Outdoor umbrellas are easiest to choose by mast position and shade movement rather than colour alone. Alfresco Outdoors & Heating's current range includes centrepost models such as Porch, Shelta Harbord and Fairlight, together with cantilever families including Pandanus, Asta, Lynden, Savannah and Regis in square, octagonal and rectangular sizes.
Centrepost umbrellas place the mast through the centre of the canopy. They suit outdoor dining tables with an umbrella hole or compact areas where the shade is expected to remain over one defined position. Shelta identifies features across its centrepost range such as crank-lift opening, collar-tilt adjustment on appropriate models and rust-resistant aluminium frames. A correctly sized centrepost base is still required even when the mast passes through a table.
Cantilever umbrellas suspend the canopy from a side mast, keeping the area beneath clearer for lounge furniture, poolside seating or dining layouts. Depending on the model, the range can add 360-degree rotation, vertical tilt and side-axis tilt. Those movements require clear space around the mast and canopy, so the umbrella must be checked in both open and rotated positions rather than measured as a static square.
Fabric and fixing are equally important. Shelta's current shade guidance covers polyester, olefin and solution-dyed O'Bravia options, while base requirements vary substantially by model and canopy size. Some cantilevers use ballast frames or resin bases; permanent installations can use a compatible bolt-down or in-ground solution.
Measure the furniture group, note the direction of afternoon sun and identify wind exposure before choosing. Then confirm the manufacturer's recommended base weight, installation method and protective cover for that exact umbrella.
