Finding the right color for your patio umbrella isn’t all about aesthetics. You also have to consider the functionality of the shade you choose.
While a rich navy blue shade may complement your outdoor space perfectly, it could retain more heat in your shade area.
Meanwhile, a traditional white could get dirty too quickly in a dust-prone region. Put simply, environmental factors can affect your patio umbrella’s color decision.
So, it’s best you stick around to learn more about what color patio umbrella is best for sun protection!
Does the Color of a Patio Umbrella Matter?
Aside from choosing your patio umbrella’s size and shape, its color is also a critical choice as it affects more than the overall style.
Similar to clothes, an umbrella with dark fabric would absorb more heat. Nevertheless, they work wonders when it comes to masking stains.
Plus, these dark burgundies and browns appear elegant and can evoke a sense of luxury in your patio.
Lighter colors are more practical in the summer heat. They don’t absorb heat as effectively as darker shades.
For this reason, they’re ideal in sunnier environments. You don’t have to stick to a white canopy shade, though.
Instead, you can choose between various light pastels, vivid yellows, and bright oranges that’ll offer similar heatless results.
What to Consider When Picking a Patio Umbrella Color
Your patio umbrella color choice can depend on multiple factors. Aside from the obvious outdoor color scheme, you also have to consider the following:
1 – Environment
Think of your surroundings. Does the weather in your region tend to be more on the dusty side, or does it get cool and cloudy?
If your part of town is dust-prone, I’d suggest skipping the bright shades and sticking to an earthy or brown tone.
You can also pick between darker varieties like navy blues or emerald green. Note: these colors also work great if your area is mostly cloudy during the seasons.
On the other hand, if your area is heavily exposed to sunlight, I’d go for lighter shades, whether it’s a gorgeous canary yellow or pristine off-white tone.
2 – Reflecting Personal Style
Even though the environmental factor can leave you feeling limited in your choice, there’s still something to be done!
Once you take a deep look at various color palettes, you’ll realize there’s much more in between the shades than you thought you knew.
To illustrate, if you’re more set on a beachy vibe, pastel colors like light yellows, oranges, and lavenders are your best bet.
Alternatively, you might visualize a more traditional scene. In this case, a rich dark blue or jewel red tone can fit nicely in your outdoor design plan.
If you’re feeling doubtful about the perfect color, go with neutrals! Earthy tones, browns, grays, and beige shades usually match most patio floor plans without clashing.
In short, once you pin down what your region is like, don’t immediately pick out a color. Take your time, assess your surroundings, and, most importantly, figure out what you like!
3 – Maintenance
While maintenance tends to rest more on the patio umbrella’s fabric quality, color can also play a role. Lighter options are more prone to getting dirty and stained from anything around.
It could be bird droppings or a little bit of rain and sand, and you’ve got yourself a tough-to-clean umbrella.
On the other hand, a darker variety’s signs of wear and tear won’t be as visible. Subsequently, you wouldn’t have to clean it as much.
This also means that with less cleaning, your fabric can last longer due to less wear. In short, go with a dark color whenever you can.
If your area makes that impossible, then go with lighter shades that aren’t pure white!
What to Consider When Picking a Patio Umbrella for Sun Protection
When picking a patio umbrella, you need to keep the following factors in mind:
Fabric Quality
You don’t have to rely too much on a patio umbrella’s color for sun protection. More often than not, fabric quality tends to play a more significant role.
These days, you can find dark fabrics with high-quality material that offer just as much airflow quality as light fabrics.
Durability
When picking a patio umbrella for sun protection, you’ll also want to consider the material’s durability.
Acrylic and polyester fabrics tend to be more weather-resistant and will last longer, thanks to their UV protection.
The prior, in particular, is best for color retention as well while the latter is better for moving and storing as it’s lightweight.
Sun-Blocking Ability
Another factor that can influence durability in terms of sun protection is the fabric’s UPF rating.
A UPF rating estimates your UV umbrella’s sun-blocking ability. The higher it is, the better protected you are from UVB and UVA rays.
What Color Patio Umbrella Fades the Least?
Your patio umbrellas will have to bear the scorching heat for days on end. Eventually, their once vibrant shade will fade, with some colors fading faster than others.
For instance, if you opt for reds and blues, they’ll more likely fade quicker than yellow and orange shades.
Why? Well, since darker colors absorb the sun’s heat more, their tint naturally fades at a faster rate.
Meanwhile, lighter shades reflect the sun’s rays, providing better color protection in the long run. Still, if you prefer a dark shade but worry about the fading, you can pick black.
Black can hold up better against the sun compared to other dark shades. Plus, it can easily match the surrounding patio color scheme.
Final Thoughts
So, again, what color patio umbrella is best for sun protection? Well, lighter shades are better at deflecting the sun’s heat.
Nonetheless, fabric quality nowadays has made it possible for darker shades to retain better airflow, giving you more options.
The only downside is that these darker shades tend to fade faster from prolonged sunlight, while lighter shades require extra cleaning maintenance.
Overall, each color has its pros and cons. Your choice ultimately depends on your maintenance ability and the region’s environment.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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