Outdoor Umbrella Bases & Mounts

Patio umbrella stand or umbrella base? What's the right choice?

There are many ways to stabilize outdoor umbrellas and prevent them from blowing over. Portable parasol bases enable you to move patio umbrellas across your space, while heavier freestanding versions are typically used for cantilever umbrellas and larger canopies. Permanent stands or mounts secure shades to one spot, support large umbrella canopies and can withstand stronger winds. These stationary umbrella stands are mounted in concrete, in the ground or below a deck. Choosing the right umbrella base or mount is vital to the safe and efficient operation of your shade and can coordinate with the look and feel of your outdoor decor.

Freestanding patio umbrella bases

Standalone umbrella bases can be employed with both market and cantilever umbrellas. A center pole patio umbrella with a base is often used through an umbrella table for al fresco dining or with poolside sunloungers. The weight needed for market umbrella bases is lighter than those of cantilevers but heavier bases are needed the larger the canopy. Cantilever umbrellas require a lot of weight to counterbalance their offset canopies. In fact, some large side post umbrellas need umbrella bases that are in excess of 500 pounds! A patio umbrella base with wheels, regardless of the weight, is handy if you plan to rearrange your setting or move your shade for off-season storage. Storing your base in a dry sheltered area when the weather is harsh and cleaning off debris can also extend its lifetime and help it look its best.

Manufacturers of patio umbrella weighted bases usually provide a table showing which umbrella sizes are compatible with each base weight. In normal wind conditions, a good rule of thumb is 10 pounds per canopy foot for freestanding market umbrellas or 5 pounds if they're going through a table. Bases for cantilever umbrellas should be around 30-40 pounds per canopy foot or more in higher wind areas. Umbrella base prices range based on weight, material and design. Plain 100-pound concrete bases may only be $100-200, while chic 500-pound aluminum and steel umbrella bases with wheels could reach $3,000-5,000 or more.

Check out the bases and mounts section of our comperehensive Patio Umbrella Buying Guide for more details.

Fixed weight umbrella bases

Most umbrella bases come in specific weights or sizes that cannot be changed. They may be solid or have a protective decorative cover to hide the weights and complement surrounding decor. Steel, iron, aluminum, granite and concrete are the most commonly used materials for the weight. Covers are often constructed of aluminum with a protective powder-coated finish or toughened plastic.

Adjustable weight outdoor umbrella bases

Other base types may allow additional weight to be added to accommodate larger umbrella canopies. Their price range can vary greatly depending on the weight and material.

• Metal Plates - These wide stackable plates are usually made of steel and are often more than a hundred pounds each and can be very expensive
• Pavers - Inexpensive stone or concrete pavers typically stack in sections of a steel framework that may or may not be covered
• Sand or Water - Some budget-friendly lower grade bases are hollow and may be filled with water, sand or gravel to supply the weight needed

Permanent patio umbrella mounts

A fixed outdoor umbrella stand provides more stability than a freestanding base, eliminates the need for additional floorspace and is usually less expensive. Its main drawback is that it cannot be moved, so shades are limited in where they can be used unless you install multiple mounting areas. While the umbrella stands or mounts are fixed in place, the umbrellas themselves can be removed and stored during inclement weather or the off season.

In-ground patio umbrella mounts

A common permanent outdoor umbrella stand is an in-ground mount. These popular steel supports are usually used in backyards o the side of a patio or deck. A hole is dug in the dirt and the mount is set in poured concrete. Once the concrete hardens, an umbrella can be bolted to an adapter plate that secures to the mount. The in-ground mount itself is not very expensive but you may need to hire a contractor to dig a large enough hole, pour concrete and properly install the mount.

Surface umbrella mounts

Alternatively, cantilever and market umbrellas can be mounted directed to flooring surfaces, using long bolts and adapter plates. These are relatively easy to install if you have the proper drilling tools.

• Concrete Mounting - These simple inexpensive steel mounts are directly attached to the surface of concrete but may require specialized drill bits and mandatory patio thickness to ensure safe installation
• Deck Mounting - Some umbrella manufacturers have mounts for use with hardwood decking that require connections above and below the surface, may have size limitations based on the deck strength and are more costly than concrete mounts

Variety of umbrella base styles, finishes and colors

Umbrella bases are available in many designs to coordinate with your patio furniture, architecture and outdoor decor. They range in size from small industrial concrete disks to massive sleek aluminum square bases. Styles vary from streamlined modern metallic plates to ornate wrought iron weighted bases and everything in between. Plastic and powder-coated metal covers are offered in chic neutral tones to complement a broad arrray of contemporary and traditional palettes.