| What is a patio umbrella? It is a simple device with | | | | not fall over, but it's really hard to move and gets |
| a central pole and ribbed canvas canopy that, | | | | in the way of people trying to get around. |
| once opened, provides its user with protection | | | | Today's mounts keep your umbrella close enough |
| against the sun and rain. But today's models of | | | | for use but far enough that they are out of the |
| patio umbrellas have far surpassed the basic form | | | | way. |
| and function of the original design to encompass | | | | As mentioned, wall mounted patio umbrellas are |
| some modern creature comforts that make the | | | | of European origin and have for awhile now |
| patio umbrellas an even more invaluable fixture in | | | | graced the sides of bistros and villas across the |
| your own backyard. | | | | continent. In recent years, the trend has finally |
| Auto tile umbrellas: the first breakthrough | | | | seemed to catch on over here. These innovations |
| Patio umbrellas in some form or another have | | | | mount easily to walls via an adjustable aluminum |
| been around for millennia, but it was not until | | | | arm and feature a track so that you can adjust |
| modern patio furniture became a staple in homes | | | | the height of the umbrella as well. They store |
| that the auto tilt feature came into being. In the | | | | more easily than regular umbrellas as well; once |
| old days, umbrellas had to be opened manually | | | | you're finished using them, simply zip the canopy |
| using a rope pulley and were secured with a peg. | | | | portion of the umbrella into the frame itself and |
| But modern patio umbrellas are much easier on | | | | put the entire unit back against the wall. |
| the back, operating either with a simple collar tilt | | | | Solar powered lighted patio umbrellas: the future? |
| or crank mechanism. Likewise, umbrellas of | | | | Patio umbrellas are great at keeping you in the |
| yesterday only had two positions: open and close. | | | | shade, but why not put their sun-drenched |
| Modern auto tilt umbrellas, though, are 360 degree | | | | canopies to good use? A solar powered lighted |
| adjustable so you can enjoy the shade anywhere | | | | patio umbrella is equipped with a top solar panel |
| and at any time of time. Once the umbrella is as | | | | that attracts sunlight during the day, charging a |
| an open position, simply keep cranking (or in some | | | | Ni-Mh battery that runs the LED light underneath. |
| cases, use the collar tilt) and the umbrella will begin | | | | The efficiency rate of these umbrellas varies |
| tilting to the side. | | | | from about 50-85 percent depending on the |
| Wall mounted patio umbrellas: European influence | | | | brand, but overall they should provide you with |
| European styles have long been a source of global | | | | well over a night's worth of lighting. Once it's dark |
| inspiration, and wall mounted patio umbrellas are | | | | out, the built in LED lights along the ribs of the |
| no different. In the past there were two basic | | | | umbrella can be flipped on with an easy on/off |
| stands for patio umbrellas: the table base and the | | | | switch. The resulting light is warm and inviting, |
| freestanding base. With a table base, you had to | | | | perfect for summer dinners outdoors. The best |
| actually buy a table with a hole in the center for | | | | part is, it doesn't use wires or outlets, so you |
| the umbrella to fit into and sitting in a base | | | | don't have to worry about tripping over cords or |
| underneath. In essence, you had less table space | | | | running extension cords from inside. And they |
| and a big pole in the middle of everything. The | | | | keep your utility bills lower by using natural energy. |
| freestanding base is not much better. The heavy | | | | It's a bright new way to go green. |
| concrete slab is heavy so as the umbrella does | | | | |