If you’re lucky enough to live in a sunny climate and to have a restaurant with outdoor space, then you will need commercial patio umbrellas. Patio umbrellas need to complement the restaurant chairs and tables you use outside.
They also need to be functional and provide shade for your patrons. And the umbrella stands need to be stable yet unobtrusive so as not to distract from the look of the patio and not to be a dangerous obstacle on the ground.
Patio umbrellas add a stylish element to your outdoor restaurant space, and they can be used as a design element to create the atmosphere you want for your restaurant. Let’s dive a little deeper into the world of restaurant patio umbrellas.
Choosing the Right Restaurant Patio Umbrella Canopy
Patio umbrellas are exposed to the elements, so they need to be durable, and resistant to UV rays. If they are not made specifically for outdoor commercial use the material may fade in the sun, or become thin and worn in the rain.
Umbrella canopies must be made of colorfast fabric that won’t fade but they also need to protect your customers from harmful UV rays.
- Olefin – (Polypropylene fiber), is a soft, lightweight woven fabric that comes in many colors. Olefin canopies usually come with a one-year warranty.
- Pacifica – A polyester fabric that is solution-dyed, durable, and heavy-duty. It comes in many colors. Pacifica umbrella canopies usually come with a two-year warranty.
- Sunbrella – This fabric is made with 100% solution-dyed acrylic. It is dyed before the yarn is spun so the pigment goes all the way through the fibers of the fabric and is less likely to fade. It is durable, low maintenance, mold-resistant, and water-resistant. Sunbrella comes in a huge range of colors, including stripes. Sunbrella umbrella canopies usually come with a five-year warranty.
Opt for a Sturdy Restaurant Patio Umbrella Stand
Choose from the many types and styles of umbrella stands. They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and styles. Make sure that the stand suits the umbrella both in style and color as well as in size.
A small lightweight stand cannot hold a heavy commercial umbrella canopy. Patio umbrella bases can be a hazard for serving staff and customers. If you have limited outdoor space and the tables and chairs are packed in tightly, then opt for a compact umbrella base. Large umbrella stands are not only unattractive, but they are also a safety hazard.
Another point to take into account is whether you will be moving your umbrellas around. If your restaurant has a dynamic outdoor area and you will be frequently rearranging umbrellas, then the stands need to be easily movable. There is even the option of a commercial umbrella base with wheels.
- Galvanized silver base
- Cast iron base (round and square)
- Steel bases (round and square)
- With wheels
- With casters
Get Stylish and Strong Commercial Umbrella Poles
Sturdy aluminum restaurant umbrella poles can be given an attractive finish to complement the rest of your restaurant furniture. For example, aluminum umbrella poles could have a mat white, silver, stone black, or bronze finish.
If you have a fresh, natural, chic, or country, rustic style restaurant then wooden umbrella poles will fit in perfectly. You can also think about matching the umbrella pole material to the material the restaurant chairs and tables are made of.
- Hardwood
- Aluminum
Push or Pulley?
There is a range of commercial patio umbrellas to choose from. Some are opened with a pushing mechanism like a regular umbrella. Others have a pulley that makes it easier to open large commercial umbrellas that are particularly heavy.
When choosing your restaurant patio umbrellas, consider whether you will be opening and closing your umbrellas every day, whether you will be moving them indoors or storing them at the end of the day, or whether they can remain open 24/7.
- Push
- Pulley
The Six Basic Considerations When Choosing Restaurant Patio Umbrellas
- Budget
- Function
- Appearance
- Durability
- Size and shape
- Quality
