How to Replace a Cantilever Umbrella Canopy

Imagine this: you’re sitting in your yard under your trusty offset umbrella, enjoying the hot summer air without succumbing to sun’s brutal rays. Suddenly, you realize your arm’s hot, and lo and behold, a UV laser beam has made its way through your umbrella’s canopy, directly onto your delicate skin.

It’s annoying, but there will come a time when you need a cantilever umbrella canopy replacement. Over time, the cloth can become faded or torn, and you’ll want it to be in the best shape possible when you’re outside.

Don’t wait until you’ve got a broken canopy to learn how to put on a new one. Keep reading for a thorough guide on how to replace a side pole umbrella canopy.

Purchase the Correct Cantilever Umbrella Replacement Canopy

To make things easier, stick to the same brand and product if you can. However, we know manufacturers are sometimes fickle and change up their stock on a whim, so unfortunately, you may not be able to find an identical replacement.

If this happens and you need to look elsewhere, you’ll have to first get the measurements of your cantilever umbrella. That way, you’ll ensure that the new canopy fits. You can get the manual to check out the specs, but let’s be honest; who keeps those things?

You’ll probably have to measure the diameter of your umbrella canopy. You can simply take a tape measure and go from one end to the other, straight across, but if you want to get technical, the formula is d = 2r (diameter equals two times the radius, which is the distance from the middle of the umbrella to one edge). Now, keep in mind that the canopy isn’t a flat circle, so whatever you’ve measured, add a little to it.

Check out the anchor points on your umbrella. Unfortunately, if the screws are stripped, you won’t be able to attach a new canopy. In that case, you’ll have to either stick with the old one or buy a completely new umbrella. Many outdoor umbrellas secure their canopy fabric to the framework with snaps or pockets. Double-check to make sure the rib side of the snap is intact and there are no sharp ends that could rip the pocket of a replacement canopy. If it uses velcro straps, there may not be any fitting on the rib.

Next, count the ribs in your cantilever umbrella. People often forget about these, and getting the wrong number can put a damper on your replacement plans.

Lastly, see if your current canopy has an air vent. There are several air ventilation systems available, so take care to order the same type for your replacement.

Gather the Right Tools and Materials

Once you have the replacement canopy for your cantilever umbrella, you’ll want to gather the right tools and materials before you get started on the job.

In general, you’ll need a screwdriver or an Allen wrench (a.k.a. hex key) and a ladder. You may also need a pair of scissors to either cut the old canopy and/or cut open the packaging for the new one. Having a small container is helpful too since you can throw in loose screws for later.

Also, grab rope or packing tape if you have them. They’re not required, but they’ll make installation less of a pain.

At this point, it can be beneficial to ask someone for help. The canopy can be quite heavy, and it’s up high, so you don’t want to sustain any preventable injuries if you can help it.

Prepare the Area

If your patio’s cluttered, pick up after yourself and move everything out of the way. Not only will you have more space to work with, but you also won’t risk damaging your precious items. You can set your ladder down on stable ground too.

Open up the new shade canopy and lay it out alongside your tools. You’re now ready to get started!

Remove the Old Cantilever Umbrella Canopy

Put your umbrella in the closed position and look for the screws on the spring-loaded rib end caps; these will only be on square and rectangle-type canopies. Unscrew all screws and place them in a small container.

Now climb the ladder to view the top of your umbrella canopy. Depending on your specific umbrella, there may be velcro or zippers. If yours is the latter, we have a section specifically for that.

Otherwise, open all the velcro flaps and make note of where all of them are, as you’ll need to reattach them later. Take a photo on your smartphone if that’ll help.

Carefully slide the canopy down the ribs and have your helper lend a hand if needed.

Clean the Umbrella Ribs and Frame

You can skip this step, but since the canopy’s off, why not give your cantilever umbrella some good old elbow grease?

For a thorough clean, use a soft cloth and a proper cleaning solution to wipe down the frame if it’s aluminum. For wood, do the same, but make sure you utilize a mild cleaning solution so you don’t ruin the finish. So avoid things like bleach.

Finish cleaning by wiping the entire umbrella frame and ribs with a dry clean cloth.

Prepare and Attach the New Canopy

Your new canopy should already be laid out on the floor. Before you attach it to your umbrella, make sure the labels and tags are on the inside first. It’ll definitely be a “whoopsie” moment when you open the umbrella up and the tags are waving proudly in the wind!

If you have rope or packing tape, you might wrap it around the umbrella arms. This will keep them in place and prevent them from flying open at the most inconvenient times.

To attach the new canopy, position it over the umbrella frame. Align it properly, ensuring that it sits evenly and doesn’t bunch up in any areas.

Slide the canopy on rib by rib and go slowly. For octagon canopies, the spring-loaded rib ends need to go into the canopy pockets. If you have a square or rectangle canopy, don’t forget to replace the screws you originally took off in the beginning (if you put them in a small container, then you won’t go mad looking for them!).

Check that all the velcro and pockets fit where they should, and that the tension is evenly distributed. Make fixes as needed, such as tightening screws or fasteners.

Test the Cantilever Umbrella

If you bound the umbrella arms before, you should remove the material now. Be careful if you’re using scissors or a knife to do so; you don’t want to tear up your new canopy, after all.

Now for the true test: opening your umbrella. If you’ve done the job right, you shouldn’t hit any snags while opening and closing the umbrella. If anything’s catching or bunching up, see what’s preventing smooth operation.

While the umbrella’s open, go underneath and examine all the connections. Then get back on your ladder and inspect all connections on each arm.

You might want to leave the umbrella open for a bit to inspect how good your handiwork is. If the weather is too good where you are, dust off your leaf blower and pretend you’re Mother Nature unleashing her wrath on your beautiful umbrella. Either way, see if you notice any loose ends, reinforce them by retying the velcro straps and tightening any screws.

Clean Up the Area

Dispose of your old canopy; recycle the fabric if you can. There are many textile recyclers available in the country, so think twice before you dump the old canopy in your trash bin.

Sweep up any dirt or debris that might’ve come loose from the umbrella during the installation process. Now you can put your patio furniture back where they used to go.

How to Replace a Cantilever Umbrella Canopy With a Zipper

If your cantilever umbrella canopy has a zipper, the installation process isn’t too different, so breathe easy.

During the removal process, climb your ladder and look at the top of the canopy. Find the zipper and pull it all the way down, then unscrew any screws you might see on the ribs. This will enable you to remove the old canopy from your umbrella.

To install your new canopy, simply slide it up the ribs. Make sure both the velcro and zipper are facing the canopy support arm (toward the back). Secure the velcro straps, then pull the zipper up.

Take this moment to check that the zipper covers the central hub, and that the weight is distributed evenly. You can then adjust the canopy pockets to fit snugly onto the ribs.

Replace a Cantilever Umbrella Canopy Easily

A nice cantilever umbrella will make any neighbor jealous when they see you on your patio. So keep that pride going by having a pristine canopy at all times.

The good news is that it’s an easy job, and you won’t have to hire professionals. All you need are a few tools, a helper, good weather, and a little time to pull down and replace your old canopy. Before you know it, your cantilever umbrella will be as good as new, and your neighbors will be green with envy again.