Stability is non-negotiable for outdoor umbrellas
Okay, you’ve determined the perfect type, size and shape of umbrella for your outdoor space – congrats! You can take a breath but the work’s not over. It’s time to figure out the patio umbrella base or mount to keep it secure. Choosing the best one is critical to ensure your umbrella remains upright under calm conditions and doesn’t fly away when there’s a gentle breeze. Center pole and cantilever umbrellas can use freestanding bases or fixed mounts. The latter is more appropriate for larger umbrellas and windier settings.
Freestanding bases (a.k.a. mobile)
Freestanding bases are what most people think of when they picture residential shade umbrella stands. Even though they are heavy, these stands can be moved from one spot to another with minimal difficulty. Some have wheels to make relocating easier. Otherwise, you may need to detach the umbrella from the base before moving the latter to a new position. Most freestanding bases are round, square or rectangular.
Even though they serve a common purpose, bases come in many designs. They use different methods and materials to provide the weight needed for stability. Most fall into one of three types of base structure.
- Solid – These sturdy bases are typically constructed using solid iron or steel plates, concrete or stone slabs
- Frame – Many heavy-duty versions have steel frames (some with powder-coated aluminum covers) in which you stack granite pavers or another weighty material
- Filled – Hollow plastic ones are filled with sand or water to create the weightiness
Most manufacturers provide a variety of neutral finishes, so you can coordinate the base with your umbrella and furniture. If you have an outdoor table with a market umbrella hole, measure your mobile base to ensure it safely fits below.
How heavy does the deck umbrella base need to be?
The weight required for your mobile base depends on three factors: the size of your umbrella canopy; the expected environmental conditions; and the presence or absence of an umbrella table. There are many schools of thought as to how much weight is needed but we tend to err on the side of safety. To account for average wind conditions, our rule of thumb for free-standing center pole umbrellas is 10 pounds per canopy foot. If the pole runs through an umbrella table, you can reduce it to 5 pounds per foot.
The top offset umbrellas either include or identify the appropriate mobile base or provide choices of fixed mount options, so there’s usually less confusion. However, bases for cantilever umbrellas often run 30-40 pounds per canopy foot or more. They also tend to be much larger, requiring a lot of room to the side of a dining table or lounge seating area.
Recommended deck umbrella minimum base weights*
| Type / Size | 7′ | 8′ | 9′ | 10′ | 11′ + |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Umbrella | |||||
| (Through table) | 35 lbs | 40 lbs | 45 lbs | 50 lbs | 55 lbs |
| (Freestanding) | 70 lbs | 80 lbs | 90 lbs | 100 lbs | 110 lbs |
| Cantilever Umbrella | 210 lbs | 240 lbs | 270 lbs | 300 lbs | 330 lbs |
*These are general guidelines. Follow the umbrella manufacturer’s recommendations for their specific models.
Permanent mounts (a.k.a. fixed)
A fixed mount is commonly used for larger umbrellas, when the environment is windy or it’s a commercial installation. As the name indicates, fixed mounts are not portable. They are secured to a single location by means of an attachment kit that varies by surface type. In practice, fixed mounting kits are the best choice to guarantee the stability of your umbrella. Commercial environments are extremely active and the decor takes a regular beating. So, fixed mounts are frequently used.
There are a few types of fixed mounts:
- Floor Mount – This is the most popular fixed base structure. Floor mounting kits enable you to quickly secure a base plate and sleeve to a concrete patio, hardwood deck or cement poolside. They work great beneath all kinds of umbrella tables since you don’t need clearance for a bulky stand.
- Wall Mount – This can only be used for offset umbrellas specifically designed to accommodate vertical mounting. Consider a wall mount when you have a small area, where ground space is at a premium.
- In-Ground – These bases are inserted directly into the ground and can be secured by pouring concrete around them. If you have soft dirt or loose gravel and want to establish a permanent setting, this type might not be the best choice.
Base tube diameter
Whether you’re using a mobile or fixed base, make sure that it can accommodate the diameter of the umbrella pole. Most center pole umbrellas range from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. If purchasing the umbrella and base from different sources, please double-check with the manufacturers to ensure compatibility. Ideally, you want a base tube no more than 1/4″ wider than the umbrella pole to ensure a snug fit.
Helpful base and mount reference
Here’s a great resource from Woodline to better understand many types of bases and mounts.
Completing the essentials checklist
At this point, you’ve got a good idea of what to look for to shade your outdoor setting. In the next section, we look at some additional features and accessories that can enhance your umbrella’s capabilities.
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