Wooden Garden Parasols are amongst the most popular type of parasol, mainly because of their affordable price tags and stylish looks. You can find wooden parasols in a variety of shapes and sizes and because manufacturers understand that you need your parasol to complement your garden cushions you will find a wide range of fabric colours and patterns.
When buying a wooden parasol there are a couple of things to look out for:
Type of wood
Your parasol should be constructed from hardwood, otherwise if will offer little resistance from weather and will not last you beyond one summer. Acacia is a popular hardwood and is usually very affordable. However, if you are looking to buy a sustainable hardwood from a well managed forest you need to look out for the FSC logo. Wood that has been granted FSC approval is guaranteed to be from a well managed and sustainable forest region. Eucalyptus is a great wood for outdoor use and you can find many retailers stocking FSC approved eucalyptus wooden parasols and garden furniture.
Do not buy a wooden parasol with a softwood frame, such as pine. Pine will soften and swell in moist, damp and humid conditions. When the weather cools it will shrink and may crack.
Mechanism
Wooden parasols do not lend themselves to a crank handle mechanism. The two main types of mechanisms available on wooden parasols are pulley ropes and standard push and peg. A parasol with pulley ropes is the simpler of the two to operate because the ropes take the bulk of the weight and will pull the canopy completely open, making it easier for those who are not too tall! The push system is like a traditionally umbrella opening whereby you hold the centre part and push it upwards so the arms of the canopy open up. With large parasols the sheer weight of the arms and fabric, plus the travel distance needed to open up fully can make this kind of mechanism tricky and cumbersome.
Fabric
Choose a fabric that will last more than one summer. This may sound obvious but many people make the mistake of buying a parasol with a cotton canvas canopy which has not been treated to resist any kinds of weather. Ideally, choose a polyester canopy that has been treated to be resistant to UVA rays (to prevent fading) and has an invisible coating that repels water.
A wooden parasol is a great addition to any garden, offering both shade and style to your garden dining set or sun loungers. Choose wisely and you will get a parasol to last you for years to come.
