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Well, summer is here and if your yard could use a bit of sprucing up you are not alone. The winter months can be harsh to our patio furniture and if you don’t have a lot of extra money lying around there are several easy ways to renew your backyard. One of the most popular outdoor accessories is the patio umbrella. Today, your choices are not limited to a green or beige patio umbrella for your backyard. Outdoor umbrellas come in many shapes, sizes and colors which can make a bold statement. From modern to traditional you can find a perfect match to your existing outdoor d?cor. Here are some information on how to find the perfect patio umbrella for your needs.

First, you should figure out what size patio umbrella you require. This can be completed with the help of a tape measure. If you need your outdoor umbrella to cover a table what you should do is pull your chairs out away from the table to where they would be if guests were sitting in them. Then take your measuring tape, have one person hold one end at the middle of your table and then walk around your table and chairs writing down the distance you are from the center of the table. For example, if you have a round table and you are measuring out at a distance of 4? feet out from the center of your table, you have to double that distance which would mean that you would need a 9 foot patio umbrella. If the patio table is oval and you are 4 feet out on one side and 5? feet out on the end you will need at least an 8 by 11 oval patio umbrella.

Now that you have determined the size and shape umbrella you will need you need to determine the style. The two most popular styles are wood or aluminum, and it is mostly personal preference as to which one you select for your backyard. Aluminum patio umbrellas tend to be lighter than wood umbrellas which make them a bit easier to handle. They also tend to have cranking mechanisms that make them easier to open and close. Wood patio umbrellas have a very traditional and elegant look and are a nice addition to existing wood furniture. They usually have manual lift systems or pulley systems to open and close them so there are fewer mechanical parts.

After you decide on which type of umbrella to purchase you will start to look at fabrics and colors. The most popular fabrics are Sunbrella, Olefin and Suncrylic. Each one has their own benefits whether it is price, warranty or that it is easy to clean. Sunbrella fabrics are the most expensive because they are marine-grade and come with a 3-year warranty against fading. Olefin is a less expensive fabric that is easy to clean and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. Suncrylic is a solution-dyed acrylic fabric that also easy to maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. When deciding which fabric is best for you, the most important thing to take into account is your type of weather and how long during the year it will be outside. If you reside in a desert climate and tend to use your patio umbrella throughout the year, you may want to think about investing in Sunbrella fabric. If you are in a milder climate and only use your umbrella for a couple of months out of the year you can buy the Suncrylic or Olefin fabrics.

And don’t forget to choose a color that speaks to you. There are so many of color choices available today, so go ahead and get a bit creative with your outdoor umbrella.