Outdoor Umbrella Buyers Guide Australia 2022 | Everything You Need To Know

Outdoor umbrellas are an important part of your outdoor decor and one of the most popular outdoor furniture accessories for finishing off the look in your patio, deck, pool or backyard. Whether it is for home entertainment or lounging poolside, at Sydney Shade, you can find high-quality outdoor umbrellas available in a variety of sizes, styles, shapes, and forms for any need.

The best outdoor umbrellas complement the area without sacrificing style or comfort. It is important to have enough shade to keep you and your visitors comfortable and safe from the sun. Choosing the perfect type of outdoor umbrella can be difficult, but we are here to help! There are several aspects to consider, including your home environment, surroundings, budget and preferences.

Types Of Outdoor Umbrellas

There are a number of different types of outdoor umbrellas to suit a range of different needs and situations. The most common styles of outdoor umbrellas include cantilever umbrellas, wall-mounted umbrellas and centre pole umbrellas. Let’s break down how each of these differ from one another and which one might best suit your needs.

Cantilever Umbrellas

Cantilever umbrellas make great outdoor and patio umbrellas. They are highly rated for their quality and innovative technology. For starters, cantilever umbrellas are well-constructed, with the flexibility to rotate 360 degrees, and shield UV rays from all angles. 

Wall Mounted Umbrellas 

If you are looking for the type of outdoor umbrella or patio umbrella that can fit perfectly in small spaces, Wall Mounted umbrellas can be mounted on almost any wall which gives you the flexibility to sculpt your shade, ideal for patios, balconies and decks. You can also still easily remove it from its mount when not in use.

Centre Pole Umbrellas 

Built with superior quality and heavy-duty marine-grade materials, centre pole umbrellas are tough, practical, and offer heavy-duty protection for commercial places such as eateries and resorts. Centre Pole umbrellas are engineered to provide individualised shade. 

Such outdoor umbrellas are the ideal substitute for a low-cost wooden solution, as it reduces maintenance costs and repair expenses across the board, saving you money in the long term. 

Outdoor Umbrella Sizes

Have you decided on the size of your outdoor umbrella or patio umbrella? Before you decide on outdoor umbrella sizes, you will have to consider the size of the space you would like to place your outdoor umbrellas. Large outdoor umbrellas may take up too much space, which may ruin the atmosphere and entertainment experience. 

Outdoor umbrellas come in a range of different sizes. You will have to consider the space of the area that is needed for your outdoor umbrellas. Are you able to situate the chairs and the tables? Would there be enough room to walk? You are advised to add 1 to 1.5 meters to each side in order to determine the canopy diameter that provides just the right amount of shade.

For our octagonal canopy cantilever umbrellas, the canopy sizes range between 3.5m to 4.0m in diameter. The square canopy cantilever umbrellas range from 2.5m to 6.0m in diameter. The size of the canopy can often be influenced by the shape of the canopy. All of our canopy shapes offer a large range of different sizes to suit your shade needs.

Outdoor Umbrellas Shapes 

At Sydney Shade, there are different types of outdoor umbrellas designed to help provide the best shade solution. We have two outdoor umbrella shapes to choose from, namely octagonal and square shapes. There are different options for canopy sizes and configurations perfect for a variety of projects. If you need help deciding which is more suitable for your space, don’t hesitate to contact our team.

You can find more information about each of the outdoor umbrella shapes and sizes that are available here at Sydney Share by clicking on the links below:

Octagonal Canopy

Our octagonal canopies come in multiple sizes and can be configured to offer shade in different areas. Octagonal canopies do however offer a different style to that of square canopies, adding another element of customisation when it comes to the style of your outdoor umbrella.

Check out our Shadowspec Unity – Multi Canopy Cantilever Umbrella and Shadowspec Serenity – Single Canopy Rotating Cantilever Umbrella for Octagonal canopy options. 

Square Canopy

Square canopies, which give optimum shade, are another good choice for symmetrical settings. They tend to complement modern décor trends and produce a sleek, sophisticated appearance. When coupled with parallel architectural features on your deck or patio, squared canopies provide a satisfying feeling of visual symmetry.

A square umbrella is a good option if you need a lot of shade, as most square umbrella setups are able to be fitted with multiple canopies, maximising the amount of shade in your outdoor area.

You can check out our Shadowspec Unity – Multi Canopy Cantilever Umbrella and our Shadowspec Serenity – Single Canopy Rotating Cantilever Umbrella for square canopy options. 

Hexagonal Canopy

Hexagonal-shaped umbrella canopies are usually the best choice when seeking to provide shade in a smaller or cramped area, thus, hexagonal canopies are often used in conjunction with wall-mounted umbrellas. Hexagonal canopies are often used to shade smaller dining tables or lounge chairs poolside. To learn more about our hexagonal canopies, you can contact our team.

