Garden Shade Dilemma - Ideas Please

A sail canopy is inexpensive and worth a try. All you need is something to tie it to and leave in place for the summer months.

I was thinking of getting one of those as our garden is too windy for an umbrella. There are already anchor points installed by previous owner but I’m worried it might damage the house or fence if it takes off in the wind.

I'm not sure how this nee work but the handle looks low, ferry23

We have one that fits into the outside table but this one looks larger and more easy to adjust.

www.ufurnish.com/en-gb/p/a/16792137/outsunny-3m-cantilever-parasol-with-easy-lever-crank-handle-6-metal-ribs-grey

Other types and retailers available.

Similar one available from B&Q
www.diy.com/departments/outsunny-3m-cantilever-parasol-with-easy-lever-crank-handle-6-metal-ribs-white/5056602952556_BQ.prd?irclickid=wbZVLnz6exyZUJqRnARa3V-PUkuy3BzlSw55z40&irpid=1249479&utm_source=impact&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=&utm_term=1249479&irgwc=1&afsrc=1

Last year we bought a large rectangular umbrella that you wind up. The shade it gives was just right and sufficient for both our chairs and the table without having to shuffle around. I think from Mayfair.

We have a remote-controlled awning. So simple to operate. Just one button for out and one for in. Stop halfway if you want. It has a sensor which closes it in high winds. Expensive but one of the best things we’ve ever bought. We even sit under it if it’s raining in summer. Also good for putting the clothes airer underneath if there’s a chance of a shower. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I love the sun and so do my patio plants but for shade I would just use a big umbrella, a shady hat, and would keep covered up.

Thank you, I'm not sure I explained myself clearly.

The crank mechanisms (wind up) look to be too high on the central pole for me to reach. I can't afford a motorised awning.

Thank you Allira - I have contacted the manufacturer and I would not be ble to reach the crank mechanism.

keepingquiet yes, I would like an umbrella but I'm looking for one where I can reach the mechanism to open and close it - that was my query.

Graphite - will investigate the sail idea, thanks.

I cannot take the intense heat either, my legs were burning from the sun today so I have bitten the bullet and sourced a really good parasol. It is height adjustable and tilts, made from a UV resistant fabric and is guaranteed for five years

I have had the cantilever parasol and left that when I moved house, I could not reach high enough and it needed a very heavy support base. I have had a balcony shade which was like a flapping scary sail when the wind blew, that was given away. It also needed a heavy base which I managed as a cross base with concrete 45cm slabs

I was not going to get a bog standard parasol this time, I wanted a very good one with an easy but good base. I found it, made in germany 2.5 x 2.5. The name is Baser and it was not cheap but s*d it I have transferred some savings. It will last me many many years and is able to cope with the strong winds I get here in s somerset.

We are bound to have intense heat this year and I will be able to tilt this parasol to keep the sun out of either my kitchen or living room and I won`t need to worry nor dash out to lower the sail

mybaser.co.uk/parasol.html

Graphite

A sail canopy is inexpensive and worth a try. All you need is something to tie it to and leave in place for the summer months.

Sail canopies look wonderful when first up, but if there are big trees nearby they do collect a lot of leaves & bird droppings.

Ferry, why not have a trip to one of the larger garden centres where they sell outdoor stuff……there’s normally lots on display and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you ‘trying something for size’!

Astitchintime

Ferry, why not have a trip to one of the larger garden centres where they sell outdoor stuff……there’s normally lots on display and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you ‘trying something for size’!

Because I'm housebound right now

I would think that a simple garden parasol with a heavyweight base would suffice. They're available in all the discount shops at the moment, plus DIY shops. Get a round base instead of a square, you can slightly pull the parasol towards you, still in the round base, and 'wheel' it around your garden for the perfect position. If you're housebound, perhaps a friend or relative could get one for you, it's nice to sit in the garden relaxing, but I can understand you don't want the sun beating down on you ☀️.

We have also just bought a remote controlled awning, ideal shade for outdoor dining table. The idea, as often written about. In the summer, if we're lucky weather wise, it turns the outside into another room. Well those were my thoughts behind that purchase. There are some lovely largish parasoles around. Ours gave up last year, we'd had it a while.

I have a cantilever parasol and it is heavy to put up and can be quite problematic in wind (I have had to lie it down)

I was going to suggest an awning but see you have already said you cannot afford one

At 5'2" I had to stand on a stool to operate our cantilever parasol. It was weighted down with patio slabs, but the actual shade would swing in the wind and one day it ended up with the arms all mangled and the canopy was hanging upset down in a tree 😱. Never again.

TheSunRisesInTheEast

I would think that a simple garden parasol with a heavyweight base would suffice. They're available in all the discount shops at the moment, plus DIY shops. Get a round base instead of a square, you can slightly pull the parasol towards you, still in the round base, and 'wheel' it around your garden for the perfect position. If you're housebound, perhaps a friend or relative could get one for you, it's nice to sit in the garden relaxing, but I can understand you don't want the sun beating down on you ☀️.

Yes, a parasol is exactly what I want! But I haven't yet found one where I can safely reach the opening mechanism. That is my point!

I'm going to phone some manufacturers tomorrow.

Gran22boys

We have a remote-controlled awning. So simple to operate. Just one button for out and one for in. Stop halfway if you want. It has a sensor which closes it in high winds. Expensive but one of the best things we’ve ever bought. We even sit under it if it’s raining in summer. Also good for putting the clothes airer underneath if there’s a chance of a shower. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

D'you have a link for that please Gran22boys ? Thank you. Terribull?

I’m in a predicament too about what to buy. Our lounge overlooks the garden which is SW facing, it’s a small house so we have nowhere else to sit the kitchen is too small.
We’ve had a quote for a manual awning but it’s 3k too much for us too.
I was miserable most of last summer as it was far too hot for me even though we have blackout blinds.
How tall are the cantilever parasols I need it to cover at least one set of windows ? I’m not tall either so looking for recommendations too.

ferry23

TheSunRisesInTheEast

I would think that a simple garden parasol with a heavyweight base would suffice. They're available in all the discount shops at the moment, plus DIY shops. Get a round base instead of a square, you can slightly pull the parasol towards you, still in the round base, and 'wheel' it around your garden for the perfect position. If you're housebound, perhaps a friend or relative could get one for you, it's nice to sit in the garden relaxing, but I can understand you don't want the sun beating down on you ☀️.

Yes, a parasol is exactly what I want! But I haven't yet found one where I can safely reach the opening mechanism. That is my point!

I'm going to phone some manufacturers tomorrow.

I can open ours, it has a rotary handle low down but I cannot reach to tilt it!.

It's called a crank handle, I think.

Yogitree I got mine from Hillarys. Awnings are on their website.

Yes, Allira, ours have crank handles (we've got five or six dotted about the patio and large garden), the crank is about elbow height for me, so very easy to operate.

We got ours from A&A Garage Doors, Exmouth, Devon Tel: 01395 642642
Email: [email protected]
www.aandagaragedoors.com
I am sure they could tell you of a supplier in your area.

Aldi are selling a tilt & crank parasol, green, rust stripes or cool grey for £29.99, in store Thursday 30th April. No mention of a base, but they're available elsewhere (B & M, Home Bargains.)