One of the critical parts of a patio umbrella is the fabric used for the canopy. This piece is much more than mere decoration. It has practical aspects as well. When choosing fabrics, it's never a good idea to just shrug your shoulders, or pick the one that 'looks right.' That road leads to future misery as your umbrella fails to meet you needs. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine what you'll need:
1) Do you burn easily under the sun? If you have fair skin, it's important to check how much UV radiation the fabric actually blocks.
2) Is your home located in a damp area that has a high risk of mold and mildew? Different fabrics have different mildew resistance, so this is something you should definitely look into.
3) How frequently will you use your patio umbrella? If the answer is all the time, then make sure the fabric has color fade protection.
4) Think you'll need to clean the umbrella frequently? Different fabrics hold up to this kind of treatment differently, so make sure you know before you buy.
Now that you have some idea of what you need, let's take a brief look at the basic categories which are out there.
Olefin Fabrics
Olefin is a strong a durable synthetic fabric often used for patio umbrellas. It has good mildew and stain resistance and is easy to clean. The color fade resistance for this fabric is not as good as for others, and as such it's only guaranteed for up to one year, typically. Because of this, though, Olefin is usually a cheaper choice. If you don't use your patio umbrella often, then Olefin will do the job just fine.
Acrylic Fabrics
Acrylic is another synthetic material which is made from highly processed polyester. This has the effect of strengthening and smoothing the material, allowing these fabrics to last roughly 50% longer than other synthetics. This causes them to cost a bit more, but they're still cheaper than the cream of the crop. Acrylic is a good solution for moderately frequent use or if you want to make a lasting investment without breaking the bank.
Sunbrella Brand Fabrics
Sunbrella is a specific brand of patio umbrella fabric which is widely held as the best available. It'll cost you a pretty penny, but it's more than worth it. Tests on Sunbrella fabrics show that they only let a mere 2% of UV rays through, meaning it's the equivalent of SPF 50 sun tan lotion. In addition, it's got great mold and mildew resistance. The color is guaranteed to last for at least three years, likely more if you only use your umbrella on a seasonal basis. This material is highly recommended if you can afford to make the investment.
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