Outdoor Umbrella Fabric

After you have decided which canopy shape and size to go for, one of the most significant considerations you will make is the material of the canopy. The colour or pattern created by the fabric of the umbrella is not only the most obvious feature, but that fabric is also what protects you from the sun’s rays and the heat. Our canopy fabrics are produced from a variety of materials, each with its own set of physical properties, advantages and features.

At Sydney Shade, you will find that our outdoor umbrellas are made with premium quality fabrics. All fabrics can be cleaned, washed and are replaceable. They also offer better sun protection, having been approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation, which makes these outdoor umbrellas perfect as a shade solution for your family and friends.

Sunbrella®

The Sunbrella® fabric range is widely considered the gold standard in outdoor fabrics for both home and commercial use. It is weather-resistant and retains its colour for years. Sunbrella is a fabric that is used for outdoor umbrellas, blinds, awnings, upholstery, and cushions and comes in hundreds of plain colours and patterns. Sunbrella umbrellas can be seen in some of the world’s most opulent resorts. At Sydney Shade, we offer the full Sunbrella range as a custom colour option.

Recasens®

Our outdoor umbrellas also have the ability to come with marine-grade canopies by Recasens® and all have a high UV protection rating. This includes a 10-year residential warranty for Recasens® Acrylic Canvas. You can find more information on canopy fabrics we offer on our outdoor umbrellas and patio umbrellas in the brochures on each of our product pages.

Outdoor Umbrella Pricepoints

In general, outdoor sun umbrellas may cost anywhere from $35 for lightweight goods to more than $8,000 for strong, heavy-duty, premium choices, depending on the brand.

At Sydney Shade, our outdoor umbrellas are available at a reasonable price. However, prices depend on a few factors such as the materials used, the design of the umbrella, where the umbrella is made, the size of the outdoor umbrella, and the accessories that may come with the outdoor umbrella. 

Low budget outdoor umbrellas may provide shade, but the outdoor umbrellas here at Sydney Shade come with high-quality canopy materials that not only provide you with the ultimate shade solution but also add to the overall atmosphere of your outdoor area.

With practical and elegant ventilation opening, all of our high-quality outdoor umbrellas at Sydney Shade come with extensive warranties which reflect their durability and ensure that your umbrella lasts throughout the years. Our umbrellas at Sydney Shade seek to strike a fine balance between style and comfort. 

One of our best-selling outdoor umbrellas is the Shadowspec Serenity – Single Canopy Rotating Cantilever Umbrella, which is priced between $3,590 to $4,190 depending on its canopy size. The Serenity is designed and manufactured in New Zealand by Shadowspec, available in octagonal and square canopy sizes with a number of fabric colours to choose from including Oyster, Alpine Stone, Charcoal Tweed, Black and more!

The Shadowspec Unity – Multi Canopy Cantilever Umbrella, being our flagship multi-canopy model, is also one of our best-selling outdoor umbrellas priced between $6,790 to $12,790. It comes in octagonal and square configuration options too, with a number of fabric colours to choose from including Oyster, Alpine Stone, Charcoal Tweed, Black and more!

If you’re looking for a wall-mounted model, the Shadowspec SU3 – Wall Mounted Umbrella is one of our best-selling wall-mounted outdoor umbrellas, available from $1,580 to $1,778. The Shadowspec SU3 is manufactured from top quality anodised aluminium, stainless steel and other non-corrosive materials, that are built to last. It is available in White Sand and Charcoal colours.

The Shadowspec™ outdoor umbrellas are made of marine-grade materials, which makes them worthy of your investment. The outdoor umbrella’s innovative ShadowglideTM and lift technology make opening and closing the umbrella quick and easy. You can learn more about all of the outdoor umbrellas we offer at Sydney Shade.

Outdoor Umbrella Accessories

Lights

Lighting accessories are a great way to get more use out of your outdoor umbrella or patio umbrellas while providing more comfort and utility. LED lights produce far less heat than other standard bulbs, allowing them to be integrated into the ribs or hubs of some contemporary umbrellas. You may also buy them individually and install them on the canopy’s bottom or perimeter. Lights that can be used with outdoor umbrellas come in a variety of sizes, combinations and colours, allowing you to design the mood you wish to create.

Protective Cover

A weather-resistant umbrella cover is a “must-have” addition to every outdoor umbrella. Your Umbrella takes a beating during the day, particularly in the Summer months, so it needs to be covered while it is not in use.  All covers offered at Sydney Shade are made of durable materials, fit for purpose.

Heaters 

Some commercial and high-end outdoor umbrellas have heaters built-in to maximise comfort and utility. These rotating infrared devices are usually mounted on support struts and emit directed heat to warm the area directly beneath the canopy. The electrical wires for the warmers are hidden within the pole or mast, and they frequently share a power supply with a lighting system. Sydney Shade also offers a range of different outdoor infrared heaters that compliment any outdoor or patio umbrellas.

For more information about the best outdoor umbrellas that are available here at Sydney Shade, don’t hesitate to contact the team.