When you think of the UK, sweltering summers are unlikely to be your first thought, however, July 2019 saw good old Blighty hit with the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK – a scorching 38.1°C!!! If you were one of the many Brits who didn’t waste a second in hitting the garden to top up their tan and fire up the BBQ, then it’s likely you experienced first hand the somewhat surprising intensity of our UK summer sun! Having access to shade, particularly if you have young children or pets, allows you to take a break from the heat. No one wants to be having to go back indoors to cool off, nor do we want to be restricted to just one spot if we’re using overhanging trees or tall buildings for natural shade. The solution? A cantilever parasol.
Cantilever parasols are the most recent addition to the parasol family and are becoming increasingly popular due to their stylish appearance, flexibility and ease of use. The structure is unique in that the parasol is mounted to the side rather than centrally. It’s a modern, elegant design concept that is incredibly user-friendly – a cantilever parasol can be adjusted easily with a sliding handle and crank and tilted and swivelled with minimal effort.
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Cantilever parasols are ideal for garden fanatics who are up with the sun and who are still going strong right up until sundown and beyond. You’ll have ample shade during the hottest parts of the day and, as is often the case with our beloved UK, should a summer shower decide to make an appearance, you’ll be nice and dry sheltering under the canopy.
The best cantilever parasols will be made from good quality materials; be sturdy; and easy to operate. The frames can support canopies spanning up to 4m+ in diameter, offering ample shade coverage and shelter for a whole table, several sun loungers or even a paddling pool!
Cantilever parasol Vs standard parasol
A standard parasol can be used on its own or fixed to a table – often garden tables have a ready-made hole in the centre with which to support a standard parasol. This is great during the hottest parts of the day when the sun appears at its highest, but when the sun appears lower in the sky, the shade coverage standard parasols offer can be hit and miss, as they only offer overhead coverage. This is where a cantilever parasol comes into its own.
Like a normal parasol, a cantilever parasol provides shade from the sun and rain, but with the difference that a cantilever parasol has the pole and base set off to the side, rather than positioned centrally under the canopy. This results in a cantilever parasol being more versatile than the other types of standard parasol as you’re free to have the canopy arching over your table or lounger, without the base and pole getting in the way!
Understanding the design of a cantilever parasol
A cantilever parasol is made up of three key parts: the canopy, base and frame.
Canopy: Usually made from durable and quick-drying polyester, the canopy on a cantilever parasol is supported by a number of steel spokes. The best cantilever parasols will be showerproof and quick-drying, as well as offering UV50+ protection, which is certainly worth considering if you have young children, are fair-skinned or simply spend a lot of time outside.
In terms of choosing a size, canopies range from around 2m to 4m+ so there is quite a range available. Choose a canopy which is in proportion with the rest of your garden and one which offers the right amount of shade coverage you envisage you and your family will need.
Base: The best cantilever parasols will be inclusive of a base unit, but if the model you’ve taken a shine to requires you to buy one separately, you’ll need to make sure you go for one which is wide enough and heavy enough to keep the parasol from tipping over, even in windy conditions.
(See the section below ‘Stability: base weights explained’ for more information on the relationship between base weight and canopy diameter).
Frame: The majority of cantilever parasols will be constructed from coated aluminium and/or powder-coated steel. Aluminium is a popular choice due to it being lightweight, durable and rust-resistant and is often used for some, if not all of the structural components of a cantilever parasol i.e. the frame, pole, spokes and wind-up mechanism.
Best Budget Cantilever Parasol
- Value for money
- Easy to use
- Durable and good product
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Desirable features
The design of the cantilever parasol is favoured by many over the more traditional, umbrella-type parasols as they’re viewed as being a more modern take on the traditional ‘umbrella-style’ garden parasol, with their stylish appearance, cool colours and state-of-the-art optional high-tech extras such as LED lighting and wireless connectivity.
- A weighted base – this makes assembling your cantilever parasol easier as you don’t need to weigh the base down manually with sand or weights
- Colour coordinated with your existing garden furniture
- Weatherproof – resistant to rain and fading; offers UV protection
- User-friendly, easy to operate, simple crank mechanism
- Height adjustable frame, usually powder-coated aluminium
- The LED lighting to create ambience and is handy for when you’re outdoors at night
- Straightforward assembly
- Lightweight, rust-resistant frame
- The large canopy which offers generous coverage
- Durable parasol cover included
- Option to tilt and swivel
- Solar LED lighting
- Parasol rotation foot pedal
- Bluetooth connection wireless speaker
Stability: base weights explained
The following table offers a guide to recommended parasol base weights but be sure to check the user manual to see the manufacturer’s specific guidelines for your particular model, and to check which type/brand of base your cantilever parasol is compatible with.
| Parasol Diameter | Base Weight |
| Up to 2m | 12-15kg |
| 2m – 2.5m | 15-25kg |
| 2.5m – 4m | 25-50kg |
| 4m+ | 50kg+ |
If your outdoor area is particularly exposed, and/or you suspect the current base unit isn’t heavy enough to keep your cantilever parasol secure, you’ll need to think about buying additional weights for your base to prevent the canopy from being blown over.
