The Best Selection of Outdoor Patio Umbrellas in San Diego

Due to the year-round sunshine and favorable weather conditions, residents of Southern California often spend time outdoors on their patios. Having a patio umbrella isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity to protect you from soaking up too much sunshine and harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer with prolonged exposure. If you’re on the hunt for high-quality outdoor patio umbrellas in San Diego or the surrounding areas, Greathouse Furniture & Patio features a large selection. Patio umbrellas are beneficial in many ways. Below, our experts discuss why no home can afford to be without a beautiful outdoor patio umbrella. We encourage you to browse our collections.

What Are the Advantages of Having an Outdoor Umbrella?

Outdoor patio umbrellas help keep you cool without glaring UV rays, often making outdoor temps feel up to 10 degrees cooler. However, they offer homeowners so much more than just shade. Outdoor patio umbrellas make it possible to use and appreciate your pool, backyard, garden, or patio area during all four seasons, shielding you from the sun, rain, high winds, snow, and more. They give people some much-needed privacy from the prying eyes of their neighbors. They also protect your pets and mobile devices from overheating outdoors, while also preventing your furniture from fading or warping due to elemental exposure. Finally, outdoor patio umbrellas just look nice. They make any setting look and feel more inviting, encouraging more people to go outdoors to relax or socialize away from their televisions.

Outdoor Patio Umbrellas Come in Many Shapes and Sizes

Today’s outdoor patio umbrellas come in various styles, shapes, sizes, colors, weights, and materials to suit any personal preference and budget. It’s essential to choose the best umbrella for your needs to maximize your enjoyment and investment. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the most popular types:

• Cantilever Umbrellas – Cantilever umbrellas are like the Cadillacs of outdoor patio umbrellas with all the bells and whistles. They offer a superior range of motion and are often the deluxe patio umbrellas you see outside five-star hotels, resorts, and restaurants. To maximize your shade enjoyment, you can adjust a cantilever umbrella up or down or from side to side. Cantilever umbrellas are usually constructed of heavy-duty materials to prevent damage from strong gusts of wind and anything else Mother Nature has in store.
• Tilting Umbrellas– A tilting patio umbrella allows you to make adjustments to the umbrella’s angle as the sun changes positions, so you can enjoy shade without having to play musical chairs or lift the entire bulky umbrella. Adjusting the umbrella’s angle is so much easier than adjusting everyone else’s position on your patio. Tilting umbrellas are similar to cantilever umbrellas but are a little more limited in their range of motion. However, they still make a practical choice if you can’t afford a deluxe model.
• Table and Free-Standing Umbrellas– This is probably the most popular type of outdoor patio umbrella that many people visualize. Most patio tables have a standard-sized hole in the center to accommodate an umbrella’s pole. If you plan on dining al fresco, you should consider the possibility of investing in an outdoor dining set with a free-standing patio umbrella. Many patio dining tables come with umbrellas, but you can also shop around for ones that may complement your home’s aesthetics better or as replacements should yours ever become damaged.
• Market Umbrellas – Market umbrellas are ideal for commercial usage. This type of outdoor umbrella originated in Europe, where outdoor street fairs and markets became very popular. While not every merchant or vendor could afford a storefront or tent, they could usually buy a market umbrella to set up over their wares. Most market umbrellas are made of wood or metal attached to a heavy-duty fabric shade or canopy and a base at the bottom. While market umbrellas are typically octagonal, some can be customized in square or rectangular shapes.
• Specialty Umbrellas – If you’re looking for something a little more unique, we also carry many specialty patio umbrellas at Greathouse Furniture & Patio. Sail umbrellas have a distinct tri-cornered design like the sails on a boat. Stylish pagoda umbrellas are shaped more like parasols with curved tops and crook handles. No matter what style, shape, or size patio umbrella you want, you can rest assured our specialty umbrellas feature durable fabrics for the best rain and UV protection, so you can enjoy sitting on your patio in any kind of weather.

How to Select the Right Sized Umbrella and Umbrella Base

For the best results, we suggest measuring your patio table. You want to ensure your patio umbrella dimensions and base diameter are as accurate as possible for the best stability. If you are going to have a freestanding market or tilting umbrella, the minimum weight used should be 75lbs to prevent it from blowing over in a strong wind (most umbrella warranties do not cover wind damage). If the umbrella will be going inside a table, the minimum base weight should be 50lbs. Depending upon where you live, heavier bases can be worth the investment to protect your umbrella. Picking out your patio umbrella in person will ensure you get everything to the dimensions you prefer without any disappointments.

How to Select the Best Patio Table Umbrella Materials

Outdoor umbrellas come in various materials, including fiberglass, wood, and aluminum. If you live in a region that’s super windy at times, you may want to select a fiberglass umbrella that’s a bit more flexible. Aluminum is another lightweight but sturdy outdoor umbrella material we recommend often. When it comes to umbrella fabrics, choose one that is waterproof, UV-resistant, or all-weatherproof to preserve your investment for the longest time possible. A 100% solution-dyed fabric, such as those offered by Sunbrella® or Outdura™, is the most durable outdoor umbrella fabric money can buy. It’s guaranteed not to fade, mildew, or mold, and it’s very easy to clean.

Stop by Our San Diego Showroom to Browse Furniture

Do you have any other questions about outdoor patio umbrellas? San Diego’s Greathouse Furniture & Patio would love to hear from you. Browse our top-of-the-line indoor and outdoor home furnishings online, or stop by our showroom to see what we have in person today. We offer financing options!