Choosing a stylish, durable patio umbrella for your venue may seem like one of the simpler purchases you will make. But there are a surprising number of factors to consider.
Think about where and how you are using them. How much space do the umbrellas need to cover? What weather conditions do they need to withstand?
To help you understand your options and choose wisely, here is a helpful buying guide for outdoor umbrellas.
Cantilever vs. Classic Umbrella: Which Style Is Right For You?
With so many choices out there, how do you know which umbrella is the right umbrella? We can help!
A cantilever umbrella is easy to spot thanks to its softer, rounded canopies, making it the perfect choice for a timeless look. Practically speaking, they can be rotated or tilted to provide flexible shade all day long. People can move these umbrellas from place to place as they search for the best place to relax. Your clients can enjoy a beautiful outdoor setting and watch the kids from their lounge chairs thanks to the unobstructed view.
Market umbrellas are often larger and offer the perfect shade solution for high-traffic or windy areas. These umbrellas sit on a heavy-duty frame or center pole for more permanent outdoor stability. Frankford can easily customize these umbrellas to your liking or brand requirements, just ask!
The Right Amount of Shade
When sizing up your umbrellas for optimal coverage, take the time to measure the width and length of the area you want to cover.
For individual lounge chairs, use canopies that cover 6-7 feet.
For seating areas, pick something that gives you at least 2 feet beyond the table’s edges on all sides.
Still unsure? Our friendly, knowledgeable sales reps are happy to offer model-specific guidance to help you select the right size umbrellas.
No-Fuss Umbrellas
No one wants to see people getting frustrated when setting up or closing their umbrellas. Quick, easy, and safe mechanisms do the job well, so the relaxing can begin!
Frankford’s cantilever umbrellas—the Aurora and the Eclipse—both feature a crank lift that raises and lowers the canopy smoothly. Our larger market umbrellas—the Giant Greenwich and the Giant Monterey—use a durable rope pulley system to lift the canopy. A pin is inserted in the pole to lock it in place. Easy peasy!
Umbrellas That Stand Tall
Providing the best shade is not limited to coverage and setup. You want strong bases to do the heavy lifting to keep the umbrellas upright. Frankford offers a number of perfectly weighted bases and mounting options with additional customization available, including decorative plate covers and premium finishes.
Premium Shade. Built to Last
The most responsible thing Frankford can do is build products that last season after season. This not only spares you the aggravation of constantly maintaining these umbrellas, but it also saves you money in the long run. We accomplish this by using:
- Marine-grade fabrics that are designed to withstand intense sun and moisture for maximum UV protection and fade resistance.
- Commercial-grade frames with corrosion-resistant poles and stainless-steel hardware that can endure harsh coastal conditions.
- Replacement parts for major components, for when the unexpected happens, allowing you to fix the umbrella instead of replacing the whole thing.
For The Best Shade: Frankford Is Your Final Answer
Frankford is known for creating what we call “intelligent luxury”—quality shade that is equally smart and beautiful (and affordable!). So, when it comes to providing the best shade for your hospitality guests, retail customers, or design clients, Frankford’s cantilever and market umbrellas have you covered.
