How to choose an umbrella

An umbrella is needed at any time of the year. It protects us from rain and hail, snow, direct sunlight and other weather phenomena. But, unfortunately, not all umbrellas withstand heavy loads - the spokes break under strong gusts of wind, fastenings become useless, the dome is wiped, fade and shed.

To choose a convenient and high-quality umbrella that will last more than one season, pay attention to the weight of the product and its compactness, the material and diameter of the dome, the number of spokes, quality of fasteners and other parameters - which ones we will tell in our article.

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1. The design and types of umbrellas
   
2. Which umbrella handle to choose
3. What should be the rod and knitting needles
4. The material from which the dome is made umbrella
5. How to choose a quality umbrella - tips on choosing

The design and types of umbrellas

All umbrellas have a similar design. They consist of:

1. Rods and handles:

2. Fabric part or dome;

3. Knitting needles

The reliability of the rod depends on the reliability of the umbrella. Rods of inexpensive models can bend and break under strong gusts of wind, while strong, most often monolithic, rods withstand even more serious loads.

The spokes support the dome of the umbrella, and when one of them breaks or comes off, it disrupts the shape of the awning and reduces the functionality of the product. The more spokes, the stronger the frame of the dome.

The dome of the umbrella is made of different types of materials: nylon, polyester, satin, etc. The properties of these fabrics depend on the main characteristics of the awning, such as moisture resistance, durability and protection from the wind.

Umbrellas can be mechanical, semi-automatic, automatic, as well as folding umbrellas and walking stick umbrellas. Consider the pros and cons of each.

Mechanical umbrellas

Closing and opening of these models is done only manually. Perhaps this is not very convenient, but this design is considered one of the most reliable and durable.

Virtues

• Durability. The simplicity of the mechanism reduces the likelihood of breakage;

• Affordable price.

disadvantages

• It is not always convenient to close / open the umbrella, especially if the rain caught you off guard or you get to your destination with a lot of transfers.

Semi-automatic umbrellas

The opening of semi-automatic models is done when the button is pressed, but they need to be closed manually by pulling the ring to which the spokes are attached. This is one of the most common types of umbrellas.

Virtues

• Affordable price;

• Small weight and size;

• Ease of use (compared to mechanical models);

disadvantages

• Break faster than mechanical models.

Automatic umbrellas

The most convenient, but also the most unreliable option. Due to the complexity of the design such products break more often. Closing and opening of the umbrella is performed automatically, by pressing a special button.

Virtues

• The speed of opening and closing;

• The convenience of use.

disadvantages

• Short service life;

• High price;

• The automatic mechanism may jam;

Folding (compact) umbrellas

Compact umbrellas are great for traveling.They take up little space and are lightweight, so they can be placed in a bag or backpack. Some models even fit in a coat or jacket pocket. These umbrellas can take with you to work or walk. You will not be difficult to carry the product in your purse all day, and in case of rain you will be protected.

Such products have a cover in which you can hide a wet umbrella, if it does not dry out after the rain, and there is nowhere to dry it.

Virtues

• Small weight and small size;

• Suitable for travelers and people who often travel on business trips;

• Low price;

disadvantages

• Most models have low strength;

• During a strong wind, the dome of the product can be turned inside out.

Umbrella canes

These models are usually opened and closed manually. They have a solid rod, which reduces the likelihood of breakage. Due to the simplicity of their design, cane umbrellas are characterized by high strength and durability.

Virtues

• Reliability and durability - can serve more than 10 years;

• Beautiful appearance;

• Resistance to wind gusts;

disadvantages

• Big sizes;

• High price.

Which umbrella handle to choose

Handles are often made of rubber, plastic, wood or metal:

1. Plastic is considered to be the most unreliable - they can crack or crack when hit or fall. In addition, over time, the paint on the plastic fades and peels off. But they are lightweight and quickly heated by the hands of the owner.

2. Metal handles are rarely used. They are distinguished by high strength and durability, but they weigh and cool a lot a lot.

3. Wooden handles, treated with colorless varnish, keep the hands warm for a long time, they are stronger than plastic and weigh a little. In addition, they do not lose their color over time, unlike plastic ones, and do not “paint” hands. When choosing an umbrella with a wooden handle, it is important to pay attention to its surface. If the tree is treated poorly, the purchase should be abandoned.

4. Rubber handles are pleasant to the touch, they are perfectly fixed in the palm of your hand and do not slip out of your hands. In addition, they are considered one of the most reliable - nothing will happen to them when they fall or hit.

What should be the rod and knitting needles

Rods of an umbrella can be monolithic and folding. Folding can have from two to five additions. The most compact umbrella has about four to five additions of the rod, and the largest (most often male) has two to three additions. Remember, the simpler the design and the fewer the additions, the more reliable the product.

In the production of the needles and the rod can be used:

1. Aluminum (knitting needles and rod matte color) - is resistant to corrosion and well support the fabric of the umbrella. Aluminum products are very light and compact, so they are often chosen by women and children. But they are unreliable - the spokes bend under the action of the wind, the rod is quickly deformed, and the tissue part often turns inside out.

2. Steel (the spokes and the rod brilliant) - the most reliable and durable material. Models with steel rods and knitting needles are resistant to wind gusts, but they are heavy and take up a lot of space even when folded.

3. Fiberglass (looks like plastic) is a durable and flexible material that is often used to make knitting needles. Umbrellas with such knitting needles are lightweight, and the dome retains its shape well during the wind.

4. Also when buying should pay attention to the number of spokes. The more of them, the better they hold the dome. Their number can vary from 6 to 24 pieces, but most often 8 pieces are used. - This is the best option. The larger the diameter of the fabric of the umbrella, the more needles should be.

5. Each of the needles should be attached to the dome in several places. The more such connections, the stronger the design and durable product.

6. Some umbrellas are equipped with the Anti-wind system - a spring complex, which ensures the integrity of the spokes, even with strong gusts of wind and “inversion” of the product. To return the umbrella to its normal state, it must be closed and re-opened.

The material from which the dome is made umbrella

For the manufacture of umbrella trim is often used:

1. Nylon. Cheap and unreliable material. He quickly wears out and wipes. It is easy to tear, it often sheds and even sits down. If you put a wet nylon product next to other things, they may turn the color of an umbrella.

2. Polyester. This material has good water-repellent characteristics, but after long-term use, these properties are noticeably reduced. In addition, it is often wiped and torn at the points of attachment of the spokes. Polyester does not fade and does not sit down after getting wet.

3. Polyester with teflon. This material is more durable and stronger than nylon and ordinary polyester. It dries quickly, keeps its shape well and retains its color.

4. Satin - one of the most expensive and durable materials. It has a special water-repellent coating, thanks to which it protects well from rain. It is characterized by high strength, wear resistance and durability. In addition, satin keeps its shape well and dries quickly.

5. Eponzh - has excellent water-repellent properties, dries instantly and does not wrinkle.

How to choose a quality umbrella - tips on choosing

When buying, pay attention to the fabric tension. It should not be folds, wrinkles or bubbles.

1. Buttons of semi-automatic and automatic models should not collapse, and the mechanism itself should not stick;

2. Open the umbrella before buying. If the joints of the rod are loose, and the handle is not properly attached to the rod, you should not take the goods;

3. The protruding ends of the spokes in children's umbrellas must have protective caps;

4. Make sure that when opening and closing the umbrella does not make any strange sounds;

5. Do not buy products that have less than 8 spokes. They do not withstand wind gusts and quickly become useless.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.