Terrace umbrellas and bases

Shade decides which terrace tables guests ask for at lunch. This group holds 13 pieces: aluminum and wood umbrellas from 7.5 to 11 feet, free-standing umbrella bases, and table bases made to take an umbrella pole. Settle first whether each umbrella stands through a table or on its own base, because that choice sets which base you order.

Through the table or beside it

An umbrella through the center of a table needs a table drilled for the pole, so pair it with a patio table drilled for an umbrella and an umbrella table base at standard or bar height. Those table bases come in black cast iron and in a round outdoor version, both listed in standard and bar heights, so the dining terrace and the pool bar can share one style of shade. An umbrella beside a table, or over a cluster of chairs near the pool bar, needs a free-standing base of its own. Two of those bases roll on casters, which helps when the shade has to follow the sun across the terrace during a long lunch.

Sizes, frames and the price

Aluminum umbrellas come in 7.5, 9 and 11 feet; the wood umbrella comes in 9 feet. Compare the 9-foot aluminum umbrella at $254 with the 9-foot wood umbrella at $227: one job, two looks, the first beside a row of aluminum chairs, the second beside teak-look ones. Base materials here are steel on five pieces, cast iron on two, and concrete and stainless steel on one each. The black cast iron umbrella base is one of the free-standing choices. Prices start around $121 and reach $525.

Care through the season

Close each umbrella and tie it down at the end of every service, and whenever the wind picks up across the pool deck. Make that part of the closing routine your terrace team signs off, like stacking the chairs. Rinse the frames and bases, let the canopy dry fully before it is furled for the night, and store the lot under cover when the season ends.

Placing shade on the plan

Mark every umbrella on the terrace drawing in a property plan, together with the tables beneath it, and keep bases out of the 36-inch service aisle. For warmth after sunset, see patio heaters. The rest of the terrace is in the outdoor department.