The one downside to outdoor lounging is this; that pesky sun doesn’t stay in
one place. It’s always the same; you find a nice shady spot under your favorite
patio umbrella, and what happens? A few minutes later that pesky hot, bright
sun comes peaking under the umbrella canopy right into your face and eyes.
There goes your perfect little shady spot! However, one of the coolest things
that a quality patio umbrella can do is... drum roll please… TILT. You reach
up, tilt your umbrella, and viola, your perfect little shady spot is back.
But HOW your umbrella tilts can be the determining factor in how much you enjoy
your patio and your favorite shady spot.
Usually, a patio umbrella shopper will first choose an umbrella based on the
pole color or the umbrella canopy cover. For the most part, it’s the canopy
that draws your attention, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s only when you’re
locked into a style that you feel best fits your patio design that you notice
that the patio umbrella you’ve chosen has a particular tilt function.
Sometimes, this means that you have to make sacrifices in the design of your
umbrella, because the tilt function you would like to have doesn’t come in the
outdoor fabric color you want, or the pole frame finish that best fits your
patio design.
The principal of umbrella tilting is basically the same, you do something at
the crank or under the canopy, and the umbrella tilts. However, to arm you with
the right knowledge of the definitive feature of any patio umbrella, let’s
break down the different tilting functions into their pro’s and con’s so you
can make an informed and satisfying choice.
There are basically two categories of tilting features, Manual and Mechanical.
Manual tilting umbrellas, as the name implies, tilt based on you having to tilt
the canopy manually. Mechanical tilting is when a mechanism function allows you
to tilt the umbrella without touching the canopy.
MANUAL TILTING
PUSH-BUTTON TILT
The Push-Button Tilt is the granddaddy of tilting functions. Built on a simple
but very sound engineering principle, push-button tilts have been around almost
as long as the modern patio umbrella. Evolving from an original hole-and-peg
system, the push-button tilt quickly became a standard umbrella feature. The
basic function is this; at the top of the umbrella pole, just below the
umbrella ribs, you’ll find a button. The button is usually a simple, inward
curved button made of metal. Push the button inwards, and you release a lock on
the lever that allows the umbrella to tilt. Typically with a push button tilt,
you have to manually hold the umbrella canopy to in order to get it into the
right position. Most quality push-button tilt umbrellas have three positions,
however, some are known to have two, or even just one default tilt position.
Once you find the tilt position you want, you release the spring loaded button,
and it locks the umbrella tilting lever to the position you’ve chosen.
Pro’s: The push-button tilt is simple and strong, set it and forget it. The
tilting lever is set to three optimum positions that you will find satisfactory
most of the time. And you’re getting a great value; you get a nice tilting
umbrella for little upfront expense.
Cons: With a push-button tilt, you have to manually hold the umbrella canopy to
get it in your preferred position. Also, you have to stand and manually DO the
tilt. On less than standard umbrellas, there is a small danger of pinching your
finger in the button or the tilt lever. CushionsAndUmbrellas.com Push-Button
Tilts are top of the line, expertly crafted umbrellas. This is not a real
danger with our umbrellas.
Summary: If you need a simple, standard umbrella with no bells and whistles,
this is the tilt for you. Also, if you have a large patio area that you’d like
to put more umbrellas in for different shade areas or your house guests, but
don’t want to run the expense of buying upper end umbrellas for all of your
shading areas, this is the perfect umbrella. It’s also a great umbrella for
commercial applications such as restaurants, clubs and hotels.
Umbrellas available with Push-Button Tilts:
9 Foot Aluminum
Push-Button Tilt Patio Umbrella
7 Foot Aluminum
Patio Umbrella
MECHANICAL-TILTING UMBRELLAS
AUTOMATIC-TILT
The Automatic Tilt umbrella is a great innovation that literally changed the
face our outdoor patio. This is simply a great feature that has quickly grown
into the most popular feature in any outdoor umbrella, ever, and it’s quite
simple in its application.
All aluminum umbrellas usually open by turning the crank, found at an optimum
placement just above most table levels. Most aluminum umbrellas open by using
the crank. But the automatic tilt umbrella has an added feature that’s, well,
just great. Once the umbrella is completely open, you keep turning the umbrella
crank, and the umbrella tilts. It works by a series of mechanical levers and
joints inside the umbrella pole. And because the tilting feature in automatic’s
don’t rely on joint settings (it uses the tension and position of the interior
cord for position,) the tilting positions run the full spectrum of positions.
In an automatic tilt umbrella, there is no preset or default tilt positions, so
you can tilt your umbrella just a little, or a little more, or a full tilt.
That’s what makes the automatic tilt umbrella the most popular tilting feature
in the US.
In fact, the umbrella is so popular, that it’s hard pressed not to call it
outdoor furniture, because it’s just not limited to the outdoor table anymore.
You can find auto-tilt umbrellas anywhere, like poolside, or smaller shading
areas in your patio. For more information on using umbrellas in designing,
click here.
Pros: No manual lifting or changing, because you don’t have to get up to tilt
the umbrella. The umbrella opens and tilts from the same position, so it’s easy
to use, and no strain on the back. Just sit and...Lounge. Same goes for closing
the umbrella. Just crank the opposite way, and your umbrella tilts back into
position, and closes, no getting up and manually un-tilting umbrella.
