Our Guide to Parasols

What is FSC?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network to promote responsible management of the world's forests. FSC brings people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices and to reward good forest management. Environmentally appropriate forest management ensures that the harvest of timber retains the forest's biodiversity and ecology.

Socially beneficial forest management helps both local people and society at large to enjoy long term benefits and also provides strong incentives to local people to sustain the forest resource. Economically viable forest management means that forest operations are structured and managed so as to be sufficiently profitable, without generating financial profit at the expense of the forest resources, the ecosystem or affected communities

Which size parasol is right for me?
This depends on whether you intend to use your parasol with or without a table. Please see below our suggestions.

Which parasol frame is right for me?
If you intend to use your parasol with a wood set, we suggest you buy a wood parasol. The same applies for an aluminium set/aluminium parasol. However Stainless Steel parasols can look very nice against a wood finish, you may want to take this into account.

Can I leave my parasol up over night?
We do not recommend you leave your parasol up outside whatever the conditions. If you are not using your parasol, we strongly suggest you remove the parasol from the table or base and place in storage. During the summer we suggest you use a parasol night cover to ensure your canopy and frame stay clean. This will also protect against fading. During the winter we suggest you store your parasol in a dry and safe environment, preferably a shed or a garage.

Will my parasol canopy fade?
This depends entirely on the type of fabric used to make the canopy, if it is manufactured from polyester it will fade over time (2-3 years). If your parasol canopy is made from acrylic or olefin it should not fade at all. However long time fading may occur (4-5 years). If you look after your parasol, by using a cover in the summer and storage in the winter your parasol cover should not fade at all. Regardless of the type of fabric.

Which parasol base should I use?
This depends on the size of the parasol please see our suggestions:

 
Should I treat the wood on my parasol frame?
We do not recommend you ever treat the wood on your parasol frame, the wood on a parasol frame is often different to the wood on furniture - it can be lacquered or have a special finish to ensure against rot.