Shade and style with outdoor umbrellas
Selecting the correct umbrella for an accommodation setting requires some thought, balancing safety considerations, climate conditions, design elements and the available space
According to the 2023 Hospitality Experience Survey, outdoor spaces are some of the most widely preferred amenities for guests. For Gen Z and Millennial guests, an onsite swimming pool takes the top spot, and 38 percent of respondents travelling with young children place high value on on-site children’s play areas.
And while enjoying the sunshine in these outdoor spaces is essential to the holiday experience for many guests, harsh UV rays can be damaging. A high quality and well-designed shade umbrella can reduce UV exposure by up to 75 percent. When used in conjunction with other forms of sun protection, shade umbrellas are one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer.
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Well-designed umbrellas and shade structures also contribute to the aesthetic appeal of outdoor spaces. Stylish and thoughtfully placed umbrellas can transform ordinary patios and pool decks into visually appealing retreats, encouraging guests to spend more time outside or even creating an ‘Instagrammable’ space.
Jason Condon from Daydream Leisure Furniture, has seen first-hand the dual functionality of umbrellas as shade structures and style statements.
“Families seeking a holiday experience want their kids to enjoy the freedom of outdoor spaces while keeping them safe from the harsh Australian sun,” he explained. “But not only are umbrellas a terrific way of providing shade, they also promote a resort feel to an environment.”
Selecting the correct umbrella for an accommodation setting requires some thought, balancing safety considerations, climate conditions, design elements and the available space. We asked some industry insiders for their perspectives.
Selecting the right materials
Fabric and colour selection have a significant impact on commercial umbrellas, and this extends beyond aesthetics.
Skyspan Shade Marketing Manager Katrina Evans said the right canopy material is key to ensuring the longevity of your investment. “Best-in-class canopy fabric is essential when selecting a permanent commercial umbrella. Following years of testing fabrics in a multitude of commercial and industrial environments, our recommendation is to use an architectural grade PVC,” Ms Evans said. “A high tensile PVC that is purposefully designed for umbrellas, and has been pretensioned in manufacture, so it is not compromised by the constant deploying and retraction of the canopy will extend the life of the umbrella.
“Additionally, architectural grade PVC offers vibrant long lasting colour choice, with the additional benefits of being waterproof, high heat reflection, UV resistance, 50+ UV rated, fade resistance, anti-fungal, and flame-retardant qualities. This means the canopy is easy-care and will last the distance. These umbrellas can also easily be reskinned if the look is to be updated.”
Mr Condon added that ensuring the frame is constructed with quality materials is important. “Aluminium of a decent wall thickness is an excellent frame material,” he explained. “Synthetic fabrics are suited to the canopy and if the budget permits, a more permanent wind rated umbrella is a great long term, minimum management option.”
Choosing the perfect colour
Umbrellas are becoming a statement piece, with many accommodation operators choosing colours and designs to spark interest.
Mr Condon said: “We are finding that charcoal, taupe and off white are ever popular. There has been a move, though, to a splash of colour in muted earthy tones such as burnt orange, duck egg blue and sage.”
Ms Evans said when selecting a canopy colour, it is important to consider the solar and light properties the colour provides. “For warmer climates, a colour that provides maximum solar reflection may be required. For a cooler under-canopy feel you may consider lighter colours like white, champagne or vanilla.
“To lighten up the area beneath the canopy, a bright, vibrant colour with a high solar transmission may be considered. Colours including orange and yellow shades can provide a lighter under-canopy feel.”
Umbrella design, functionality and safety
Poorly designed or secured umbrellas can quickly ruin the resort-like feel for holiday makers if they become airborne, turn inside out or collapse during periods of high winds.
For areas that are prone to extreme weather or high wind speeds, Mr Condon recommends a centre post design as they are inherently more wind resistant as the load is shared on either side. “Wind resistance is a must, as is simplicity of function so that staff can quickly and easily pull the umbrella down if required,” he said.
Ms Evans agreed that wind resistance is an essential feature. “It is crucial that permanent commercial grade umbrellas can withstand high wind speeds upwards of 118km/h to 148km/h.”
Design choice will be impacted by the location of the umbrella, the available space and the functionality required.
“For poolside, retractable umbrellas tend to be the most popular choice, particularly cantilevered,” she said.
Adding a rotational base to a cantilever umbrella allows you to adjust the position of the umbrella to continue to provide shade as the sun moves during the day. Mr Condon stressed, though that hoteliers must ensure that patrons are not permitted to adjust the umbrellas themselves and that staff are well-trained in their operation.
“Cantilever umbrellas are popular for pool areas but as moving parts are a potential weak point, you want to minimise patrons using these features on the umbrella,” he said. “For this reason, for accommodation operators, I recommend a simple rope pulley on a centre post or minimum features on a cantilever.”
Sarah is a freelance journalist with experience across print, digital and audio. After working for Multimedia Publishing as a contributing writer, she has recently joined the team in a part-time capacity for School News AU and AccomNews.