Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

While umbrellas are commonly associated with rain, they are also used to shield us from the sun.  In fact, the latter is the larger, nobler purpose, as it is more important, health-wise.  After all, getting wet in a cloudburst is not going to hurt anyone (except, perhaps, the Wicked Witch of the West, but I believe she’s dead, anyway).  On the other hand, as we all know, if we’re exposed to them for long periods, the sun’s rays can do a lot of damage to our skin and eyes.

Actually, that more dignified use is the one that served the members of nobility so well, centuries ago.  Back then, the original umbrellas were carried over the royals, not only to keep them shaded and cool, but to protect their skin as well.  The same was true of the early patio umbrellas that were used in ancient Rome and Greece.

Even now, staying out of direct sunlight seems to be the bigger concern for many of us.  For example, when looking for a seat on a restaurant’s patio during the day, most people will avoid any outdoor dining table that doesn’t have a patio umbrella.  When we take our beach umbrellas with us to the shore, it’s generally not because we’re afraid of rain, but because we want shelter from the sun.  That’s also why street vendors have market umbrellas over their carts.

Undoubtedly, there are even more, very gallant, acts that these outdoor umbrellas perform, besides simply safeguarding us from rays and rain.  Remember, there are other things that can fall out of the sky, which would be quite unpleasant to have land on our skin, clothes, picnic tables, food, or drinks.  Naturally, I’m talking about the leaves and sap that often drop from the trees.  I certainly can’t think of anything else.

Now, I am absolutely not downplaying the importance of the patio umbrella in keeping things dry.  That definitely is a great thing, as outdoor party plans don’t have to be canceled just because there’s a chance of rain.  I mean, it’s quite comforting to know that you won’t have to endure the disaster of having your hair get all wet!

Of course, like outdoor furniture, patio umbrellas have undergone significant improvements over the years.  For one thing, you can get one that features a tilting mechanism, which lets you adjust the angle of the umbrella’s canopy in accordance with the sun’s position, so that you will always have full coverage.

Another wonderful thing about today’s outdoor umbrellas is that they are available in every color imaginable, as well as scores of patterns, and endless color combinations.  Therefore, you can match them with your outdoor décor, as well as the outdoor furniture cushions on your patio chairs and chaise lounges.

Among the greatest attributes of an outdoor umbrella, however, is its aptitude for providing privacy, whether your picnic table is set up in your backyard, or on your patio.  Even if you have fences, walls, trellises, arbors, or garden screens, a nosy nearby neighbor may be able to look down on your outdoor living space.

On the other hand, if you have a patio umbrella, you’ll block the view from above; and, no matter how valuable it is in any other area, its ability to foil a prying neighbor’s curiosity is priceless!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, beach umbrellas, chaise lounges, outdoor decor, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor umbrellas, patio chairs, patio umbrella, patio umbrellas, picnic table, picnic tables, trellises

In recent blogs, we have been discussing deck safety.  Although this issue is paramount throughout the year, it is particularly important in the summer, when decks are brimming with people, picnic tables, patio chairs, gliders, lounges, grills, toys, coolers, and, in many cases, mini refrigerators and other appliances. 

As mentioned, among the things that make decks especially vulnerable to damage are the people who build them, and the fact that most of them are fully exposed to the elements all year long (the decks, not the people – or so one hopes).  However, even though your deck is subject to a lot of moisture, there are many things that you can do to protect the wood. 

Obviously, weatherproofing a deck with a stain and/or sealant when it’s new can make a big difference.  If you’re just going to seal it, use a high-quality product that’s water-repellent or waterproof, as opposed to being simply water-resistant, to prevent moisture from seeping into the wood.  Like stains, sealants are available tinted in many different shades.  Be sure to get one with a high UV protection rating, which will prevent a lot of damage, not only from water, but from the sun’s rays, which can also cause significant harm. 

While most people do seal their decks at first, we get a lot of questions about how often to re-treat them; and, naturally, it depends upon the product, and the regional weather.  One way to tell when it’s time for another application is to pour a glass of water over the boards.  If the water beads up, the deck is still water-repellent; if it is absorbed, you’d better re-seal it.   

Whether or not to stain the deck is completely a matter of personal taste.  Staining can enhance the look of the wood’s grain, by giving it a deeper, richer color.  It can also restore the color and character of older decks that have gotten bleached out by the sun over the years.  As always, get a stain that offers maximum protection from UV rays. 

Also remember that the deck isn’t the only thing that needs to be shielded from the sun.  While you’re out having your summer fun, slather yourself with a sun block that has an adequate SPF.  Then, and add some insurance with a patio umbrella that has a high UV protection rating.  CedarStore.com has hundreds of them; and, in fact, with all of the colors, patterns, and combinations thereof, it’s more like thousands.  Oh, yeah, and don’t forget the beach umbrella for extra shelter at the shore.

After all, umbrella coverage is the best way to stack the deck in your favor.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: beach umbrella, deck, decks, patio umbrella, umbrella