Patio umbrellas provide the perfect amount of class and comfort for you and your family during summer. But long gone are the days of the basic umbrella, that simple design of manual movement used to keep the sun out. Today's patio umbrellas are hi-tech affairs decked out with the latest gizmos that make your outdoor experience all the more enjoyable.
Auto Tilt patio umbrellas
The most basic but possibly the best overall development in the evolution of patio umbrellas has been the auto tilt function. In the old days, umbrellas had to be opened manually using a rope pulley and were secured with a peg. Today's umbrellas save your back the hardship by opening with an easy to use crank. Likewise, umbrellas of yesterday only had two positions: open and close.
But modern auto tilt umbrellas can be adjusted in 360 degrees to accommodate shade anywhere you need it. Once the umbrella is as an open position, simply keep cranking (or in some cases, use the collar tilt) and the umbrella will begin tilting to the side.
Solar powered lighted patio umbrellas
While keeping you cool in the shade, your umbrella keeps out the sun. Why not catch some of those rays and put them to good use? A solar powered lighted patio umbrella is equipped with a top solar panel that attracts sunlight during the day, charging a Ni-Mh battery that runs the LED light underneath. High end models operate at an 85% efficiency rate to stay lit longer.
Once it's dark out, the built in LED lights along
the ribs of the umbrella can be flipped on with an easy on/off switch. The ambient glow is perfect for evenings outdoors, and it's all without the use of wires and outlets. Keep your energy costs lower while being more eco-friendly!
Wall mounted patio umbrellas
In the past there were two basic stands for patio umbrellas: the table base and the freestanding base. The table base meant that you had to buy a table with a hole in the center to be able to accommodate an umbrella. This means you lose table space while staring at a giant pole sitting across from you.
The second kind of umbrella stand is a heavy, freestanding base usually made out of concrete or something comparable. Not only are these extremely heavy, but they get in the way and can be easily tripped over. Today's mounts keep your umbrella close enough for use but far enough that they are out of the way.
Wall mounted patio umbrellas are a popular sight across Europe and are now beginning to grow in popularity in the States. They mount easily to walls via an adjustable aluminum arm and feature a track so that you can adjust the height of the umbrella as well. When not in use, the canopies zip conveniently into the frame of the umbrella itself and pushes back flush with the wall.
Many of these developments have about as a result of commercial usage of patio umbrellas at pools, bistros, etc., but these features are just as appreciated in your own backyard for private use.
Author Resource:-
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes about Patio Umbrellas and Outdoor Patio Umbrellas.
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