The definition of market umbrellas often confuses people so that should be the first thing we clear up. Our experience is that that in Australia, the definition of what is and what isn’t a market umbrella is somewhat different than in other countries such as the US. Using the traditional definition, a market umbrella is an umbrella with a central pole, a timber frame, usually a hardwood, no valance and a wind-vent at the top to help stabilise the umbrella in breezy conditions. It’s most often open and closed using a rope and pulley system. The word “umbrella” comes from the latin word ‘umbra’ meaning shade or shadow.
Today in Australia a market umbrella typically refers to an outdoor umbrella of either timber or aluminium construction that has a movable base. It can be used in a commercial application such as a cafe or restaurant or in domestic situation such as a deck or patio. The term ‘patio umbrella’ isn’t as widely used in Australia as it is in the US. A patio umbrella refers more to an umbrella suited for domestic use and can be have a wider range of features such as side-post or cantilever design, a tilting mechanism, a wall mount or it can even be fixed to the deck.
Of course in Australia we tend to have multiple names for things and we often get people ringing us asking for anything from a brolly, tilting umbrella, sunshade, sunbrella or even a large parasol. At the end of the day with a few quick questions we narrow it down the the fact that they’re looking for some form of market umbrella either for their business or their home.
One of the main changes we’ve seen over the last decade of selling umbrellas is the trend away from timber toward aluminium market umbrellas. There are a few reasons for this, the main ones being that aluminium umbrellas are stronger and lighter in weight which makes them much easier to move them around.
if you’re considering purchasing a market umbrella for your home or workplace there are a few important things you should take into account.
- Make certain that you select a suitably stable base for your umbrella. You don’t want your umbrella to blow over if an unexpected breeze comes up. There are a range of base options available and if you are operating in an area where it is particurlarly windy you should consider using a weightplate or weight bags to add additional ballast to your umbrella.
- If you’re planning to print or brand your umbrella then ensure you select a quality canvas. It’s a false economy to print your logo onto a cheap fabric as after a few months the ink will have faded.
- Consider how you’ll be using the umbrella as well as who will be using it. If for instance you need to move the umbrella out each morning and in each evening then you need to make sure that you’re purchasing and umbrella which is easy to open and close and isn’t to heavy. One of the innovations we’ve found very useful is to supply and umbrella base trolley which takes the heavy lifting out of moving your umbrella around.
Here at Market Umbrellas you’ll find information on a range of our popular umbrellas in both aluminium frames, timber frames and in bamboo (The Bambrella. To research your preferred style further, clicking on the links below will take you through to our main page at Shade Australia. Here you’ll be able to see more detailed information including pricing. You can also order online and we can deliver your umbrella to any destination in Australia. You will also be able view a range of umbrella accessories such as umbrella bases, fabric protectors, weight bags and umbrella protection covers. If you have any questions at all feel free to give us a call on our National Free-call number: 1800 155 233.