Even on the brightest sunny days, where there is light, there should also be shade. As protection against overheating and sunburn, a parasol is an absolute must-have. But watch out: Most of our parasols come without a stand. So now you want to know how to find the right parasol for your desired parasol. No problem – here come our tips!
What is the diameter of the pole?
First, the parasol and the stand must fit each other. So look at the product details of your parasol. Usually, the pole diameter is indicated there, either in the first tab or under “Function & Quality”.
If your parasol is not from home24 or you have had it for a long time, you can also estimate or measure it (well, what was the formula for the circle diameter again?). In the product details for the parasol stands, you will find an indication of which pole diameters are suitable. Since there are no standardized sizes for umbrellas, you work with from-to specifications that fit the mounting mechanism.
As a rule, you can take almost any pole for any umbrella, but you should double-check before buying.
How often do you want to move the parasol?
The next question is how often you want to move the parasol. Most of the time, the umbrella will stay in a fixed place, for example, if it is placed on your garden table. Or you may have only one place on the terrace where it makes sense to place it because of the sun’s position. In this case, providing a permanent anchorage, such as a permanently installed ground socket or anchor, maybe a good idea.
If, on the other hand, your parasol is to be used here and there, a parasol stand with wheels that can be easily transported is recommended.
How heavy should the parasol stand to be?
An umbrella stand not only has to ensure that the umbrella stands upright, but you also have to consider the possible load caused by wind.
Generally, the rule of thumb is:
For every 10 cm of umbrella diameter, the stand should weigh at least 1 kg.
So for an umbrella with a diameter of 2 m, you need at least 20 kg of weight at the base. This is enough to withstand a medium gust of wind. If it gets windy, you should close the umbrella anyway, even if it has a wind valve.
Especially traffic light umbrellas require a decent counterweight due to their construction, as a stronger leverage force acts on their base. For a traffic light umbrella, you should plan a 50-100 kg weight. The more, the better.
By the way, thicker umbrella stems (e.g., those made of wood) also require more weighting. If the pole has a diameter of about 5 cm, it should be stabilized at the bottom by a stand of at least 30 kg.
What types of umbrella stands are there?
Parasol stands are available in a wide range of variants. We present you the most important ones:
Fillable parasol stands.
These are plastic containers that you fill with water or (better yet) sand. Advantage: The stands are easily transportable until they get the necessary weight through the filling.
Umbrella stands made of concrete.
This inexpensive construction offers much support for little money and is also very durable.
Cross base stand
As the name suggests, the parasol base is shaped like a cross, into which you insert concrete, granite, or other slabs. Advantage: you can choose something. Granite slabs, for example, look very noble and are also priced accordingly. Another advantage is adding weight to the surface, for example, by placing planters on the slabs.
Ground brackets
For a fixed installation of the parasol, there are ground anchors and ground sleeves, which are anchored in the ground. Once installed or set in concrete, this construction lasts virtually indefinitely. There are also no trip hazards due to umbrella stands. The advantage here is the great stability and the low cost of materials. However, you can’t move the umbrella 20 cm to the side.
Umbrella stands for the balcony.
Of course, the space on the floor of a balcony is usually limited. But even for this, there are clever solutions that work as balcony umbrella stands. With parasol holders for the balcony railing and table attachments, you clamp the parasol. For occasional use of the parasol, these are quite sufficient.
Summary
Which parasol stand is right for me? The answer depends on the parasol itself and the location and whether or not you want your parasol to be movable. Either way, you should ensure you give your parasol a firm hold – not that it leaves you unexpectedly in stormy times.
And if the whole thing is too complicated for you, you can opt for a parasol with a stand or a sun island, which usually comes with the parasol.