We often feel uncomfortable when the sun beats down on our shoulders during the summer months in Australia. While the unbearable heat and sweat add to our discomfort, the UV rays could also damage our health. So we would suggest that you take an ample amount of precautions against the harmful rays of the sun before the summer sets in in the country.
In fact, institutions such as the Cancer Council of Australia actively promote sun safety and prescribe us to follow SunSmart initiatives. The 5 essential steps that SunSmart asks us to take to protect ourselves against the sun are:
- Wearing covered clothing
- Applying sunscreen
- Putting on a hat
- Wearing sunglasses
- Installing a shade
Erecting a shade is probably one of the most practical forms of sun protection. Well-designed and well-positioned shade structures can reduce UV ray exposure significantly. So we suggest that you install a shade system over your outdoor area to make sure you can enjoy the great Australian outdoors. There are various types of shade solutions like cantilever umbrellas or patio umbrellas. They are also available in various different shapes and sizes like rectangular cantilever umbrellas or square cantilever umbrellas or round cantilever umbrellas.
These days, you can also customize your cantilever umbrellas according to your needs. If your outdoor space is quite big, you can always opt for a large cantilever umbrella and vice versa. Read on to learn about how you can choose the best cantilever umbrella in Australia.
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When do we need a shade?
The World Health Organization’s Global Solar UV Index measures UV levels on a scale of 0 (low) to 11+ (extreme). Sun protection is recommended at all times throughout the year (not just summer) when UV levels are 3 (moderate) or higher.
What are the kinds of shades that you should look for?
An ideal shade solution provides protection from direct sunlight with excellent coverage from above and the side to account for UV ray reflection from surfaces. It’s also crucial to factor in the sun’s position throughout the day. We suggest a few shade solutions that you can look into:
Patio umbrellas
We suggest that you go back to basics when looking for shade solutions. You can select a nice large patio umbrella to shade yourself from the sun during the summer months. Most good-quality umbrellas are UV-resistant and can last long. They are mainly made of fabrics such as Olefin, Spanish recasens, and PVC. Most of the umbrellas come with weighted bases to reduce the chances of them flying away. You can also attach additional weights to stabilize them further.
Cantilever umbrellas
A cantilever umbrella is a shade solution that is suspended in the air, supported from the side rather than the center, offering open and unobstructed shelter from the sun. For your better understanding, imagine that you are in a room outside created entirely of balmy summer air and generous shade. You are relaxing on a lounger or a chair, conversing, or enjoying the view across a free, open space instead of around a base and pole.
You can opt for a rectangular cantilever umbrella or a square one but ensure that they are strong, robust, and sturdy.
Features of shade solutions:
By now, we are certain that you have realised the importance of umbrellas as shade solutions to beat the heat during Australian summers. While you can either opt for a patio umbrella or a cantilever umbrella, you must also look for a few important features in these umbrellas such as the fabric, portability, etc.
Fabric/material
An umbrella made of good quality material could block out 99% of UV radiation. A few of the fabrics that are being used to make these umbrellas are:
- Acrylic
- Olefin
- Spanish Recasens
- Italian Para Tempotest
- PVC
Tilt feature
Imagine that even as the hot sun moves across the sky, your umbrella stays above you and shelters you all the way. This is because of the tilt mechanism in the umbrellas. The best cantilever umbrellas in Australia provide this feature, where the structure effortlessly tilts either towards the mast or from side to side. Large cantilever umbrellas can also rotate 360° around the mast. These features let you enjoy the maximum amount of shade throughout the day.
Portability
Portability is an important feature that you should look for if you are buying umbrellas. There are plenty of umbrellas with sturdy bases that can be easily moved to different parts of the patio or pool or backyard. So look for lightweight umbrellas that are comfortable to carry around.
Conclusion
An ideal way to enjoy your outdoor space is to find a shade solution that will protect your friends and family from the sun’s harmful rays. While you can always go for a patio or cantilever umbrella, you can also customize your shading solutions by choosing any flexible fabric and combining it with a corrosion-resistant frame in any configuration. You can also select your own pattern and style the umbrella according to your needs. It is also important to note that you must always buy a top-quality umbrella that is durable and long-lasting.
However, we are certain that if you follow our above-mentioned tips, you will be able to install a shade that will make a world of difference!
