Shade solutions for summer

It is summer time again and most of us will be having lots of pool parties, braais (especially with Heritage Day coming up) and alfresco dinners on the patio.

With our climate proper UV protection definitely should be order of the day. So sunscreen in hand, we take a look at some uber cool umbrellas on the market. These will not only provide shade but also add decor pizazz.

Consider this before buying your next umbrella

According to Francois Dasonville at Paraflex SA, the following aspects should be taken into consideration when buying an umbrella for your outdoor area:

“-The Canopy / fabric colour and quality influence the overall impression of the outdoor area. It is important to choose a product appealing to your eye and a comfortable balance for your outdoor or patio theme. 

-The products you choose must be manufactured from durable, anodized aluminium, and marine grade hardware to resist the elements and provide long-lasting shade year after year. 

-The basic layout of the area you want to use the umbrella in: size of area, obstacles, walls, etc. must be considered when making your decision.

- Functionality: check that the fabrics are water-resistant so you can use the umbrella on a rainy day too.

- Safety: A UV light scale of 7/8 (UV protect rating of 80) is recommended.

- Ease of maintenance: covers should be durable, easy to remove and replace. It must also be machine washable. 

- Protection: a protection cover is a small investment which will give your umbrella a longer lifespan.

- User-friendly: an umbrella is not a fixture and should be taken down or closed in windy conditions. It has to be easy for you, who will be doing this.  

- Value for money: durability stems from quality materials from a reputable manufacturer. 

- Budget: Umbrellas can be expensive, especially when you are looking for something that will last you a while and that would be able to withstand the test of time. So decide what you want to spend before you go shopping.”

Different types of umbrellas

Paraflex has the following types of umbrellas available:  

• Designer Umbrella: The frame consists of aluminium, and the base mechanism is stainless steel. The fabric collection offers proven colour-fastness and UV resistance. It is retractable and can be easily stored into a protective cover, which is included in the purchase price. This elegant shade maker that was also inspired by nature is ideal as a windbreaker, while providing cover shade that can be adjusted in height. Ideal for entertaining on the patio.

• Aluminium Tilting umbrellas: are lightweight, strong and do not rust. Their best feature is that you can tilt it up and down depending on where the sun will be. This will allow you to adjust the shade without having to rearrange your tables and chairs as the sun moves. For a larger area, a ‘multi-pole’ can be use, consisting of one pole and up to 5 frames. This item will work well for pool areas and patio’s.

• Wall-mounted Aluminium Umbrella: or “Wallflex” is a product of Belgian ingenuity. The centrepiece of this unique design is the flexible aluminium arm which holds the shortened centre pole, works much like a human arm, allowing the umbrella to be tilted and rotated in an almost infinite adjustment range. Mounted to a wall, the umbrella alleviates the need of a pole in the middle and folds up easily against the wall. 

• Offset Umbrella: have a square flat based canopy with side supporting pole which is positioned on one side. It helps improve accessibility to the user and adds a unique style element to the equation. One can find a variety of styles and designs when it comes to offset umbrellas. Your requirements for your patio and preferences play an important role in making such a choice. 

• Lounger Umbrella: specially designed to cover the length of the lounger can easily be adjusted to ensure you are covered by UV Protection shade. A popular choice next to pools, as the clean, smooth style compliments the summer pool atmosphere. 

• Shade Sails: Ingenua Shade Sail are dynamic and effective. It is a complete system, including sails, removable poles, and wall tracks and mounting options! Attach one or more of five sail shapes to the wall and pole tracks, then simply slide the sails up and down the tracks to block the sun as it moves through the sky. This product is perfect for both commercial and residential settings alike. Ideal for when friends are coming over and you need that extra shade.

For more information, please visit www.paraflex.co.za or www.outdoorumbrella.co.za

Cape Umbrellas has the following products available:

• DAVINCI: The tried and tested pulley system umbrella, the DaVinci Range is available in aluminium, wood, stainless steel or a combinations of these components.

• POWERBRELLA: The umbrella of the future, no strings, no pulleys, no hassle. The Powerbrella has all the attributes of the DaVinci range but with a patented power assisted opening system, bringing ease of use with the strength of the DaVinci Range. 

• CANTILEVER: The top of the range Cantilever umbrella. Finished in a stainless steel and aluminium frame with stainless steel and wooden canvas supports. 

• T-RANGE: An all wood construction using Plantation grown Karrigum wood. Beautifully crafted wooden hubs with all stainless steel bracelets and fixing bolts. 

Cape Umbrellas are generally fitted with two types of opening mechanisms: 

Automatic lifting system: This consists of a unique worldwide patented mechanism. Automatic Lifting Systems provides effortless opening and closing of the umbrella.

To open the umbrella, one simply lifts the umbrella’s struts until the A.L.S. takes over, lifting the umbrella until it is fully open. No holding pin is required as the hub locks into place automatically.

To close the umbrella, one simply pulls down on the hub until the A.L.S. takes over and closes the umbrella.Pulley system: This consists of a double pulley and rope opening mechanism with an attached stainless steel holding pin.

Pulley system: This consists of a double pulley and rope opening mechanism with an attached stainless steel holding pin.

To open the umbrella, one simply pulls on the rope until the umbrella is open and then insert the holding pin into the pole to secure the canvas top.

To close the umbrella, one simply pulls the rope, removes the holding pin and lets the umbrella close automatically.

Maintaining your umbrella:

Cape Umbrellas recommends that umbrella frames are washed down once a month with soapy water and that the canvas top be washed off every 2 months with either a high pressure hose or a brush with soapy water.

“Caution should be taken to prevent the umbrella blowing over and it is best, if in any doubt, to close and secure the umbrellas. Please don’t leave your umbrellas unattended, especially in windy conditions.”

Interesting facts about umbrellas

According to Wikipedia.org umbrellas have certain uses other than shading us from the sun or rain:

• In photography: Umbrellas with a reflective inside are used by photographers as a diffusion device when employing artificial lighting, and as a glare shield and shade, most often in portrait situations. Some umbrellas are shoot-through umbrellas, meaning the light goes through the umbrella and is diffused, rather than reflecting off the inside of the umbrella.

• For protection against attackers: In March 2011 media outlets reveled that French president Nicolas Sarkozy has started using a £10,000 armor-plated umbrella to protect him from attackers.

• To show honour to a person: In several Oriental Orthodox Churches, such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, umbrellas are used liturgically to show honor to a person (such as a bishop) or a holy object.

• In religious ceremonies: Some religions believe that a wedding can only be conducted when the heads of the bride and groom are covered. For this reasons umbrellas or canopies are used for garden weddings or weddings on the beach.

A large umbrella is displayed in each of the Basilicas of Rome, and a cardinal bishop who receives his title from one of those churches has the privilege of having an umbrella carried over his head in solemn processions.