Market umbrellas are an excellent way to add shade to your backyard or patio without the need for a permanent structure such as a gazebo or pergola. Market umbrellas are large canvas umbrellas that have wooden or metal frames and are placed in heavy steel bases. Market umbrellas come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The smallest are around 3’ in diameter and the largest are about 8’ diameter. You can find market umbrellas in standard round shapes or more interesting square shapes. The major difference between a market umbrella and your standard back yard umbrella is the mechanism that raises and lowers the umbrella. Market umbrellas usually employ a manual system that consists of a rope and pulleys whereas the patio umbrella uses a hand cranked mechanism.

A good quality market umbrella will cost between $150 and $300 depending on the size and quality of the construction. You should consider your new market umbrella a medium term purchase with a 8 – 10 year lifespan. As such, you should focus on quality construction simple operation, and a high quality canvas covering. Never leave your market umbrella in wet or damp weather unless it is rated as such because wet or moist conditions will greatly reduce the lifespan of the canvas covering.

There are a number of excellent online retailers of market umbrellas. Shop around and find the best deal possible. And remember, with market umbrellas, quality matters.