A cantilever umbrella provides a clear space underneath the canopy without the need for a centre pole. Suspended in the air and supported by a freestanding pole on the side, they are ideal for a patio or restaurant setting as no masts are blocking the conversation. It should be durable and easy to operate. But then, it also has to be functional and make the best use of the available space.
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Cantilever umbrellas have both
A shade solution that can fit most scenarios is cantilever umbrellas. Unlike classic models, where the base and the pole are placed right below the centre of the canopy, cantilevered umbrellas are placed outside the canopy area. It’s a type of structure that effectively gets the pole out of the way and can save a lot of headaches when trying to take full advantage of available space.
There are, however, two ways to position cantilever umbrellas that need to be considered: corner-mount, where it’s placed at one of the corners and side-mount, where the base is placed on one side of the area. Visually, the difference between the two is quite straightforward - upon closer inspection, however, some nuances give corner-mount cantilever umbrellas a few advantages over the side-mount version. In this blog, we’ll explain what they are and how they can make a difference.
Superior rotation for total shade
When the umbrella is placed between two areas, for example, a spa area with loungers beside it, or a children’s sandpit with an adjacent paddling pool, you can use the same umbrella to create shade for one or the other with a simple 90° rotation. This allows you to bring the shade with you as you move from spot to spot. With a side-mount umbrella, in the best of cases, you would need to rotate it by 180° to obtain the same effect.
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Discreet and unobtrusive design
Corner-mounted cantilever umbrellas are likely to be more discreet. Even when you can’t switch shade between two areas, or you don’t need to, quite often corners are not part of the usable space. This is compared to when the base is on the side, which may still occupy useful space and block the view.
Suitable with outdoor furniture
The out-of-the-way advantage of a corner-mount umbrella is more evident when the area to shade has tables and chairs. With a side-mount umbrella, you always risk backing a chair or another object into the pole situated behind you, making it a hard place to navigate.
Cantilever umbrellas are the best option for hospitality managers, designers and homeowners who need to choose the best shading solution without spending a lot of time navigating through all the pros and cons of possible options. Removing the pole from under the canopy – in and on itself - will help optimise space. Placing the base at the corner of the area, rather than on the side, will have even more benefits.
Hospitality shade
In the hospitality business, an outdoor space that generates high revenue is about striking a fine balance - they're meeting customer's demand for comfort on one end and maximising their establishment's space on the other.
Hospitality managers, designers and homeowners alike recognise that every outdoor space will have its challenges, but one question common to all is:![]()
What shade solution best suits the area that I have?
TRY THE UMBRELLA SELECTOR