What You Should Know Before Buying Beach Umbrellas

Everyone enjoys a day out on the beach, especially during summer. The chill breeze from the ocean mixed with the blazing sun is the perfect blend for outdoor relaxation. Although we enjoy this blend, it’s hard to stay under the scorching summer sun for too long without of course, getting scorched. To stay on the beach longer, we all rely on sun-blocking beach umbrellas or risk some harm to our bodies. You can see some health risks of constant exposure to sunlight here: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/health-effects-uv-radiation. 

As you plan your next trip to the beach this summer, if you don’t already have a beach umbrella, there are few things you may want to consider before ordering one online, or heading over to the store to pick one up-the old-fashioned way. 
You should consider the following before buying a beach umbrella:• Size• Ease of use• Manufacturing material• Sun protection• Value for money

Size This will definitely be the first thing to ponder about when choosing a beach shade. Typically, you would want to get an umbrella that fits everyone that is likely to use it. If it’s only going to be a child and an adult, a 180cm to 120cm umbrella should do just fine. If an entire family will be taking cover under the shade, you should get the larger 220cm to 240cm sizes. 
When it comes to size, understanding what the manufacturer means by “diameter” is very important. Normally, a diameter is considered the length of the umbrella in a straight line from one end to the other but for some reason, some manufacturers measure theirs differently. Understanding the manufacture’s measurement is especially important for people who are mainly online shoppers. Speaking of online shoppers, click this link if you’re one and would like to get a new beach umbrella for this summer. 
Ease of UseAs important as getting the right size of beach shade is, being able to use it without much effort is also important. No one would fancy spending half an hour under the fiery summer sun trying to set up their shade. The umbrella you purchase should be easy to setup and secure properly in the sand to avoid it being blown away by the wind.
Umbrellas with large auger (screw in part) on the bottom pole are a lot easier to get into the sand at a decent depth.  Also, you can attach a metal rod to the lower pole to help twist it further into the sand. When doing this, make sure you stop when it feels much harder than when you started so you don’t bend or worse break the lower end of your pole. 



Manufacturing MaterialIt is true that how you take care of your umbrella determines how long it lasts, however, that is not all there is to a beach shade’s durability. The ability of an umbrella to last long also depends on the type of material it was made from. Nylon and pongee are two popular materials that are used in beach umbrella production today: 
NylonNylon is the most used material in manufacturing umbrellas. This is because they are impermeable to water and effectively block UV rays when woven tightly. They are flexible and light weight, making them very convenient and easy to carry about. Nylon is waterproof and resistant to fungi, molds, insects, and rot and so are very durable. 
PongeePongee is material made chiefly in China. It is soft and is made of thin, unbleached threads. They often feel like cotton which may be one of the reasons why it is more expensive that nylon made umbrellas. Pongee umbrellas are waterproof and do not soak up water even when exposed to it for extended periods. The best pongee beach umbrella to buy is the black coated one as it offers great UV protection. 
Sun ProtectionIt is pointless buying a beach umbrella that doesn’t offer maximum protection from the sun and its UV rays. Before making your final decision, ensure that the umbrella you’ve chosen to buy has the silver lining inside that is mainly responsible for UV protection. 


 Value for MoneyThe prices of beach umbrellas on the market are all over the place. These prices range from as low as $10 to as high as $200. Normally, one would think that the more expensive one should last longer and provide much more value, but that isn’t always the case. Very often, more expensive umbrellas are more expensive because of the fancy designs and patterns they have, and not because they are made to last longer. 
The lifespan of your umbrella mostly depends on how well you handle it and the type of weather conditions it is exposed to. To get the most value for your money, get a beach umbrella that has a wind vent that allows the wind blow through the umbrella. This way, less pressure is placed on the canopy. 
ConclusionWhile having a beach shade is a no-brainer in shielding yourself from the sun’s UV rays, using sunscreens and polarized sunglasses will also add extra protection to both your skin and eyes. 

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