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Patios are a welcome addition to nearly any home. Having a patio is great for creating an outdoor living space for grilling, dining, lounging, and entertaining guests. However, most people don’t enjoy sitting in direct sunlight when dining al fresco. Luckily, you can upgrade your patio with a patio umbrella to make things more pleasant! Different patio umbrellas are good for different situations, and in this article, we’re going to look at 5 of the best patio umbrellas for strong winds.
A windy day can end up blowing over your patio plants, as well as your patio umbrella, or even blowing it away! This outcome is obviously not ideal, so when selecting patio furniture, you will likely want to purchase one of the best patio umbrellas for strong wind. We will list several options in this post as well as what to consider when making your decision.
Best patio umbrellas for strong winds
Our top overall picks:
- PURPLE LEAF 11 ft Windproof Patio Umbrella – Premium pick
- EliteShade Sunbrella 3 Tier Patio Umbrella – Runner-up
1. BLUU Olefin 3 Tier Patio Umbrella
This option is a great, cost effective choice for your patio umbrella. The three tier design allows wind to pass through the top, rather than completely blocking the wind, which will help it from toppling over. It is reinforced with an iron pole and iron ribs.
For best results, this umbrella should be paired with a sturdy base or secured with a patio table. Users report that this particular umbrella can stand up to strong, consistent coastal winds. Not only that, but it comes in several colors- perfect for matching to your patio decor.
Features:
- Sturdy pole and ribs with strong joints made from zinc, aluminium and iron
- Easy to use design- umbrella is opened by using a crank handle
- Change position of canopy to block sun by simply pressing a button and adjusting to your liking
In addition to the features listed above, this company offers a one year warranty on your umbrella. You will also receive a three year warranty on the canopy on your umbrella, as Bluu ensures that their canopy fabric is resilient to color bleaching from the sun.
2. EliteShade Sunbrella 3 Tier Umbrella
Popular pick
Similar to the previous option, this umbrella uses a three tier design to optimize airflow and increase sturdiness against strong gusts of wind. This blueprint allows for gusts to move through rather than against the umbrella and therefore will help to prevent it from being blown over. EliteShade offers two makes of this product, a nine foot and an 11 foot option.
The frame of the EliteShade Sunbrella is claimed to be up to 20% stronger than that of their competitors. It boasts a strong, 1.5 inch aluminum pole and eight rust free ribs. You can select from 13 different color options, ensuring that there really is something for everybody!
Features:
- High performance acrylic fabric, making it fade-proof
- Crank handle for easy opening and closing
- With the press of the button, you can adjust the angle of your umbrella
Sunbrella umbrellas boast a sturdy design for a fair price. Not only that, but the specialized fabric they use will keep your umbrella bright and the color pigmented- even after sitting in the direct sunlight!
3. BLUU BANYAN Hanging Umbrella
Unlike the first two umbrellas on this list, this particular option has an offset design. It is meant to hang over your table or chairs, rather than be inserted into your patio table. However, in order to make this umbrella stable, you need to purchase a stand or place a few sandbags over the base.
The floating design of the canopy gives this umbrella a breezy, beach villa-like feel. That being said, it is meant to move with the wind, so if this is something that would bother you, then another option may be better. Nonetheless, this option will stand up to wind and will remain sturdy even with a consistent ocean breeze.
Features:
- Velcro straps along perimeter of canopy that can be used to hang string lights or decor
- High quality canopy fabric that is resistant to sun bleaching
- Easy to adjust design, allows you to change angle quickly and open and close umbrella effortlessly
Given that this umbrella requires a base and can not be attached to your table, it really is crucial that you get a strong, heavy base to attach it to. As long as you do this, it should be just fine in the wind! But reconsider opening your umbrella in extreme winds.
4. Giantex Patio Umbrella
The Giantex patio umbrella is unbeatable in terms of value. It is the least expensive item on this list, yet it still receives many positive reviews from consumers that are impressed with its ability to stand up to the wind. It can be put in the middle of your patio table, or stand on its own when attached to a stand.
One attractive aspect of this umbrella is it is water-resistant. While you are unlikely to stay dry in a thunderstorm under it, it will certainly suffice during a light drizzle- meaning that you don’t have to let a little rain ruin your time outdoors.
Features:
- A sturdy frame made out of alloy steel
- Easy to open with crank handle
- Adjust angle of umbrella with press of button
This umbrella is proof that expensive does not always mean a better product. It comes in five stylish colors and the canopy is made of durable fabric that will keep you shaded and dry! This umbrella does not come with a stand, so this will have to be purchased separately.
5. PURPLE LEAF Large Cantilever Umbrella
*Premium choice
This option is the most expensive to make the list. It comes in four different sizes ranging from 11 feet to 13 feet, making it an attractive option for those that like to entertain many guests on their patio. Like the BLUU BANYAN umbrella, it is a hanging umbrella with an offset design.
