This patio umbrella served its purpose for a good 18 months in Southern California heat and sunshine; last week, the fabric tore at the end of two ribs (the metal arms that keep the umbrella taut and secure when fully open). I kept it open the entire time except the brief winter of 2014. Maybe if I had closed it more often, the fabric would have lasted longer, but I cant complain. It really did provide a tremendous amount of shade on my balcony. I will gladly purchase another one.
One day, I accidentally left it open on my patio on an extremely windy day. When I got home, my neighbor told me that the wind blew it (and the 30-lb base) over my 3rd floor balcony but it was left dangling over the railing. Then another gust of wind blew the whole thing over and landed on the yard below. THREE STORIES BELOW. When I brought the umbrella back into my condo, I was bracing myself for the worst and was angry with myself for leaving it out after only having it for about a week. I was SHOCKED at how little damage there was to it. I was expecting tears in the fabric and the metal framework to be completely broken after such a fall, but the umbrella looked as if it hadnt even blown itself over and down three stories! I am happy to report that its still in excellent condition four months later. I am extremely pleased with its construction, quality, and the cool shade that it has provided in very warm, sunny Southern California weather.
Surprisingly durable
This patio umbrella served its purpose for a good 18 months in Southern California heat and sunshine; last week, the fabric tore at the end of two ribs (the metal arms that keep the umbrella taut and secure when fully open). I kept it open the entire time except the brief winter of 2014. Maybe if I had closed it more often, the fabric would have lasted longer, but I cant complain. It really did provide a tremendous amount of shade on my balcony. I will gladly purchase another one. One day, I accidentally left it open on my patio on an extremely windy day. When I got home, my neighbor told me that the wind blew it (and the 30-lb base) over my 3rd floor balcony but it was left dangling over the railing. Then another gust of wind blew the whole thing over and landed on the yard below. THREE STORIES BELOW. When I brought the umbrella back into my condo, I was bracing myself for the worst and was angry with myself for leaving it out after only having it for about a week. I was SHOCKED at how little damage there was to it. I was expecting tears in the fabric and the metal framework to be completely broken after such a fall, but the umbrella looked as if it hadnt even blown itself over and down three stories! I am happy to report that its still in excellent condition four months later. I am extremely pleased with its construction, quality, and the cool shade that it has provided in very warm, sunny Southern California weather.