Stay Dry with the Best Umbrella

What's the best umbrella? None of us knows. But we do know the most important considerations to make when buying an umbrella: canopy size, material, and design. Read on our comprehensive guide to find the perfect umbrella for you!

What Are the Different Types of Umbrellas?

Since the first umbrellas were created to protect against rain, there have been many different types of umbrellas. Some of the most conventional ones are mentioned below.

Traditional Style Umbrella

A traditional umbrella is a canopy supported by ribs or similar spars with a point on one end to pierce the canopy and an open area at the top. It provides protection from rain as well as the sun and often has a cover to protect the fabric from damage when it is closed. Because of its numerous designs, it has become a common item in everyday life.

Compact Umbrella

A compact umbrella is often made of a light canopy attached to a bent metal shaft. The canopy material is usually polyester, which is lightweight and water-resistant. They fold down to less than half their open size and are often called "travel umbrellas" since they can be carried in a bag or briefcase without taking up too much room. These umbrellas are best used when carrying less luggage or for small children who cannot handle the bigger version of an umbrella.

Automatic Umbrellas

Automatic umbrellas possess springs or foam cores that help them to pop open when they are released (opened). They are great for windy conditions because the fabric is much less likely destroyed like traditional umbrellas. These umbrellas are typically more expensive than their other counterparts.

Parasol

The parasol has a single long handle and can be attached to a chair or placed directly on your patio. It can be made of silk, nylon, or cotton and often has a decorated finial on top, which is sometimes removable for storage. The parasol is much more expensive and fancier than ordinary umbrellas and often used for sun protection.

Golf Umbrella

A golf umbrella is an umbrella with a leg coming out of the center of it. It is usually larger than a standard umbrella with a rib size of 26-34 inches. This type of umbrella is designed specially for people who play golf out in the sun to provide maximum protection against harmful rays, but they are now more widely used on patios and decks as well.

What Are Some Things That You Should Look for When Buying an Umbrella?

Handle

One of the most important components of a good umbrella is its handle. It should be large enough to grasp easily without having to retrain your hand from carrying a cup of coffee or hot tea. The handle shouldn't slip out of your hand, and it shouldn't be too long- which could lead to awkward arm movements or get in the way when you want to put away your umbrella.

Material

The next thing that you have to think about is the material that has been used to make the umbrella. Most umbrellas are made of nylon these days. Umbrellas made with nylon tend to be more sturdy and durable than those made with cotton or other materials, which usually take longer to dry out when they get wet. You will also find umbrellas made of plastic that provide protection against harmful sun rays but can snap easily when they encounter heavy rains and strong winds.

Ribs and Frame

Some umbrellas have fiberglass ribs or shafts, while others have metal ones with steel or aluminum frames. Generally speaking, umbrellas with fiberglass parts are lighter than the metal ones but are more prone to breaking. If you live in an area where the wind is extremely strong, then you might want to consider buying a sturdy metal-and-fiberglass umbrella for added durability.

Size

The next thing that you should consider is the size of the umbrella. The size of your umbrella should be in accordance with your height. This ensures that you purchase a suitable diameter for yourself and won't have a problem bringing it along wherever you go.

For instance, if you usually walk between buildings on campus or in large crowds of people, then a smaller-sized compact handheld umbrella will most likely be your best option out there. Larger umbrellas are helpful as they cover your whole body when you stand under them. Keep in mind that larger umbrellas are difficult to carry and will also fall down more easily in heavy winds, so it is important to choose the right size for your needs.

Umbrella Ribs

If you live in an area where it is always windy, make sure to purchase one with reinforced ribs since these types of models are much less likely to bend or break compared to most other standard umbrellas. These reinforced ribs will also most likely cause the shape of your umbrella to remain even and symmetrical throughout any type of weather. In contrast, cheap quality models may end up leaving you with an uneven canopy due to the powerful winds.

UV protection

Most people use an umbrella to protect themselves from harmful sunrays. If you're concerned about your umbrella not shielding you from the sun, choose one over your height and has about 97% UV protection.

Design

You should also consider the appearance of your new umbrella before making a purchase. After all, nobody wants to be seen carrying around an ugly-looking umbrella on a daily basis since it can be embarrassing for most people. Fortunately, there are thousands of stylish umbrellas available for purchase on the market today for any type of taste and age group. So you can always pick one that is best suited to your style.

How To Maintain Your Umbrella for Long-Lasting Use?

There are over 30,000 umbrellas lost or stolen every day! That's why it's so important to properly maintain your umbrella so that you can stay dry and avoid adding to the problem. Here are some tips on how to avoid losing your umbrella and how to care for it so that you can use it for years instead of just one rainy season.

• Don't leave your umbrella on the ground and walk away. Not only will it likely be stolen, but it will also get damaged.
• When storing your umbrella, fold your handle against the umbrella's shaft and roll or fold at least two times. This will help maintain waterproofness and help ensure that your handles don't get wet when you roll up the umbrella after use.
• When not in use, carry your umbrella in a protective or waterproof bag so that it's not exposed to the elements.
• Consider an umbrella with a hook at the side, which will allow you to hang it up when you are not using it or keep it in a bag or a car.

How Much Does an Umbrella Cost?

An umbrella costs anywhere from $15 to $300. An inexpensive, good value-for-money umbrella will cost around $20 and above. A high-end umbrella like a golf umbrella can be more than $100. The price of an umbrella is dependent on the materials it is made from and whether or not it has added features such as wind resistance or waterproof fabric. The size of the umbrella also affects the price; the larger the umbrellas, the more expensive they would be. So, it is better to look at your budget, quality, and size of an umbrella and after evaluating all these factors, buy the one that fulfils your criteria.

Umbrella FAQ

Q: Why Should I Invest in An Umbrella?

When you think of an umbrella, your first thoughts are probably of rainy days and storm winds. But umbrellas can be great accessories in hot seasons as well. That is because the effective protection they provide from ultraviolet rays is needed during bright sunlight too. For example, if you spend a lot of time outside either by work or personal activity, then it's good to have some shade provided by an easy-to-carry umbrella with you wherever you go.

Q: Is There a Difference Between Parasols and Umbrellas?

No, parasols are just umbrellas with a fancier handle and canopy. Any umbrella can be considered a parasol if it's used to shade the sun.

Q: How Long Will My New Umbrella Last?

Wind resistance, water resistance capability, and durability determine how long one can expect their umbrella to last. Generally speaking, umbrellas made from quality materials can last around five years.