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Save Money with Quality Outdoor Products

By Anita Winter

Since the recession began a majority of consumers have reconsidered purchasing their dream homes or buying those flashy sports cars. In fact, the state of the economy has forced people, and retailers for that matter, to take a good look at what they can afford and adjust accordingly.

People are investing more time in creating a higher property value to their homes by adding outdoor rooms, landscaping and being involved in major DIY projects. Although, people are trying to find great bargains, they are also taking time to research products that will provide greater value in the long run.

Restaurant and hotel owners have also broadened their interest in renovating by creating outdoor patio dining areas for customers. They have realized that enhancing outdoor settings adds style and may increase property value.

Some of the products retailers and home owners are investing in are all-weather-resistant patio furniture, outdoor shade products and outdoor cushions. These are not being purchased solely on good looks but on durability and functionality. Today's outdoor furniture is nothing like grandma's outdoor wicker rocking chair from the past. Teak, cast iron, all-weather wicker furniture are just a few products that hold up against the outdoor elements much better now than ever before.

Large cantilevered umbrellas have become big sellers in commercial and residential markets, that's because shade products are made with quality materials that will outlast products from big box retailers. Most are made with high-performance fabrics like Sunbrella, which tackle harsh elements and leave no evidence of abuse. Umbrella frames are built to withstand strong winds and storms and are made with non-corrosive substances and flexible fiberglass materials.

The same is true for outdoor fabrics; textiles that will not fade from the sun or mildew from the rain. Soft beautiful designer fabrics that can be used outdoors and indoors are what many manufacturers are achieving in creating these high-tech textiles. This recession isn't going away anytime soon. So be wise when you are deciding on what you will spend your money on. Choose better products for your home and business and always ask yourself if it's a good investment. If so, you should be able to move forward with peace of mind.

Wind Resistant Patio Umbrellas

By Markay Auen

Patio umbrellas can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Picking the right color combination can really add a splash of color to your outdoor space. Whether it's on a patio, a deck, or by a pool, and umbrella can provide beauty and comfort. Most people think about the size, shape, and color when they look for outdoor umbrellas, but what about the style of the frame?

Traditional frames are made of aluminum or wood. Aluminum umbrella frames are very light weight and resistant to corrosion. Wooden umbrella frames are very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. But one of the biggest problems with both of these umbrellas is the threat of wind damage.

But there is an alternative. One of the most durable types of frames for outdoor umbrellas is a fiberglass frame. Fiberglass is a very flexible and versatile non-corrosive material commonly used in fishing poles and boats. The fiberglass spokes in the umbrella frame makes the umbrella incredibly wind resistant. When the wind blows very hard in a traditional umbrella, the spines are bent and mangled by the wind. Sometimes this causes damage to the fabric as well. But with fiberglass umbrellas, the spines actually bend in the wind. The umbrella can take a lot of abuse from the wind and still go back to its original shape with no resulting damage to the spines.

As for the cost, aluminum umbrellas are the least expensive, with wooden umbrellas costing about 10- 15% more than that. Fiberglass umbrellas will cost you about 10%- 15% on average more than the wooden ones.

So when you're shopping for an outdoor umbrella, make sure you choose the color that looks the best with your surroundings, the size that best fits your space, and the style that will last the longest in your climate.

Patio Umbrellas Are Becoming the Top Shade Choice for Consumers

By Anita Winter

These days, many of us have had to think twice when it comes to how we spend our hard earned dollars. Buying smarter seems to be the new fad. Furniture and accessories for outdoor living could be considered a luxury item more than a necessity however; transforming your backyard into an oasis you can enjoy over and over is one smart way to stretch your entertainment dollar.

In today's market the consumer has become more strategic in designing their outdoor areas to achieve the same results with fewer dollars. For example, instead of purchasing a custom installed Pergola or Gazebo, consider purchasing custom made umbrellas. The difference in cost is staggering and allows you to divert your savings into outdoor furniture, cushions, fire pits and landscaping. Shade products such as patio umbrellas, market umbrellas, cantilever umbrellas, small garden pavilions and gazebos are becoming the trend setters of the new recession.

Why are shade products so popular? One reason: The danger of excessive sun exposure is a known hazard. We have become more aware of the risk of sun damage and the link to skin cancer as well as premature aging. Secondly, most homeowners who may be afraid to make a big purchase usually will lean to update cushions and add umbrellas as a start. This makes sense when you are trying to get a bigger bang for your buck. A big 9 ft or 11ft market style umbrella is not as costly as a dining set but it's an easy way to freshen up a patio and create a shaded structure for the pieces you do have.

Fabrics have made shade products even more appealing. High performance outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella are designed to withstand the outdoor elements. Bolder colors and textures have grown in popularity because the consumer wants more variety to choose from Custom designed umbrellas are also in fashion. By selecting complimentary umbrella fabric that coordinates well with your cushion fabrics will make your outdoor area come alive with color, balance and integrate well with your outdoor motif. Spending less money doesn't mean you have to compromise on a good investment. You just need to be wiser.

Under The Umbrella Sky

By Anita Winter

Umbrellas have been around for over four thousand years and were originally designed to provide shade from the sun. Parasols were very popular with women at a time when suntans were not so fashionable, but it was the Chinese that first water proofed the umbrella with wax and lacquer to allow rain to repel off. Early European umbrellas were made of wood or whalebone and covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. The curved handles were made of hard woods like ebony.

Umbrellas have since changed. They are fashionable as well as functional. These days, we have many different types of umbrellas to choose from. There are beach umbrellas, patio umbrellas, side post umbrellas, lifeguard umbrellas and even outdoor promotional and market umbrellas for outdoor cafes and eateries. Best of all, we have umbrellas that have the capability to with stand high winds.

The key component to high wind umbrellas is the fiberglass support ribs. Fiberglass has proven itself for many years in products like fishing poles, golf club shafts and boats. Unlike traditional metal and wood ribs, fiberglass ribs are strong and resilient. They are designed to bend and flex to absorb wind without breaking or disfiguring the shape of your umbrella. This flexibility, combined with an inherent resistance to rust and corrosion, results in umbrellas that last longer than traditional steel or wood-ribbed umbrellas.

Although umbrellas have lasted through the centuries, we never seem to tire of them. We still reach for one on that cold rainy day or gather around that patio umbrella during an outdoor barbecue with family and friends. Whatever your pleasure, umbrellas will be there to serve and protect for many years to come.

Cantilever Umbrella for Our Toddlers Sandbox

By Anita Winter

My husband recently built a large sandbox to the right of our yard for our very busy toddler. He seemed quite overwhelmed by the size of it but later enjoyed rolling in the sand along with our puppy.

My biggest concern was the hot sun on his young tender skin, so we decided to get a large outdoor umbrella that we could place in the sand box that would provide all the shade he needed. We had looked at all our outdoor umbrella options and decided that the offset umbrella also called cantilever umbrella would be the best selection.

A blue aluminum cantilever umbrella made with Sunbrella fabric now sits in the sandbox and gives a special touch to our backyard. With all the fears surrounding sun exposure having a cantilever umbrella was the clear choice. You can tilt this umbrella in any direction to help shade you from the moving sun and still enjoy the outdoors in the strongest heat of the day. Sunbrella fabric is an added plus, made of solution dyed acrylic fibers that are fade resistant in the sun along with UV ray protection, Sunbrella stands out above the rest.

Our toddler is happy to have his own mini island with all the amenities of a classic beach resort; cantilever umbrella, Adirondack chairs and a mound of sand to build as many sand castles possible. Now all his sandbox needs is to be surrounded by a body of water and this island would be complete.