What to look for when choosing a garden parasol

We’re well aware we’re not the only parasols available in the world. And price ranges can vary hugely. So what should you be looking for when weighing up your options, and what do you get when you spend a little more?

 

Frame material

There’s wood and there’s wood. We know from all of the parasol frame manufacturers we visited or bought samples from when starting Plia.
 
We held pine parasols. While I was sure they’d do fine in Portugal where they were made, I was convinced the wood would rot in the UK which is decidedly damper.
 
We tested birch wood parasol samples from China. I tried to love them (because of the price) but the wood simply looked and felt like plastic. If it had had any fewer layers of varnish, the frame wouldn’t have been suitable for outdoor use.
 
I searched for factories making teak parasols and then learnt that many teak forests have been severely depleted, meaning global supply is limited. Teak is now a controlled timber and in an attempt to protect remaining forests, since 2021, teak from Myanmar is prohibited from entering the EU.
 
So the search moved on, and we discovered eucalyptus hardwood. It’s incredibly strong, and has the same qualities as oak and teak in terms of all-weather durability. It can handle dry-heat as well as cold and wet. Plus it is the more sustainable option, being a relatively fast growing wood.
 
Personally, I was only ever going to explore wooden parasols. I like the traditional, timeless style and didn’t feel I was compromising on strength. Our frames have been used around the world, in hilltop gardens and beach-front hotels, proving their suitability for a breadth of environments.
 
That said, for a particularly windy location, for example on a yacht, you should explore stainless steel parasols which can be sleek and beautifully, combined with completely unbreakable strength.
 

Single-length pole

If you keep an eye out, you’ll spot that any high-quality commercial parasol will have a single length pole. Here’s why:
Whilst parasol poles that split in two are certainly easier to ship, you can be sure that after a few months of being tugged in the breeze, that joint will become wobbly. If you’re hoping to have a parasol that stands tall and strong, can handle a little wind, and requires minimal maintenance, opt for a single-length pole.
 

Replaceable parts

This won’t be top of your parasol wish list right now, but you might thank me in a few years when your parasol is dropped / knocked from its storage perch / hung on by a child.
 
Some designs of hubs make it impossible to replace an arm if one breaks. One moment of tomfoolery can end up with a whole parasol heading to landfill. Our parasols are designed so that the arms can easily be replaced using simple tools. You’ll probably never need it, but we sell replacement arms and finials to ensure your parasol can last more than a decade.
 

Canopy fabric

This is where we get excited, and if you don’t, this could be where you might be happy to choose a lower cost option. In the UK, your standard canopy colour options amount to cream, navy or khaki. The fabrics will be polyester. And we all know what those canopies look like after a couple of years: Fade marks on the darker colours. Mildew marks on the lighter colours.
 
When you opt for a more premium parasol, you should be looking out for a solution-dyed acrylic canopy. That’s the crème de la crème of outdoor fabrics. This fabric will resist fading for at least 5 years, will be mildew resistant, all the while being soft and luxurious, with none of the plastic feel you might get with a polyester. The majority of the solution-dyed acrylic fabrics we work with are also certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100, meaning they are water-repellent, without using harmful forever-chemicals. Every colour, style and texture is available in these premium fabrics, enabling you to select a parasol that adds style and joy to your outside space, with the confidence that it will remain looking beautiful for many years.
 
We’ve rounded up our favourite luxury outdoor fabric manufacturers here.
 

Fringes

We love to add a fringe to our parasols, and as the cherry on top, the tactile topper to your parasol cupcake, they have to be soft, but also highly durable. We exclusively use outdoor fringes. They’re waterproof, mildew resistant and fade-proof. Even after a tumble through the washing machine, they remain soft, fluffy and every hair in place.
 
Keep an eye out for cotton or polyester fringes which are not made for outdoor use. These will be susceptible to developing mildew.
 

Pole width

This is probably the last thing you’d think of scrutinising when choosing a parasol, but it was one I obsessed over when designing our frames.
 
For starters, in the UK, standard parasol bases are made to fit two pole sizes: either 38mm or 48mm. Watch out for beach style parasols that typically have very thin poles, often too thin to work in a normal parasol base.
 
If you have slender metal garden furniture, then my strong preference is for a 38mm pole. Alongside wooden furniture, a 48mm pole doesn’t look too chunky.
 

Height

Any garden parasol worth its salt should allow 2m of walking room underneath, when raised. This equates to a parasol height of min 2.5m. Keep an eye out for parasols that are 2m total height, but with the arms raised are too low for walking underneath.
 

Storm vent

The most common questions we get asked about our parasols is whether they can handle wind and rain. The answer is a resounding yes. The addition of a simple storm vent in the top of the canopy allows light winds to pass through, without pulling and lifting the frame. Next time you’re browsing parasols, double check they have a gap at the top to allow for windy moments without straining the frame.

 

The small details matter

The look of the hub, the style of the opening mechanism, the colour of the rope. These are all details that you’ll see and touch every day. When you opt for a luxury parasol, these are the details that have been considered, and where corners haven’t been cut.

 

To browse our parasols, and see the details we think matter, take a look at our full collection here.