Cons: There are hardly any cons to owning an auto-tilt umbrella, other than
placement, and changing the direction of the umbrella for different positions
of the Sun. Some sub-standard auto-tilts break after extended use, but
CushionsAndUmbrellas.com automatic tilt umbrellas are engineered for extended
use, and use above-standard material in its construction.
Summary: The most popular tilt function in the US for a reason, the automatic
tilt is just a joy to have and easy to use. Usually automatic tilt umbrellas
come in a plethora of sizes, frame colors and cover choices, and it’s also
considered a “best bet” choice amongst patio experts across the nation.
Umbrellas available with Automatic Tilts:
9 Foot Aluminum Auto
Tilt Patio Umbrella
9 Foot Deluxe
Aluminum Auto Tilt Patio Umbrella
COLLAR-TILT
The collar tilt umbrella is a neat little innovation in tilting that sprouted
up in the early nineties. No exactly an automatic tilting feature, nonetheless
it’s a great example of user friendly engineering that can really add to your
table use umbrellas.
A collar tilt umbrella works basically the same way as other aluminum market
umbrellas. You turn the crank at the housing, and the umbrella opens. However,
what makes the collar tilt different is that at the top of the crank housing,
there is a ring or “collar” that tilts the umbrella. By turning the collar, you
can tilt and un-tilt the umbrella. Similar to an auto-tilt, the collar tilt
umbrella has infinite tilting positions. Many people prefer the collar-tilt to
the auto-tilt for its smooth operation and differentiated tilting mechanism.
Pros: The collar tilt is a great table umbrella. When an umbrella sits in a
table, the collar tilt is nicely situated so you just have to stretch out your
hand, and twist the collar to tilt. Also, since the tilting mechanism is
different from the opening mechanism, you can “combine” different stages of
open and tilted for your own pleasure.
Cons: Two different mechanisms are two different manual things you have to do
to open and tilt your umbrella. A collar turning motion may not be a
comfortable or easy for most people as a crank motion. If the umbrella is not
secured to a base, when you’re turning the collar, you might turn the whole
umbrella. CushionsAndUmbrellas.com collar tilts are specifically designed to be
easy to use and engineered not to turn the umbrella when turning the collar.
Summary: A great feature that brings a new twist (pun intended) to umbrella
tilting, the collar tilt is an enjoyable function for those looking for
something just a little bit different, with the same ease of use as an
auto-tilt. A perfect table umbrella for long lazy days of entertaining your
house guests in your patio.
Umbrellas available with Collar Tilts:
9 Foot Aluminum Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella
11 Foot Aluminum
Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella
11 Foot Deluxe
Aluminum Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella - RD-ED
10 Foot Aluminum
Fiberglass Rib Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella
10 Foot Deluxe
Fiberglass Rib Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella - ED
9 Foot Deluxe
Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella - RD-ED
9 Foot Deluxe
Fiberglass Rib Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella - ED-RD
9 Foot Fiberglass
Rib Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella
9 Foot Aluminum
Collar Tilt Patio Umbrella - Polyester
8.5 Foot Aluminum
Garden Patio Umbrella
7.5 Foot Aluminum
Garden Patio Umbrella
SHADE-DIAL
A real revolutionary upper end addition to the auto tilt world, the Shade-Dial
TM is a definite “I want one” feature. Built upon the most popular automatic
tilt function, the shade dial goes one step further, and turns umbrellas 360°
with the sun.
The inventor of the Shade-Dial TM looked at auto tilt umbrellas and said “What
if it could do this?” and came up with a great function that people have been
wishing for, for years. As with any other auto tilt umbrella, you crank the
umbrella open, turn the crank once more, and the umbrella tilts. But the
Shade-Dial TM goes one step further. Just above the crank housing is the
aforementioned Shade-Dial TM, which looks very much like a collar tilt. Turn
the Shade-Dial TM in any direction, and the umbrella canopy turns to point the
tilt in the direction of the sun. Imagine you start your day in your backyard
in the morning, and by noon, the sun is in a different position in the sky.
With the Shade-Dial TM , all you have to do is turn the dial, and the canopy
turns, blocking out the sun making your lounging so much more comfortable.
Pros: The pros of having a Shade-Dial TM tilt umbrella are self evident. An
umbrella that tilts to the position you want, then turns to block out the sun
from whatever position it is in the sky. C’mon! Your really can’t get much
better than that. It’s a great innovation that’s easy to use and provides
plenty of patio enjoyment.
Cons: The one thing that might be a downside is the dual functions. As with the
collar tilt, two mechanisms are twice the work. However,
CushionsAndUmbrellas.com Shade-Dial TM umbrellas are very easy to use, and
provide easy access from a sitting or lounging position.
Summary: Great upper end umbrella tilt function that really provides for your
comfort. If you could have only one umbrella tilting style, this tilt should be
the first item on the list.
Umbrellas Available in Shade-Dial Tilts:
9 Foot Shade Dial Automatic Tilt All Metal Market Umbrella
So the next time you’re searching for a patio umbrella, don’t forget to start
with the right information. It’s great to know design elements, colors, canopy
choices, but never forget what makes any kind of aluminum or metal umbrella
really worth your time and effort. The tilting functions of an umbrella really
do “define” how much you will enjoy your umbrella, and how well it will serve
you’re patio living.