This umbrella is best used with a very heavy base, however the same company offers a specialized base that can be filled with sand or water that can be purchased along with it. The umbrella is made with heavy-duty, durable materials, which is to be expected for the price.
Features:
- Double tier canopy design
- Easy to crank handle to open and rotate umbrella
- All aluminum frame, treated with a rust-free paint
This is the perfect umbrella for people who love to entertain guests outside. It’s canopy filters out many of the sun’s rays and is very water resistant. They even offer a three year warranty! Not only that, but the canopy can be easily tilted and rotated 360 degrees with the touch of a button in order to angle it to shade you and your guests from the sun.
What to consider when purchasing an umbrella
1. Offset or not?
There are two main designs of patio umbrellas. The typical design features a straight pole that is meant to be placed in your patio table or in the center of your set-up. On the other hand, there is the offset design, which features a pole that is curved.
The offset design is more or less made to hang over your set-up, rather than be featured at the center of your patio furniture. The offset design brings a level of elegance that your typical umbrella doesn’t, and they can often be found at beach resorts or ocean side hotels.
However, an offset umbrella tends to need a very heavy and very sturdy base. If you are looking for an umbrella that you can move around easily and take up and put down quickly and effortlessly, then you may want to stay away from an offset umbrella.
2. Tiers in the canopy
An umbrella with multiple tiers is more likely to allow wind to pass through rather than catch wind and topple over. These tiers are essentially gaps in between layers of the canopy. Not only do they help prevent the umbrellas from blowing away, but it will also actually help hot air from getting trapped under your umbrella and keep you cool.
3. Canopy fabric
The type of fabric used can actually be a factor in how well your umbrella will withstand the wind. Materials that tend to be a bit heavier, like canvas or vinyl will be more durable in the wind over more lightweight textiles such as cotton.
And if you live somewhere where the sun is always shining, and you intend to have your patio umbrella out for most of the year, then you will definitely want to go for an umbrella that has a high quality, sun resistant fabric. Fabrics made with acrylic tend to be more resistant to the elements. Additionally, some companies will offer a warranty on their canopy, which is certainly an added perk.
Patio Umbrella FAQs
Can patio umbrellas get wet?
Yes! Patio furniture, like umbrellas are made to be outside in the elements- which often includes rain. However, not all umbrellas will repel water the same way, so your umbrella may not do an amazing job of keeping you dry during inclement weather.
Patio umbrellas are often made with durable fabric and rust-resistant materials, allowing for you to enjoy them year round. However, if you suspect that you will only use yours during certain times of the year, then it is advisable to put it away when it is not being used.
Can patio umbrellas withstand wind?
Patio umbrellas can withstand wind, but only to a point. Umbrellas can act like a sail in the wind, which can send them tumbling away with a large enough gust. The options listed above are some of the more highly rated, sturdy umbrellas, but it is of course impossible to guarantee that an umbrella will be 100% windproof!
If you are concerned about your umbrella in the wind, then it is recommended to close the umbrella and/or take it down on particularly windy days. Additionally, a strong, heavy base goes a long way in ensuring that it does not blow away. You should of course always take your patio umbrella down during hurricanes, tornados, or other extreme wind events.
Do Patio umbrellas block UV rays?
Patio umbrellas can block UV rays. There are certain brands that use fabric that can block nearly 100% of harmful UV rays, while others may block anywhere between 75% and 99% of the sun’s rays.
How much wind can a patio umbrella take?
The amount of wind an umbrella can withstand really depends on the canopy, the stand or how it is secured, and the frame of the umbrella. For example, a tiered canopy with a heavy stand and a frame made of a sturdy metal would hold up much better than a solid canopy, held up by a stand not reinforced and a flimsy frame.
Most umbrellas can withstand occasional winds of up to 20+ mph. However, sustained winds over this speed are likely to blow over most umbrellas.
Conclusion
Shopping for a patio umbrella can be overwhelming, as there truly are endless options. You can find options of many colors, shapes, styles, and prices. With some ranging from the 50-60$ range to some setting you back several hundreds of dollars. However, what you choose really depends on your preferences and how you intend to use your patio umbrella.
If you live in an area where you only use your patio at certain times of year, like in the summer, then you would most likely be well suited with a less expensive, typical design like the BLUU Olefin or Giantex umbrella. This allows for an easy set up and take down, according to the season.
However, if you live in a warmer climate where you tend to use your outdoor space year round, then you ideally want something that is supported by a strong and heavy base, essentially making your umbrella a permanent fixture on your patio. For these situations, the PURPLE LEAF or BLUU BANYAN would be more appropriate. You may also want to consider a brand that offers a warranty on their canopy, as you can expect yours to get a lot of sun over time.
Overall, when trying to select a patio umbrella that is best for strong winds, it is important to be realistic. Know that no umbrella is truly wind-resistant, but that there are precautions you can take to make sure your umbrella won’t be damaged or lost due to the wind. However, all of the options on this list are high quality and should stand up to wind just fine so long as you take care of them.
