Frequently Asked Questions

Our parasols come in one perfect size – a round, 2.7 meter diameter canopy. Not too big, not too small. This size will shade a 4 person dining table (or 6 at a sociable squeeze).

The mast pole is 38mm diameter. A slender pole was a non-negotiable for us. It simply looks much better alongside narrow-framed garden furniture. And of course looks elegant alongside chunky garden furniture too.

The parasol is 265cm tall, with 2 meters of headroom for walking underneath.

We don’t at the moment. As a young business, we’re keen to ensure we don’t hold lots of stock that might not sell, so for the time-being, we’re working with one parasol size and shape.

Our parasol is a round, 2.7 meter diameter as we think it’s a perfect size for the majority of outdoor spaces.

Watch this space for bigger and smaller options in the future.

As a general rule, a 2.7 meter round parasol should have a base weighing 20-50kg.

Parasols that are positioned through a hole in the centre of a table can get away with a base that is about 20kg. Freestanding parasols should have a base weighing minimum 30kg.

If you’re in a spot that can get a bit windy, definitely go for a heavier parasol base.

If you’re in a sheltered garden, and are mindful to put your parasol down when it’s gusty, you can go for a slightly lighter base.

In all cases, bases need to be on a solid, flat surface, the base should be tightened around your parasol pole, and you should use common sense when it comes to wind levels and when it’s time to call it a day and put your parasol down.

For a full guide to all the parasol base options, see our guide here.

Our bases are made to accommodate a standard 38mm parasol pole. This is the size of our parasols, and many others on the market.

You certainly can. Our frames should last many many years, so when you want to update your garden decoration, there’s no need to buy a whole new frame, you can simply change the style of your canopy instead.

You can choose to buy one of our replacement canopies here, or use the opportunity to design your own by using any fabric of your choice.

Bespoke canopies can be ordered here.

Unfortunately we don’t ship out fabric samples, but we have invested in the best possible photography of our fabrics to give you the most realistic impression of what they’ll look like in the flesh.

And should you happen to not love your parasol when it gets to you, you have the option to return it to us within 14 days.

We love bespoke orders!

Lead times are 6-8 weeks for bespoke orders.

If you’re browsing potential fabrics, outdoor or ‘performance’ fabrics are best, but we can work with pretty much anything. We can recommend UV & waterproof protecting sprays to help prolong the life of more delicate fabrics.

See our blog post on choosing fabrics here, for guidance on fabric types and weights.

You can place an order for a bespoke parasol here.

Whilst offering a split pole parasol would certainly make shipping a hell of a lot cheaper and easier for us, (and that's the only reason split pole parasols exist) we've seen those mid-sections go wobbly too quickly, too many times. It's simply a weak spot. And since we've tried to design a parasol that will last and last, it's a compromise we weren't willing to make. So we suck up the increased cost of shipping (which we subsidise on all orders).

This is the same reason our parasols don't tilt. We pride ourselves on creating a high quality product that will last a reliably long time, with no niggles.

That's absolutely fine. Just make sure you have the correct weight parasol stand or ground attachment. You can see our guide to all your parasol base options here.

They do! They’re not the sexiest covers, but they’re still better than anything else we’ve seen on the market. We promise we’ll turn our attention to making more beautiful looking covers in the not-too-distant future. But for now, our covers do the job very well.

They’re waterproof, breathable and UV resistant.

They have a rust-proof zip and a toggle at the bottom.

And they come free with every parasol purchase.

It’s very easy to put on, even if you’re not 3 meters tall. Just pop it on a broom shaft to lift over the parasol finial, and then shimmy it down.

Our covers don’t come with in-built poles. We prefer a cover that’s easy to pack up small in the summer and tuck away into a little drawer or nook.

One of the easiest ways to keep your fabric canopy looking fresh is to brush off dirt and tree debris with a soft brush.

For a deeper clean, prepare a bucket of water with a big squirt of washing up liquid. A wet wipe down with a soft sponge or soft brush should get rid of any general dirt and grime. (Don’t use hot water to avoid the risk of shrinking!)

You can also soak and wash outdoor fabrics in a bath of water and washing up liquid. Again, make sure the water isn’t any hotter than lukewarm!

After washing, make sure you rinse the fabric very thoroughly. If you don’t, mildew can end up growing on the soap residue.

Finish by air drying, ideally out of direct sunlight (as fabrics fade faster when wet.)

We don't recommend pressure washing your parasol. There’s just a chance you’ll cause a tear or break some stitching.

Our fabrics are highly stain resistant, but if a paper towel dab and a light wash hasn't done the trick, we've got a full post covering stain removal and looking after your parasol upholstery here.

First up, make sure it’s clean. Give your parasol a soapy wash a few days before you intend to pack it away. Make sure it’s well rinsed, and then allow to air dry thoroughly.

Pick a dry breezy day to pack away, to be sure your fabrics aren’t holding on to any moisture.

Try and give your parasol fabric a somewhat neat and uniform fold. Put the cover over the top, et voila. Ideally you can store your parasol in a shed or garage over the winter. Giving the frame a few months respite from the elements each year will help to prolong its life. That said, if it needs to stay on the patio (with the canopy covered), it can handle it.

Taking heed from a horror story, try to store the fabric part of your parasol away from the ground, to discourage mice from making a home inside your cover over the winter.

We believe in buying less often, buying better quality, buying what you love, and then keeping, caring and repairing. That’s why we make sure all of the fabrics we use are designed and made to withstand extreme sun exposure, as well as wind, sea and rain.

Fade-resistant fabric shouldn’t change colour from normal usage and sun exposure. The number of years of fade-resistance of each fabric is provided by the fabric manufacturers.

Should you have any issues with your fabric and it’s colour-fastness, please email us with photos on hello@pliaparasols.com. We may be able to liaise with the manufacturers on your behalf to secure a replacement canopy.

Sun, wind and rain don’t only cause fabric to eventually fade, they also damage the composition of fabric, making it more susceptible to tears. In an ideal world, and to prolong the life of your canopy to the maximum, cover your parasol each night.

Our parasols have been tested in wind tunnels against wind speeds of over 50kmh. They’re built to last, from strong, solid materials and with storm vents in every design. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to have them up in strong winds though!

The most important factor for keeping your outdoor parasol unflustered on a windy day is using an appropriate base. You can check our guide on parasol stands here.

Our parasols are designed with 100% replaceable parts, meaning they should never need to be sent to landfill. Should something break, send us an email on hello@pliaparasols.com and we can advise on replacement parts, or where to send your canopy for some TLC.

You can find our contact details here.

We don’t unfortunately. We’re a small team, juggling young families, and so can’t reliably be in a warehouse or shop to accommodate visitors.

You can however keep an eye on our Instagram for hotels, bars and restaurants where you might spot our parasols out and about.