Shade Q&A

Thoughts on patio and poolside living. A blog by Claire - The Patio Umbrella

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Which Cantilever Parasol is Suitable for Annual Corporate Events?

Posting date: 3rd April 2010 11:37

I have many customers that are interested in Cantilever or Side post parasols for events. This is because they allow such flexible use of the shaded area below the canopy. The parasols need also to have mobile bases so that they can be stowed away easily and brought back out, either on an annual basis or at different events on the road during the season.

You need to consider the following issues:

Non - moveable dates and the weather

RAIN: obviously the show "must go on" in most cases, whatever the weather. so you need a good quality canopy that is very rain resistant - completely waterproof really ups the price

WIND: the day may be beautiful but very windy: parasols MUST be wind managed and cantilever parasols are more sensitive to wind that centre post parasols - choose a parasol that is well engineered and well balanced with sufficient weight to withstand at least medium wind; I would advise buying extra slabs or filled planters to put on the bases in case of higher wind. The last thing you want is parasol damage because the parasol has blown over - and the worst fear is damage to a person or their property

Robustness

CROWDS: the parasol needs to be sufficient robust to withstand the event and the people likely to attend the event. So for large rowdy crowds, please think about getting a really hardy parasol with reinforced parts. Rowdy crowds are not going to look after your equipment
MOBILITY: again, if you are planning frequent moving of the parasols in and out of vans, you need to consider how much "bashing" around the parasols are likely to get. You will want them to keep looking reasonably presentable. Again, for "on the road" tours, I would recommend a really hardy parasol
EASE OF PUTTING TOGETHER: if you are moving around alot, the neater the putting away and reconstruction the better

We have 2 cantilever parasol ranges that I would recommend. The Serengeti Equinox is really the ideal as it is aimed at the commercial market and is reinforced in its frame and has extra heavy weights on the base. The Serengeti Eclipse is aimed at the residential market and assumes that the parasol will not be so heavily used. There is the inevitable difference in price, which will obviously be another consideration in your choice. However, if you choose an Eclipse parasol on price issues, please bear in mind that it is going to need more looking after.

Here are the urls to copy and paste into your browser:

http://www.patio-umbrella.co.uk/productfamily.php/family__3276__Serengeti+Equinox+Cantilever+Parasol

http://www.patio-umbrella.co.uk/productfamily.php/family__3269__Serengeti+Eclipse+Cantilever+Parasol+-+Ecru