If you are looking to spruce that outdoor space up this season, and are thinking umbrellas but want to know more about the different types - read on. Patio umbrellas come in an array of fabrics and materials. Knowing these terms will help you decide and determine what you are getting for your money.



Canvas

Canvas is a heavy-duty material often used to make not only umbrellas, but sails, tents, backpacks, and shoes. The weight is rated with a number; the lower the number, the heavier the canvas will be. Canvas may be woven from a variety of fibers. In patio umbrellas, polyester canvas is a popular choice.

Polyester

Polyester comes from polyethylene tephthalate (PET), also used to make plastic drink and food containers. Polyester fabric resists wrinkles and mildew. However, like many synthetic fabrics, it is highly flammable. Make sure to keep this one away from the grill or tiki torches.

Nylon

Another synthetic material, nylon has been used to produce panty hose, parachutes, and even meat packaging.Like panty hose, models made of this material can run! Many hand-held umbrellas use nylon in their canopies. You may find lightweight patio umbrellas in nylon, but other fabrics are more popular because of their durability. Nylon represents a good choice for dollar value though if you are looking for a short term or cheap solution.

Acrylic

Also synthetic fabrics, acrylic and acrylic blends have become popular materials for clothing. They often substitute for wool, cashmere, and cotton garments but are generally easier to care for than garments made from natural fibers. Like polyester, acrylic resists wrinkles. Many on the market are made of this type of material.

Other Materials

Although less common, other materials may compose the canopy. For instance, some patio umbrellas may provide shade with a thatched top. Thatching, sometimes used as a roofing material, is dry straw layered in such a way as to prevent water from leaking through.

Solution-Dyed Acrylic Fabrics

Some brands will advertise that their canopies are made of solution-dyed acrylic fabrics. What this phrase means is that the manufacturer has dyed the acrylic with a chemical solution.

When dyeing acrylic, manufacturers may choose a colored powder as the dyeing agent. Powder-dyed fabric usually makes its debut indoors—couches, cushions, clothing, and so on.

Solution-dyed fabric, on the other hand, holds up well to outdoor wear and tear. It also resists fading from the sun's rays. Canopies for umbrellas and cushions for patio furniture all benefit from the solution-dyeing process.

Armed with a knowledge of these terms, you can understand the product descriptions you read and choose the best umbrella for your needs. It is usually best to make the purchase from a reputable web site or local outdoor store versus a supermarket or mass discounter. There are a lot of cheap ones out there that will not make it the whole season, or may become damaged in a wind storm. Better to just pay a few bucks more and get one that will last.