In the earlier part of this century, when technology was not as
advanced as it is today, people heading to the beach had to make
arrangements for their treasure garden umbrellas. Most people dug up a hole in
the sand and the umbrella was planted in it. It was much later that the
same beach umbrella became an extremely common patio furniture
accessory. But you certainly could not dig a hole in your patio. As a
result, most patio tables were accommodated with an opening in the
center which served as the base for the patio umbrella. It served the
purpose alright but was not very flexible. What if you wanted to move
the umbrella to another corner of the garden? You had to move the entire
table along. This is why umbrella stands were created. Umbrella stands
are a portable base for the outdoor or garden umbrella and provide it
stability on almost any kind of surface. You simply have to fit the
umbrella in the opening provided in the center of the stand and lock it.
Umbrella stands are an important part of any outdoor furniture set
today. Most people who invest in an outdoor umbrella also invest in a
stand.

Factors to be considered

Choosing the right
umbrella stand is extremely crucial and it should be the precise size
and weight to provide the necessary stability to the umbrella. Some
umbrella stands work with the center tables. There are others which are
free standing umbrella stands. They come in all kinds of materials as
well which includes cast iron, wrought iron, brass, wood, wicker,
plastic and resin. Most of them are designed to resemble classic art
ensembles and have intrinsic patterns on them. So there are Tuscany
designs, European designs, sunflower designs, Chinese designs and many
other designs to choose from. Weight is an extremely important factor
and you should always understand the weight requirements for umbrella
stands. Umbrella stands that weigh 20-45lbs are usually ideal for
tables. The main function of these umbrella stands is to prevent the
umbrella from floating off in a strong breeze. Freestanding umbrellas on
the other hand require a much heavier base. A typical 9 to 10 feet
umbrella requires a stand that weighs at least 75lbs. Always look at the
quality, design and the reliability of the product that you choose.

Some
types

Since weight is an important factor, you will find that
most patio umbrella stands are made of heavy duty materials. Cast iron
is one of them. Brown cast iron umbrella stands are made of the best
quality cast iron and coated with a rust proof chemical. This prevents
the cast iron from rusting. It will last for four to five years without
the need for any kind of retouching. The best part about cast iron is
that most stands weigh almost 50 pounds and you do not need any added
weight distribution for the umbrellas. Another material that is commonly
used to make stands is brass. Brass is equally heavy and actually looks
better than cast iron. But a brass umbrella stand can easily develop a
mold like condition called verdigris. It needs to be maintained from
time to time to ensure that it lasts long. Wooden umbrella stands will
enhance the look of the umbrella but it needs added weight to be added
to provide stability. If you are planning to buy a wooden umbrella stand
then ensure that you only choose the best quality wood. An antique oak
umbrella stand would be a good choice. Some people also choose a wicker
umbrella stand. Eventually it depends on personal choice and budget.