Looking after your cantilever parasol
It’s best not to leave your cantilever parasol exposed to the elements, day or night. Most decent cantilever parasols will come with a waterproof, UV resistant cover, usually made from hard-wearing polyester, and ideally, this should be used at all times when your cantilever parasol isn’t in use. The cover will protect against fading, and canopy damage caused by the cold, wind and rain.
Parasol covers which have air vents are useful as the air vents will keep the air circulating, minimising condensation and keeping your parasol dry and aired.
During the colder months, when the parasol isn’t in use, store your cantilever parasol undercover or ideally in a dry place such as an outbuilding, shed or garage to minimise the risk of rust and corrosion. Be sure that your cantilever parasol is 100% dry before storing it away. If you don’t have a safe place to store your parasol during winter, be sure to keep it protected using a good-quality parasol cover.
If the cantilever parasol you’ve decided on doesn’t come with a cover, it’s definitely worth investing in a decent one, otherwise, you’ll get very little use out of your parasol before it starts to look tired and weatherbeaten.
Cost
You can pick up a cantilever parasol, complete with base, from a high street retailer for between around £70 to £270. The higher your budget, the more accessories/additional features you’re likely to get thrown in and the bigger you’d expect the canopy to be.
For more specialist, hi-tech cantilever parasols you can pay some serious cash – a unit complete with LED lighting and wireless speaker will set you back in the region of around £800, and for the ultimate luxury – a cantilever parasol made from laminate bamboo and stainless steel, you can pay anything up to around the £2000 mark!
Best of the Rest
- LARGE 3M UMBRELLA: With a width of 3m, your new parasol will provide a large area of shelter for you and your garden guests. After a long morning of barbecuing grab a cold drink and chill under the spacious shady shelter.
- EASILY ADJUSTABLE: Your new parasol comes with a simple to use crank winding system, making it a dream to open and close depending on the placement of the sun. No need for any strenuous disassembling after a long day out in the sun, simply wind down your parasol and call it a day.
- CANTILEVER STRUCTURE: Your Charles Bentley parasol is defined by it's unique and functional cantilever design. Purposed to stay out of the way of your garden furniture whilst still providing the same level of shelter.
- DURABLE STEEL FRAME: Your new parasol is designed with long lasting reliability in mind. Crafted from powder coated steel, it boasts rust resistant properties while also acting as a strong frame against any gusts of wind you may encounter.
- MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE: Since 1860, Charles Bentley have redefined the meaning of quality craftsmanship. Your parasol is a product of 6 generations of manufacturing excellence. DIMENSIONS: 320x300x242cm
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- STYLISH DESIGN: The overhanging parasol is with beautiful and vibrant tone that suits all style gardens, patios etc.
- LARGE ROUND CANOPY: The garden umbrella parasol covers a large surface area. The canopy is UV and fade resistant.
- 360 DEGREES ROTATING: The large garden parasol can provide 360 degree shade, which is controlled by foot pedals.
- SIX-POSITION TILT: The canopy angle of the cantilever parasol is adjustable to fully suit your preferences and relax all-day long with protection.
- CRANK MECHANISM OPENING: Allows you to open and close the garden parasol with base included quickly and easily. DIMENSIONS: Φ294 x 248Hcm. CROSS BASE INCLUDED. WEIGHTS NOT INCLUDED.
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- COMPLETE GARDEN PARASOL SET FROM JARDER Includes 3m Parasol, Fillable Heavyweight Plastic 4-Piece Base and Jarder Cover, All Designed to Fit Perfectly Together
- EXTRA LARGE 3 Metre Diameter Parasol Provides Shade When and Where You Need It Most
- HEAVY DUTY CONSTRUCTION – Built to Last, the 3m Canopy Is Made From 180g/m² Thick Polyester
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE – Comes with Full Instructions for Simple Construction by One or Two People
- MODERN DESIGN The Adjustable Cantilever Tilt Means You Can Position the Parasol Anywhere Around the Garden
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the canopy on a cantilever parasol made from?
The canopy of a cantilever parasol will be made from either polyester or acrylic. Polyester is the most common material as it is relatively inexpensive, showerproof, durable and UV resistant. A cantilever parasol with an acrylic canopy is likely to be more expensive, but when you take into account the fact acrylic is stain-resistant, water-repellent, oil-repellent, mould-resistant and doesn’t fade as quickly as polyester than it’s worth considering spending those few extra pounds.
How do I adjust my cantilever parasol?
The best cantilever parasols can be adjusted using the crank and winding mechanisms. Any decent model will have a sturdy, robust crank and an easy to use, a wind-out mechanism with variable locking positions, allowing you to choose just the right amount of shade you need. A pull pin will enable you to tilt the canopy, and free-arm rotation means the canopy can be lowered or raised without having to move the base. There are various ways of adjusting the shade coverage – most cantilever parasols can be lowered, raised, swivelled and tilted.
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