Having a wonderful patio and an umbrella installed there can give you a peaceful time to spend on vacation days. But if you live in a windy area, you know how hard it can be to keep your umbrella secure and free from damage.
Instead of packing away and unpacking your umbrella each time you want to use it, take a look at how to secure a patio umbrella using different methods. From do it yourself umbrella weights using items around the home, to ready made solutions you can order online, our 9 easy ways to secure a patio umbrella is sure to help.
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Keep it Closed
If you are not using the patio umbrella, then it’s better to keep it closed. This way, it will help in reducing the risks of damage which can be caused by a falling umbrella. A closed umbrella is less likely to fall over or fly away in the wind.
Tie the cord firmly around the material so it does not open whenever the wind blows. There are some that come with Velcro straps while some come with a separate cover.
Use a Heavy Base
A heavy and solid base offers maximum support to the patio umbrella so it can stay put. The bases that are fabricated with cement or granite are the most ideal choice. While some units include a heavy base, some don’t. If you don’t have a heavy base, you need to buy it separately. You can also make a purchase of extra weights or a sandbag if you are living in a windy area.
You will also need to know the correct weight of base that relies on the size of the umbrella. Here is a table that will give you some idea to know the correct measurement.
| Umbrella diameter in feet | Pole position | Base weight in pounds |
| 6 or smaller | Free-Standing | 50-60 |
| 6 or smaller | Through Table | 25-40 |
| 7 | Free-Standing | 50-60 |
| 7 | Through Table | 30-40 |
| 7.5 | Free-Standing | 50-60 |
| 7.5 | Through Table | 30-40 |
| 8 | Free-Standing | 70-80 |
| 8 | Through Table | 50-60 |
| 9 | Free-Standing | 70-80 |
| 9 | Through Table | 50-60 |
| 10 | Free-Standing | 70-80 |
| 10 | Through Table | 50-60 |
| 11 | Free-Standing | 70-80 |
| 11 | Through Table | 50-60 |
Strengthen the Ribs
Wooden ribs can give an elegant look to the umbrella, but they break apart easily during a strong storm or wind. If you are more into wood, then you can use eucalyptus wood as the skeleton for umbrella. Such material is popular for its durability.
Meanwhile, you can go with aluminum for the frame of the umbrella rather than plastic or steel. Not only it’s trustworthy but also offers prolonged life expectancy.
Moreover, you should also have a solid pole that will hold the umbrella in place firmly. Make sure the umbrella stands and grip the pole tight enough to avoid tipping over. Also make sure that even if pull the pole up, it does not release from the stand. The stand should stay put even if the wind comes to shake and spin the pole.
If you haven’t yet bought your umbrella or need to buy a new one, take a look at our top 10 best patio umbrellas here.
Look for the Air Vents
A patio umbrella requires proper air circulation so that it allows air to escape it through the top easily. An umbrella without vent can take flight like a kite.
Patio umbrella is majorly designed with a single vent for circulating wind as well as heat properly. But if you think your area is severely windy, then you can think of having a dual air vent umbrella. The extra vent with the dual design will help in preventing the umbrella from falling over.
Moreover, the umbrella also comes with an air canopy on top which helps in venting out the wind more easily. Not only it warrants smooth airflow but also helps deter the chance of inversion.
Be Proactive Against Wind
Wind is one of the major reasons why your umbrella is likely to fall over. And if you live in area that has lots of storms and winds going on, then make sure to be proactive. Keep track of storm and wind cycles so you know when to close umbrella once the area gets windy.
Associated Reading: How to Secure Patio Furniture From Wind
Strengthen the Base
You can have a lot of techniques so that you can add weight to the base for strengthening it. Here are some options:
- Supplemental Weight Bags: If the umbrella diameter measures above 9 inches, then it will be better to have a supplemental weight bag. It will add extra weight to the umbrella. As a result, the bag will provide it with more strength. Place the bags on the base and let it add weights up to 100 pounds.
- Cantilever Umbrella Base: Such base can add up to 125 pounds of weight to the umbrella. It can be pretty pricy but you will find it highly functional. Moreover, they are also available in different designs so you can go with one that will best suit the umbrella.
- DIY Sandbags: A DIY sandbags can be cheap, easy to make and easy to install. They can also offer great support to the patio umbrella. Not only that, you can design sandbags on your own so it can suit the umbrella.
- Gravels: Using gravels is a very easy way for adding weight to the base. You will just need to fill the container with colorful gravels and then add the pole to the gravel-filled container.
- Cinder Block Method: This technique can be another creative option to secure patio umbrella. Have a cinder block pained and then slid underneath the base. Then, add the pole to the hole of the block. This way, umbrella can stay put firmly.
- Lead Bags: You can use tube-shaped lead bags since it’s a very effective solution to avoid umbrella from falling over. The lead bags base will be small and heavyweight. The weight coming from the base ranges from 1 to 10 pound so it can secure the umbrella greatly.
Use Umbrella Wind Stabilizer Straps
Umbrella wind stabilizer straps can be used with both standard umbrellas and cantilever umbrellas to help keep them from rocking, twisting and flapping about in the wind. They will help to secure the umbrella and maintain the structure, particularly if you have a timber framed umbrella.
How to Secure an Umbrella Without a Base
For umbrellas without a base, you can try an umbrella cone wedge. These are great for securing umbrellas in patio tables to stop them rattling around.
If you have an umbrella on a deck, these umbrella clamps secure the umbrella to the deck railing.