garden parasols

moneyistooshorttomention

Not sure what size/make/etc to buy for my metal garden furniture set.

It is a good-quality set - so I want a good-quality parasol with it. The type that can tilt over is probably a good idea.

My garden table is round and 90cm size - so I'm not actually sure what would be the correct size of parasol for it in the first place. I gather 2.5 metre would be too big for that size table. However - I am then getting lost as to whether to make it 1.6 metres, 1.8 metres, 2 metres or 2.2 metres.

Then we're off into push up or pulley or crank and tilt.

My head is starting to hurt.

What has everyone else got please?

moneyistooshorttomention

Anyone.......?

bouicca21

TBH, Money, I just wouldn't bother. I've never yet found one that would reliably cast the shadow where it was wanted.

REEN

Mine only came out of the shed once last summer, I can't even remember what type it is. I suppose the size you need depends on how many people you are expecting to sit under it.

PasturesNew

I've got one that I was donated. Not used it yet as my garden's too windy to put one up without it taking off.... in fact, I don't even sit outside as it's perpetually windy.

How many days' use will you really get out of it?

What's it for? To keep the sun off your head? To stop birds dive-bombing your snacks? Or to shade visitors that arrive frequently to partake of cucumber sandwiches and afternoon tea?

If it's just you, sitting outside occasionally, might as well just get yourself a hat.

REEN

This may help http://www.tesco.com/direct/buying-guides/garden-parasol-buying-guide.page (if we haven't put you off buying one).

moneyistooshorttomention

It's for a table for 4 people - and I'm very conscious of having some form of sun protection if sitting around outside for long because I have a father with skin cancer. To date - I've come up with loads of skin blemishes that had to be removed - but they've all been of the cosmetic variety. The cosmetic ones are hassle enough - without getting ones that are a medical problem too.:eek:

Davesnave

There are various sun screens used by those of us who rarely sit down or stay still in the garden/outdoors. I use the kids' ones: Factor 50.

I try to sit down, but then I always see something that needs doing!

In any event, living on the coast or at altitude, parasols are not the easiest things to keep stable. We have one and wedon't use it now.

Years ago, when I lived in a top floor flat, I looked down onto a south-facing patio. There, the owner had constructed a simple pergola and clothed it with vines. In the summer it provided great shade, in the autumn it produced grapes and in the winter it didn't take much light from the interior of the house.

I haven't yet made that pergola, but the intention is still growing there in the back of my mind.

PasturesNew

Davesnave wrote: »

I haven't yet made that pergola, but the intention is still growing there in the back of my mind.

I see them and think: creepy crawlies will be able to drop down on my head from that!



And: When it's stopped raining, it'll continue dripping for HOURS under that.

missbiggles1

I've got one like this (except bigger and rectangular) which covers half the deck. I'm very pleased with it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bentley-Garden-Hanging-Umbrella-Parasol/dp/B00829I42W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458470316&sr=8-1&keywords=parasol

moneyistooshorttomention

Hmmm...you're putting ideas in my head there Dave. I like pergolas and I like grapes.

Not sure how well grapes would do over here - particularly when planted in pots...:cool: