The 10 Best Cantilever Umbrellas
Special Honors
Frontgate 11-Foot Cantilever Round Side Mount Umbrella The Frontgate 11-Foot Cantilever Round Side Mount Umbrella provides 100 square feet of shade and has a canopy that is not only machine washable and double vented to allow for airflow, but also built to sustain plenty of sun exposure without deteriorating. It has a protective cover and a base that can be filled with sand or water for stabilization. frontgate.com
Country Casual Teak Pendulum Umbrella The Country Casual Teak Pendulum Umbrella has a hefty price tag, but possibly for good reason, as it's made with stainless steel and sustainably harvested eucalyptus wood, which is not only very durable and weatherproof but also quite elegant. It stands at over 9.5 feet tall, has a generously-sized canopy with a 13-foot diameter, and has a three-year warranty on all parts. countrycasualteak.com
Editor's Notes
July 16, 2020:
In making our selections, we aimed to only include cantilever umbrellas with materials that are both durable and ready to withstand several weather conditions. Buyers shouldn't have to worry that, if they leave their umbrella out in a light rainstorm or mild winds, they'll return to it to find that it's broken or has blown away. User-friendly features were also important to us so that people won't need to struggle any time they hope to adjust or move their umbrella.
The Sundale Outdoor PU023 stood out right away because of its foot pedal that lets you smoothly rotate the pole. It can also be tilted to five positions. Featuring a similar foot pedal system and rotating abilities, the Best Choice Products SKY5248 snagged a spot. The crank on the Patiorama B006-1 is too finicky, and since one of the main benefits of these types of umbrellas is adjustability, we felt this model needed to be removed. In its place came the Inovix Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli, which can be tilted to nearly any angle, and has hidden wheels for easy maneuverability.
Since these umbrellas can be subjected to all sorts of weather conditions, it was important that our selections were all made with long-lasting materials. On that note, the Pebble Lane Living Offset lost its spot because its canopy material is very thin. We added the Tangkula Adjustable Garden, which has steel ribs, an aluminum pole, and a thick canopy fabric. The Le Conte Hanging Market also earned a spot, thanks to its thick iron pole. With a strong crossbar base, the ABCCanopy Hanging Beach And Pool caught our attention. We also liked that this model comes in so many colors, making it easy to match to patio furniture.
Since wind can sometimes interrupt a day of sunning, we looked for models ready for that particular weather. The Island Umbrella NU6555 Freeport, with a canopy that locks securely into position, and a base that can hold 225 pounds of sand, earned a place. With a double-vented canopy that lets gusts pass through, the Purple Leaf Double Top Deluxe also found a spot on our list. The G-House Deluxe blows over too easily, so it had to go. Another model that struggles in the wind was the Patiorama B001. Its frame can bend in the slightest of gusts, so it lost its place.
April 17, 2019:
We thought about the various outdoor spaces users might be adding these umbrellas to, and the different ways people like to enjoy the outdoors, in making our selections. If the weather is unpredictable where you live, and even the summer months can see some storms, you'll like the Purple Leaf Double Top Deluxe. It can stand up to winds other models can't, so you don't need to rush over to shut it each time you feel a small gust. The Pebble Lane Living Offset is another option that you can leave outdoors year-round, without fear that the elements will destroy it since its tough fabric is not only abrasion-resistant but also resists UV damage and stains. Those who love long, leisurely days outside without constant UV exposure will love the Grand Patio Napoli. It tilts up to 90 degrees, so you can continue to adjust it to block out the sun while it moves across the sky. The Island Umbrella Freeport is another nice option for enjoying a long summer day, comfortably, as it provides some seriously-impressive shade with its thick canopy. Those who like a little something extra with everything they purchase will love the Patiorama B001, which has bluetooth speakers and solar-paneled LED lights to create the perfect party atmosphere — or romantic one, depending on what you're going for.
Backyard Shade Done Right
You can probably see why this design would be preferred over that of the traditional patio umbrella, which has a support pole directly in the middle of the umbrella’s canopy.
Whether in your backyard or on your deck, you probably need a way to shade yourself for truly blissful lounging. Traditionally, that’s where the patio umbrella would come in, but many homeowners these days prefer the cantilever umbrella, since it offers a few extra benefits. In fact, the secret to its success can be found right in the name: cantilever. You may have heard about cantilevers in the context of architecture or construction, and the basic principle is here no different. Essentially, a cantilever is a projection secured at one end to a vertical support. A cantilever umbrella, then, has a long support post with a pole sticking out at about a right angle to support the canopy.
