Frequently Asked Questions

We now make 10 sizes.

2.5m round. 38mm central pole. 2.65m high.

3m round. 48mm central pole. 2.7m high.

3.5m round. 48mm central pole. 2.8m high.

4m round. 58mm central pole. 2.8m high.

2.1m square. 38mm central pole. 2.75m high.

2.6m square. 48mm central pole. 2.9m high.

3m square. 48mm central pole. 3.05m high.

3.4m square. 58mm central pole. 3.37m high.

2x3m rectangle. 48mm central pole. 2.88m high.

2.5x3.5m rectangle. 58mm central pole. 3m high.

All have more than 2m of head height for walking underneath.

All can sit in the centre of a table and be closed without hitting the table top.

For a full guide to parasol base weight requirements, see our guide here.

The location and size of your parasol can affect the weight you need, but in general, the heavier the better!

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

Contact us if you'd like to by a replacement canopy in one of the styles you've seen on our website, or you might like to use the opportunity to design your own canopy by using any fabric of your choice.

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.

In some cases we work with fabrics from known designers, and you may be able to request fabric samples directly from the fabric manufacturer.

We love bespoke orders!

Lead times are 4-6 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 but feel free to email us us first to get the nod on your fabric choice.

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.

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.

They're very easy to put on, even if you’re not 3 meters tall. Just pop the cover 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 any 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. Wipe down with a sponge or soft brush to 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 or a washing machine. Again, make sure the water isn’t any hotter than 30 degrees!

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.)

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

Our fabrics are made to be stain resistant, but for rust, wax, bird poo or blood stains, check this post 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.

Cover with the canopy with a waterproof cover and where possible, 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 bamboo wood parasols have been tested in wind tunnels against wind speeds of 90kmh. 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!

In conditions of wind or gusts, close the parasol.

In strong winds, remove the parasol from the base and lie it down.

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.

Whilst a suitable weight base will be stop your parasol tipping over, the screw grip stops the parasol being lifted up by wind. Always tighten the screw grip securely

Our parasols are designed with 100% replaceable parts, meaning they should never need to be sent to landfill.

Spare arms and finials are available to buy on our website.

If you need anything else, send us an email on hello@pliaparasols.com and we can advise on replacement parts, or where to send your canopy for some TLC.

hello@pliaparasols.com

+447884363265

For the purposes of General Product Safety Regulations, our EU Representative is:

Success Courier SL, Calle Rio Tormes Num.1,
Planta 1, Derecha, Oficina 3, Fuenlabrada, Madrid, 28947 SPAIN

eu-rsp@vatai.com

+34910602659

Please note that Success Courier SL are not the manufacturers or distributors of our products. For any customer service enquiries, please contact our main email address.

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.