Best Café Umbrellas Australia 2022
Best Café Umbrellas Australia 2022
Café umbrellas are centrepost umbrellas that are able to be used in commercial spaces such as cafes and restaurants. This means that they should be able to withstand some wind as well as the stresses of everyday use – being put up, down, and moved around day after day. Also known as restaurant, patio, or hospitality umbrellas, these commercial shade solutions are a fantastic way to entice customers with shade and to influence the atmosphere of the space depending on the materials used in the umbrella. The following umbrellas are the best café umbrellas in Australia 2022.
How do you know what size umbrella to get?
The size of your centrepost umbrella will depend first and foremost on the size of the area where it is being installed, so make sure to measure the area. Often in restaurants umbrellas will be placed between tables so the size of chairs and tables should also be taken into consideration. Making a quick blueprint of the area is a good idea to visualise the space you have to work with, especially if you are looking at getting multiple umbrellas.
The Sunranger Café Series is a range that was designed specifically as commercial café umbrellas, which is reflected in the name! It is available in a range of shapes and sizes for the best fit into any area and has a rope and pulley system for easy opening and closing. It also has a large variety of canopy colours which are fade-resistant and UPF50+ so they’ll last for a very long time and they can also be printed! The smaller umbrellas are very wind-resistant as well, while the larger sizes should be put down in the wind. The Sunranger Café Series has a black powdercoated frame which is rust-resistant and durable with a 48mm pole diameter which makes it suitable as an outdoor table umbrella as it is a common size and should easily slip through most table cut-outs- but it's always a good idea to measure first, just in case. This umbrella is a reliable, long-lived working umbrella that can be installed in a mobile or permanent base, and is light enough to be brought in and out every night.
What is the best sun umbrella for wind?
The best sun umbrella for wind is a centrepost umbrella that has been tested in a wind tunnel such as the Bambrella Hurricane and engineered to be able to withstand wind. It is, however, important to keep in mind that a wind tunnel test is not a definite answer on how much the umbrella can handle as these tests use a stable umbrella with wind going in one optimal direction without gusts. It is a good idea to use wind tunnel testing like a guide.
The Bambrella Hurricane is a beautiful outdoor umbrella for a café, restaurant, or commercial area available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes that will fit seamlessly into any sized venue. It is a flawlessly-finished high class umbrella designed with a sleek, modern silhouette, easy rope and pulley opening mechanism, and has over-engineered arms and runner to protect against wind damage. The Hurricane has been wind-tunnel tested to impressively withstand winds up to 100km/h so those arms need to be able to handle a lot! This umbrella doesn’t come in as many colours as the Sunranger Café Series, but there is still a good range of neutral and popular colours that are UPF50+ and fade resistant for the best quality of shade, and canopies can also be custom printed as well to really stand out from the others and get a logo or brand name out there. The Hurricane is very strong and striking, and there are many ways to install; both mobile and permanently, making it possibly the best umbrella in Australia for hospitality or fine dining.
Do outdoor umbrellas need a table?
No, centrepost outdoor umbrellas do not need a table. Placing an umbrella through a table does make it more stable and reduces the amount of weight you would need if the umbrella was free-standing, but it is not necessary to have a table if you were after an outdoor umbrella. It is common to have a freestanding umbrella with an adequate amount of weight on the base.
The Shelta Fairview is a good standalone fit for a café umbrella because it has an easy-open winder handle and an aluminium frame which is rust-resistant and lightweight. It is available in a range of contemporary O’Bravia fabric canopy colours which are UPF50+ and fade-resistant. Due to the 38mm pole, this umbrella can be easily put through a table or it is also able to be installed in a mobile base that can be brought in for the night. This umbrella also breaks down into two parts for easy storage. The Fairview centrepost umbrella is a good choice for those who are after a long-lasting round umbrella – plus it also comes in a striped pattern!
Is a square or round umbrella better?
When it comes to whether square or round is a better umbrella shape, the answer depends on where the umbrella is being installed and also comes down to personal preference. If you are after the most possible shade, then between a 3m square and a 3m octagonal umbrella for example, the square would be better as it gives more shade- they are both the same width, but the round has basically lost the corners. If the main goal was aesthetics, then the round would probably be better for a more relaxing atmosphere, for example.
The Sunranger Tuscan umbrella is a new arrival but is impressive straight out of the gate! Inspired by the Italian villa lifestyle and a perfect solution for a relaxing café umbrella, the Tuscan has a beautiful sustainably sourced timber frame and comes in a 2.1m square or 2.7m octagonal size. With a rope and pulley opening system and a resin hub and runner for improved durability, the Tuscan is a fantastic timber umbrella to add to a café equipment list – it is reliable, lightweight, and breaks down into two pieces for ease of use. It is also a great price! With a 48mm pole, this umbrella should fit through most tables and is suitable for daily use with a mobile base. The UPF50+ polyester canopy is available in two light, natural colours, can be custom printed, and is easy to replace – another reason why this is an excellent commercial umbrella.
What colour umbrella fades the least in sunlight?
The colours that are least likely to fade on an outdoor café umbrella are lighter and more natural colours that are closer to the original colour of the fabric they were made with. Unless the canopy has been manufactured with a fade-resistant material, the sun will bleach the canopy which means it will be harder to notice on a light canopy versus a dark or bright (eg. aqua or red) colour.
The Corso is a 3m octagonal umbrella that is a great shade solution to put through a table with a strong aluminium 38mm pole. This umbrella features a unique push-up opening and closing feature, is water resistant, and has also been wind-tunnel tested to up to 30 km/h. The Corso has a strong and lightweight aluminium pole which makes it easy to transport and is rust-resistant. The large 3m canopy is made from olefin fabric and blocks up to 96% of UV rays. This water and rust resistant café umbrella is a fantastic choice to use either in the centre of tables or between them thanks to its 3m canopy, and it is suitable for use in both mobile and permanent metal umbrella stands.
Should you cover your outdoor umbrella?
Yes, outdoor umbrellas should be covered when not in use, especially if they are going to be left outside all the time. It is always advised to put your outdoor umbrella down when it is not being used or under supervision, and it is also a good idea to cover it to protect it from the sun and weather. Without a cover, any umbrella is prone to sun damage from constant, unwavering UV radiation during the day or mould from getting wet during heavy rain and not properly drying out. A cover will protect the umbrella’s canopy meaning that it will last much longer.
The Sunranger FibreSun is last on the list of the best café umbrellas but it is not the least! This umbrella is made of fibreglass but is styled to look like timber – and it is realistic! This means that you get the aesthetics of a timber umbrella without the upkeep, which is perfect for a business who has other things to worry about. The FibreSun has a strong 48mm pole and hard-wearing resin hubs for increased longevity when it comes to the opening and closing system which is a simple but effective double rope and pulley. While it doesn’t have a large variety of sizes, what is available are popular sizes that usually suit commercial areas. The FibreSun’s canopy is a showerproof spun polyester available in light colours including white for an outdoor umbrella with a high level of UV block. The Sunranger FibreSun is able to be used with a mobile base and as a permanent patio umbrella installation.
These umbrellas are the best café and hospitality umbrellas currently up for grabs in Australia, and they are worth looking at. At Shade Australia we are always more than happy to try to help you find the perfect shade, just give us a call on 1800 155 233.