You can probably see why this design would be preferred over that of the traditional patio umbrella, which has a support pole directly in the middle of the umbrella’s canopy. With these, you usually need a modified table (such as one with a hole in the middle), leaving you to talk around the pole to those across from you. Or, if you’d like to use a patio umbrella with lounge chairs, perhaps by the pool, you’ll have to contend with the pole right in the middle of your lounging area. By pushing the pole out of the way, the cantilever umbrella offers the entirety of its canopy for use, with nothing to stand in the way. You can place it behind any table or put chairs directly under it, all without having to worry about holes for poles and other nuisances.
It’s not just the cantilever design, though, that makes these umbrellas so useful, as they have other desirable features, too. For instance, many are vented for stability during windy conditions as well as so that hot air does not become trapped, keeping you cooler while you enjoy the shade. Some also let you adjust the angle of the canopy, and many make use of waterproof, sun-proof materials that make them a great choice for use by the pool.
Today’s cantilever umbrellas also have something of an air of luxury and status attached to them, as they’re often found at resorts and high-end hotels. As far as style goes, you’ll find one for all tastes, since they come in a range of colors in everything from muted neutrals to eye-catching jewel tones.
Securing A Cantilever Umbrella
To get the best experience out of a cantilever or offset umbrella, you’ll need to secure the base, lest the whole thing crashes down into your brunch. In other words, don’t make the typical mistake of assuming that the stand sold with the umbrella is necessarily all you need to keep everything upright. These are usually only simple cross-brace supports, although some high-end models do come with a weighted base that may or may not be adequate, depending on how much wind your area gets.
In other words, don’t make the typical mistake of assuming that the stand sold with the umbrella is necessarily all you need to keep everything upright.
So, what can you do to keep your umbrella upright? You’ve essentially two options: either fasten the base permanently to the ground or use something weighted to secure it. If you’re considering the former, a lot will depend on your deck materials. If you have a wooden patio, you’ll probably have no trouble screwing the base into the boards, but if you’re working with concrete, you’re going to have a tougher time on your hands. A permanent solution also keeps you from moving the umbrella.
For these reasons, many people choose umbrella bases, instead. Some bases have one-piece construction and use heavy materials such as steel, while others are hollow and require you to fill them with sand or water. Neither is inherently better; the first option won’t spring a leak but also tends to be heavier to transport, in case you were thinking about bringing your umbrella along, perhaps to the beach. You could perhaps use a couple of concrete blocks, although they might detract from any style you're trying to cultivate.
Even when secured, your cantilever umbrella may sway during highly windy days. One way to lessen this is to place the umbrella near your deck’s railing or any other vertical support you might have, then use heavy-duty cable ties to secure the umbrella’s pole. If the wind becomes too gusty (especially in the event of a hurricane), you may need to close the umbrella and place it in a secure indoor location, just as with any other outdoor furniture.
An Umbrella By Any Other Name
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word umbrella comes from the Latin word umbella, which means “little shade.” This comes from the Latin word for “shade” or “shadow,” umbra, a word that we use in English even today (an umbra is simply a shaded area). But not everyone uses the formal “umbrella,” since as with many words, there are common slang terms that are much more fun.
One slang term you probably won’t hear from a Brit is “bumbershoot,” which has been traced back to 19th century American origins.
In Britain, for example, you’ll hear an umbrella referred to as a brolly, and less commonly as a gamp, named for a character in a Charles Dickens novel. As you might imagine, this makes “gamp” somewhat dated. One slang term you probably won’t hear from a Brit is “bumbershoot,” which has been traced back to 19th century American origins. Nevertheless, the word has sometimes been confused for a Britishism, even being identified as such by that lovable elitist Niles Crane in Frasier (you’d think he’d know better). We think that in addition to being fun to say, “Cantilever Bumbershoot” would make a great name for a band.
Other words for umbrella from across the world include sunshade, parasol, rainshade, parapluie (French), and paraguas (Spanish). For the most part, sunshades and parasols are lightweight, handheld versions designed to protect the user from direct sunlight, but you might hear about “cantilever parasols” for hot climates. There are also numerous other types of umbrellas that protect the user in different kinds of weather, like the bubble umbrella for heavy downpours, and suit different stylistic choices, like the Tiki version for a luau.