A patio umbrella is a patio umbrella, right? Wrong! Not all patio umbrellas are made the same. It is important when shopping for a new umbrella that you are aware of the different types of outdoor patio umbrellas you have to choose from. A while back we talked about the different mechanics within umbrellas, touching on the different ways they crank and tilt, but today is dedicated to discussing cantilever umbrellas specifically.

How are cantilever umbrellas structured different?

Cantilever umbrellas are unlike most patio umbrellas that you would typically see around town. The most obvious difference is its physicality and structure. Unlike most patio umbrellas, Cantilevers are not held up by a middle pole but rather hung from an arm that is attached to a pole situated to the side.

What are the benefits of a Cantilever structure?

Your typical, standard patio umbrella has a limited range of motion due to its structure. The position of the pole, in the middle, restricts the umbrella to only 4 basic ranges of motion; open & close, left tilt, right tilt.  The structure of a Cantilever umbrella on other hand is extremely versatile. This umbrella can be turned, twisted, lifted and lowered in pretty much any direction. This allows for you to be shaded no matter where the sun is.

Is there more shade cover with a Cantilever umbrella?

All umbrellas come in many different shapes and sizes but typically Cantilever umbrellas have a much larger shade surface than your traditional market patio umbrella.  Our average market umbrella size is around 9’ while our cantilever umbrella average is 11’ with 13’ being our largest. Furthermore, the absence of the middle pole allows you more versatility.

Are Cantilever umbrellas harder to maintain?

Although they look strange they are no harder to maintain than your traditional market umbrella.

Cantilever umbrellas are easy to move around and easy to store.

Designing a brand new outdoor patio space can be an overwhelming experience. Where do you start? How big should it be? What shape, square or round? What kind of material, brick, concrete, stone? There are many variables involved when it comes to planning a patio, so these questions do not have a right or wrong answer. However there are things you can take into consideration that will help you answer some of these tough questions.

Patio Location– There is no wrong or right location to where you decide to place your patio. Most people tend to build their patios near their back door but consider the following. Are there any large trees in your backyard that offer natural shade? Areas with natural shade are the best patio locations because it allows you to enjoy your patio throughout most of your day.

Shape- The shape of your patio will largely be determined by the size and shape of your back yard. If you have a fairly spacious back yard the options are limitless. If your yard is smaller you are going to want to consider the patio/backyard ratio. Round patios always look bigger than they really are and are easier on the eyes. Adding plants and flowers around a patio will also soften the borders, making your patio flow smoothly into the rest of the landscape.

Size– The size of your patio will vary depending on not only the size of your lawn but also on how you plan to use your patio. What kind of activities will take place? Do you plan on entertaining guests? How many guests? Is it just a place to relax and read a book? Do you want an outdoor fire pit? How about an outdoor bar area? All of these questions are important to determine before you decide on size.

Materials- There is 3 main materials that are most commonly used for patios; poured concrete, brick and stone. Poured concrete is great because you can stain it to match your home and it is easy to maintain but brick and stone offer more texture and elegance to your patio area. Take a look at your house. This is the easiest way to figure out what type of material to use. Which material would look most natural with your home?

Taking these four factors into consideration should help guide you when making these important decisions. We are curious; did we miss any that have helped you?

Many people ask: Why is luxury outdoor furniture a better value than big box stores such as Home Depot, Target and even Ikea. These stores are great for college students or a person in their early 20’s when life is unpredictable and moving from place to place is common. However once life settles down and you make the big step in purchasing a home, starting a family and getting settled into your career it is time to think about long term investments.

Having to buy patio furniture every year because of sun rot and faded ugly cushions is never fun and will add up over the years. Most times people who choose to do this end up spending far more money than if they had just started with a high quality patio set. Here are some of the things you can look forward to after buying your own set of luxury outdoor furniture.

Beautifully Crafted

With high end, luxury outdoor furniture you can expect a wide range of different frame styles made from only the best materials. At All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings we sell hand woven, N-Dura, all weather wicker sets made to last in all kinds of weather. All aluminum, rust protected frames that are light weight but durable and ideal for easy storage. Wrought iron frames are heavy and perfect for windy climates as well as rain prone areas.

Cushions that last

All of All American’s patio furniture sets are made with only the best outdoor cushion fabrics by Sunbrella. Sunbrella is the leading outdoor fabric company and prides themselves on making durable, long lasting fabrics that wont fade in harsh sun. Sunbrella fabrics are also made to last through rain and even snow. Fabrics aren’t the only thing you have to worry about when it comes to cushions. Made with the best cushion foam, you wont have to worry about cushions going flat. Our foam stays plush and comfortable for many years.

Having a backyard patio is a great way to relax and entertain guests and family in the summer time. However there are many things to consider when purchasing patio furniture such as; how much up-keep is involved, how much furniture you will need, and what you want to use it for.  All of these factors are important to consider before you pick a set. You don’t want to spend all of your time trying to maintain your furniture or have to go out and buy more because you didn’t account for your large extended family or group of friends. There are so many different kinds of outdoor patio furniture sets, don’t just settle on the first one you see!

