Many users believe their patio umbrellas are designed to withstand strong wind.
Unfortunately, most standard umbrellas can’t always withstand winds and can get damaged in a storm.
Strong winds might remove the cloth and the support pole from the stable places if your umbrella is made from lightweight fabric.
Even high-quality patio umbrellas made from durable fabric can be severely affected by the robust wind, such as their support beams underneath the cloth might be broken.
So, no matter how good a patio umbrella you just bought, it’s essential to know, “How windy is too windy for a patio umbrella?”
Now, keep reading since we have the answers for you!
Table of Contents
How Windy Is Too Windy for a Patio Umbrella?
Some good-quality patio umbrellas can resist prolonged winds of up to 40 mph, but even that, you should be careful.
You should never underestimate sustained winds at 20 mph that can blow some lightweight patio items and take down some trees.
So it is unsurprising that some full-sized umbrellas cannot withstand such gusts.
Even “wind-resistant” umbrellas are only typically tested in winds at about 10 mph. 20 mph wind may be enough to turn umbrellas inside out and make their metal ribs fly in various directions.
But a little wind will not hurt your patio umbrella. Many umbrellas are made from fabric that will sag under low gusts before springing back into the original shape when the air flows smoothly. But if strong gusts occur, the springing action can rip the fabric and lead to tearing.
So to know how well your patio umbrella can withstand strong winds, we recommend checking your owner’s manual. Most manufacturers will include that information to warn users before it’s too late.
Can a Patio Umbrella Withstand Winds?
Many users believe that their patio umbrellas are created to resist heavy winds. However, they will get damaged by strong winds, not to mention storms.
If umbrellas have lightweight fabric, the wind can pull their fabric and support poles from stable positions.
Plus, even high-end models made from sustained fabric are also at risk since the wind might break their support beams.
During a windstorm, the wind will rip through an area, blowing and toppling any lighter-weight material. It will affect your patio umbrella as it grabs the fabric and drags it along the wind’s path.
But the good news is that many modern models are made for durability in strong winds, and the best ones feature a center pole that is attached to a strong base or concrete.
Popular models include offset bases with four legs on the outer edge and two legs close to their center.
The umbrella stand has crossbars, crisscrossing bars, or Y-shaped bases with two legs on each side and two central supports.
What Are Patio Umbrellas Best for Wind?
When buying one umbrella that can resist the strongest wind, you’ll want to consider canvas or vinyl products. They might be the strongest materials available but also the most expensive options.
So if you are after a less expensive option, you should consider a patio umbrella made with polyester fabrics.
They are still commonly lighter than their canvas counterparts and can deal with some moderate winds.
Canvas and vinyl patio umbrellas are ideal for resisting solid winds. They are commonly made of heavy-duty materials that are effective in resisting shredding and tearing in heavy gusts.
Also, umbrellas with aluminum bases and frames are more durable than those built with wood, but they might be more prone to rusting.
Canvas products usually are lighter than their vinyl counterpart, making them more effortless to carry when moving or storing.
But due to their lightweight, they may not resist solid winds for long periods.
Polyester fabric is strong and thin enough to resist shredding and tearing during the moderate wind.
This material is also easy to clean, making it ideal for areas with a lot of debris and dirt that can get caught in the webbing of umbrella canopies.
You must remember that polyester umbrellas do not work great against strong wind gusts.
How To Prevent Your Umbrella from Getting Blown By Wind?
Buy Wind Resistant Umbrellas
You might consider investing in wind-resistant umbrellas or buying patio umbrella stands. One wind-resistant model is made to resist gusts that can quickly blow up ordinary patio umbrellas.
Wind-resistant designs use more spokes to help you deal with these nasty winds. The more spokes your patio umbrella has, the more tension is made, making it less likely to move around because of strong winds.
Bigger Base
Using a bigger base can help prevent the wind from moving your umbrella.
However, many people still do not pay attention to choosing the base size for their umbrellas.
A larger base might give you a safer and more comfortable feel. It is unnecessary to worry about the umbrella being blown by the wind. The bigger the base, the better it withstands strong winds.
A too-large base might lead to stability issues, so you should measure your patio table and ensure you’re obtaining a model that will fit comfortably.
Use Anchors
If you are in a region susceptible to strong winds, your umbrella will usually get blown even if it has a big enough base.
In this case, you may want to try putting sandbags or weight bags on each leg of this umbrella to support it to withstand strong winds.
Using weight bags seems like a good way, but they may not be convenient if you frequently move your umbrella from one place to another. So you can get a few sandbags and fill them with water or sand when moving your umbrella.
It is easy to fill and lift sandbags. You can fill them with dry sand, wet sand, or water. It is okay to attach these bags using bungee cords or hooks available at your home.
So you should opt for one cantilever umbrella if you are looking for a model that can withstand windy circumstances. This umbrella type comes in numerous models to meet your budget and requirements.
How Does A Windproof Umbrella Function?
A windproof patio umbrella is designed to resist the strongest gusts. The secret behind this is controlling the flow of air via the canopy of this umbrella.
The air will pass through the windproof patio umbrellas’ double canopy, which features vents that reduce pressure on the outer canopy and allows the air to pass through.
That way, it will ease the strain on the support structure of these umbrellas.
A windproof patio umbrella also features a wide, solid base that does not enable much wind to pass beneath them.
These umbrellas might also feature larger ribs than standard models to support the larger canopy. You can also use these umbrellas in other elements, such as snow or rain.
Can a Cantilever Umbrella Withstand Winds?
One cantilever umbrella is an excellent option for wind resistance as it is supported and suspended by a support rod located on one side instead of in the middle of its canopy, like a regular umbrella.
Its unique design delivers stability, safety, strength, and adaptability. Thanks to the flexible base, its canopy can move in heavy winds without snapping or uprooting.
Moreover, this umbrella type offers shade from any angle, whether rain or sun.
Conclusion
How windy is too windy for a patio umbrella? A few good-quality patio umbrellas can resist prolonged winds of up to 40 mph, while most will not withstand sustained winds of 20 mph.
So it is best to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or recommendations and follow them.