If your business provides customers with an outdoor area for any activity, you'll need to provide shade - and outdoor umbrellas (aka market umbrellas) are the easiest and least expensive way to do that. When shopping for patio umbrellas, look for these features:

1. Frames for outdoor umbrellas are made from either metal or wood. Aluminum is generally lighter weight and holds up to the elements better than wood.
2. Metal patio umbrellas open with either a crank lift or push button and wooden umbrellas open using a pulley system. Figure out which opening system works best for everyday use.
3. Outdoor umbrellas are either straight fixed or come with a tilt option to change the direction of the umbrella as the sun moves. Tilt methods include collar tilting, crank tilting or push button tilting.
4. Size is one of the most important features of outdoor umbrellas. You'll need to consider the size of the table or space that you want to provide shade to. Commercial umbrellas need to be larger than the circumference of the table in order to provide adequate shade.
5. Canopy fabric comes in different varieties. If your outdoor umbrellas will be used frequently, you'll want to invest in weather resistant UV fabric that not only protects the shaded recipient, but also holds up in the hot afternoon sun day after day.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Send a message with your outdoor umbrellas

Using custom imprinted commercial patio umbrellas allows restaurants and bars to go a step further in branding by advertising their name on outdoor umbrellas for passersby to see. But the benefits don't end there. You also provide a comfortable, shaded environment for guests seated outside.

I recommend: Stromberg Brand makes custom imprinted market umbrellas in seven or nine foot varieties. Umbrella Source offers imprinted restaurant patio umbrellas in more than 270 fabric options. Greencorner's oversized market umbrellas do the job of three or four regular size and are a great choice for restaurants that have large tables.

Give your outdoor umbrellas a leg to stand on

Most outdoor umbrellas are designed to be supported by a table or a stand. Some stands are offset, which allows the umbrella to hang from a pole rather than be supported by one. Beach umbrellas are the only ones that hold their own by being anchored in sand.

I recommend: Furniture Leisure has all three types of commercial umbrellas and umbrella stands. Patioshoppers.com offers unique solutions for commercial and market umbrellas including standard wood and aluminum umbrellas along with cluster, side pole mounted and wall mounted umbrellas that eliminate the need for a pole or stand. Yardiac makes a large variety of side post or offset umbrellas. Look for beach umbrellas at Beachstore.com.

Outdoor umbrellas provide shade and light

It might seem strange to keep your outdoor umbrellas out after the sun has gone down, but some restaurants and hotels do just that with lighted patio umbrellas. The umbrella not only serves as a shade during the day, but can illuminate dark tables at night.

I recommend: You can find accessories including string lights, night lights and mosquito netting for your outdoor umbrellas at PatioShoppers.com or More Patio Umbrellas.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Square umbrellas provide a larger surface shade area than round or octagonal patio umbrellas.
• •  Safety should be one of the biggest concerns when choosing outdoor umbrellas. Consider the traffic, the strength of the umbrella and the mechanics of it to minimize the chance of customers getting hurt by the umbrella.
• •  Compare prices on imprinted and plain umbrellas. It may not cost much more for custom market umbrellas if you are ordering a large quantity at one time.
• •  Look for warranties on fabrics when you buy. Some commercial umbrellas are offered with a one to two year guarantee on fabric wear.