1. Activities

It is important to decide what you want to use your patio area for. Will it mainly function as a sitting area? Will you want to serve dinner outside, or throw get-togethers with your friends where a dining table is necessary? Is this somewhere you would like to get your summer reading done? Do you plan on spending time outside at night? If yes, a fire pit might something to consider. These are all factors to determine prior to your purchase. Try making a list of what you would like to do on your patio. That should help you decide what kind of furniture to buy.

1. Maintenance

After spending all day making sure the weeds are gone from your garden and watering your plants the last thing you want to do is have to worry about your patio furniture. Purchasing low maintenance patio furniture is the way to go and that doesn’t mean it is inexpensive furniture either. Metal, teak, cedar and all-weather wicker furniture are extremely low maintenance and can handle most weather including harsh sun. If it gets dirty, remove the cushions and hose it off.

1. Skip the cheap stuff

It may be tempting to go ahead and buy the inexpensive big box brands, plastic chairs and side table, or the fake, plastic wicker chairs that look great in the protection of the stores roof. However the truth is these furniture sets will only last you a year, maybe two. After that, expect sun rot and cracks. The saying, you get what you pay for is certainly true when it comes to outdoor furniture!

Alright, you got me. Tommy Bahama is not a person, but it is the newest brand addition to our wide collection of luxury patio furniture. Tommy Bahama hasn’t always had a furniture line though, their history started with upscale, casual clothing for men before they morphed into the Tommy Bahama we know and love today.

A Brief History

Tommy Bahama was inspired by a fictional character who lived an island lifestyle with a relaxed, slow paced approach. With this in mind, Tommy Bahama settled in Seattle, Washington where they started to design men’s clothing, directed by one of the cofounders, Gasperina, whom is a fashion industry veteran.

In 1995 Tommy Bahama opened their first stand alone, retail shop in Naples Florida, which ended up being their big break. People started a buzz about their retail and department stores began to increase their orders. In late, 1990’s Tommy Bahama introduced a woman’s line followed by sportswear and swimwear for both men and woman. The rest is pretty much history! Tommy Bahama now retails a wide variety of products anywhere from apparel to, beach gear, to outdoor patio furniture.

Tommy Bahama, Patio Furniture

Tommy Bahama’s outdoor furniture lines have a reputation for being charming and upscale, yet laid back and casual. All of their furniture comes in a diverse range of styles to ensure everyone can create the perfect outdoor space. These outdoor furniture sets are made with the finest materials and the best craftsmanship with over 175 all-weather, water proof (and irresistibly comfortable) fabrics to choose from. 

Kingstown Sedona Collection

The Kingstown Sedona Collection is inspired by Sedona Arizona which is known for their stunning colorful landscape of endless red rock formations. The Kingstown Collection is by far the most elegant, detailed and sophisticated collection that Tommy Bahama has to offer. From hand-carved molds, this collection features all-weather cast aluminum frames with a rich ebony finish.

Last month we talked a little about all the different types of umbrellasthat All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings has to offer, as well as what their different featured entailed. This month I think it is important to go over outdoor patio umbrella maintenance, something that many people neglect. There are many reasons why regularly cleaning and maintaining your patio umbrella is important. The most important reason is to insure that you get your full money’s worth. Taking proper care of your patio umbrella will prolong its life by many years. Umbrellas have a tough life if you really think about it. They have to endure much wear and tear from all types of weather conditions. Harsh sunlight, winds, heavy rain, and of course dust! Some people even leave their umbrellas out during the winter so we mind as well add snow to that mix as well. As you can probably imagine, these conditions dry out, wear down and dirty your patio umbrella overtime, causing pre-mature rips, extreme fabric fading and warped or rusted structural damage. Tips for reducing weather related wear and tear:

1. Always close your umbrella when it is not in use. This will minimize full sun exposure, reducing fabric color fading.
2. Bring your umbrella inside if you know it is going to rain.
3. Do not leave your umbrella outside during the winter months, especially in climates where it snows and freezes.
4. Cover or bring in umbrellas during very windy days.

Tips for cleaning your patio umbrella: The best way to clean your umbrella is with your garden hose.

1. Lay your open umbrella onto a sheet or tarp so that the umbrella does not touch the ground. It is best to do this on concrete so that the ground underneath does not become mud.
2. After you complete this, hose your canopy down. This will loosen any dust and dirt that has built up in the fabric.
3. Fill up a bucket of warm water. Add a touch of mild soup. With a washcloth or rag, gently scrub the entire umbrella. Give special attention to any stains.
4. Hose off umbrella to remove any soap or left over dirt.
5. To dry. Simply set umbrella into the sun.

Looking for a new patio umbrella? All American Fine Outdoor Furniture offers many types of patio umbrellas to fit your needs! Give us a call at 1.877.930.7070, visit our website or come in to any of our Arizona locations!