Posted in articles on 08/18/2009 02:19 am by Jimbo
We have all these great spaces for our new patio umbrellas but where do we put them? What works and what doesn’t? What do we need to consider when we place them? This article will answer these questions and a few suggestions on how to figure your outdoor space. There can be a real element of design when creating your space and, given the size and visual impact of these umbrellas we need to be careful how they are integrated in these spaces.
The best place to start is to draw picture of the area you are working in. Put in buildings, plants, bushes, tables, etc. Don’t be afraid of too much detail. Use colors and textures to help your mind get a good grasp on the area. Next cut out some circles from colored paper the scaled size of umbrellas this will allow us to move them around on the drawing. This isn’t a bad idea to do with tables and chairs. There are a lot of choices at this point. Color and size are the obvious things to consider. Do you want the patio umbrellas to stand out or do you want them to blend with the natural surroundings. If you have a beautiful flower bed with vibrant colors you don’t want your eye drawn to a pink umbrella. If you have an outside bar area that is drab, find a color or logo umbrella that you can hang decorative light from.
Some of our plants can’t handle too much sun in certain times of the year and we can group a few of these below the umbrella to allow them to flourish. I don’t think we see this visual effect enough and can limit us on our choices of flowers we are able to grow and display. Similarly protection from the rain and other elements can be achieved using the same technique. Try to keep symmetry in mind and how your eye is drawn to the proper details of your area. Walls, trees, shrubs can all have an impact how it will work.
Sometimes we have a confined space to work with and some other aspects need to be taken into consideration. Along with the diameter of the umbrella, color can make it appear larger or smaller. The height if the post is also a factor. Higher up may block an ugly telephone pole while a lower post may create a more intimate setting. Either way, study your area and make your choice before you buy. You may want to leave the tag on it in case you want to return.
Posted in articles on 08/18/2009 01:30 am by Jimbo
Your wife has just brought home two beautiful patio umbrellas and wants you to put them on the patio. This article talks about how to take them back and get the right ones without making her mad and getting the right stands to do the job proper. We will discuss temporary versus permanent installation as well as solid versus articulating stands. Hopefully we will help you with the process and help understand how one differs from the other.
If you want to move your patio umbrellas around you will obviously be looking at some sort of temporary solution. Actually it is probably a good idea to start with moveable stands to see whether you like the location and if your new umbrellas are giving you the shade and protection in the different times of the day and the seasons you will be using them. After you establish the best placement then you can decide if you want to permanently attach the post or stay with a portable system.
A portable stand holder can be purchased at any home improvement store, department store, and sometimes grocery stores. They can be plastic, filled with sand or water, or decorative metal. The key is they must be heavy! It doesn’t take much wind to knock over a 9 foot umbrella and it can send a whole table of food flying or cause an injury that can send you to the after hour urgent care clinic. The wider the better and chose one with a good clamping device to hold the post firmly in place. If it goes through a table it is all the better. The table acts as an extra stabilizer in foul or windy weather.
If you have a place to permanently mount your patio umbrellas there are still some items to consider. A lot of the umbrellas, being marketed today, have the ability to articulate and allow extra tilt for the setting sun. This is a great feature but puts even more of a strain on your anchoring system. For these types of posts I always recommend extra support or permanent mounting. A wood deck only requires a simple hole and a wood block to give some great support. You should penetrate the wood by 8 inches to a foot for good support and a clamping means so a strong gust of wind doesn’t send it flying. Concrete is the same but tougher to drill and tougher to hold in place. It usually takes a metal or plastic insert to hold the post in place. No matter the method, when you are done using your umbrella, be sure to collapse it to protect it from any damage. A cover is nice to protect the fabric from fading.
Posted in articles on 08/17/2009 10:38 pm by Jimbo
Want a fast, durable, inexpensive solution for your outside living needs? Resin patio furniture may be just what you are looking for. In this article we will discuss the types, colors, and other options of this versatile furniture. We will find the things too look for when picking out and buying and the best places to shop.
What is resin patio furniture? Typically a manufacturer uses a mold they inject plastic resin into to create tables, chairs, and a ton of other products. The benefit is this can be done extremely inexpensive and offers a large amount of choices for size, colors, and even materials. The resin material can be cheap plastic or can incorporate epoxies and fibers creating an incredibly durable product. I prefer this product in the high end line because of the looks and the longevity.
The less expensive table and chairs can be used for special gatherings or other occasional use but typically fail after prolonged repeated exposure to the elements and weight stress. It typically has a lower weight capacity than more expensive brands and I have seen more than one fold under the pressure of my 250lb frame. None the less, everyone has a few of these sitting around the house. The other great feature is the ability to stack the chairs, making storing them for the off season far more compact.
If you have ever gone to a beach resort you have probably experienced the commercial grade of resin patio furniture. It can still look sparse but the durability is amazing. The adjustable loungers available pool side offer the utmost in comfort if contoured and only have a simple beach towel draped over them. Add a cushion and you may find yourself waking up to a nice sun burn. These commercial units last for years, even the harshest of environments.
Spend the money and you can go a step further and purchase your resin furniture with simulated wood grain in colors from natural cedar to black. There are a lot of choices when it comes to patterns and colors. If you are planning on keeping your furniture for years, you may want to make the initial investment for the higher quality furniture now and change out cushions seasonally to enhance your outdoor living space. Look for quality, durability, and warranty on any of these products any you won’t have to think about it again for years.