Market or Cantilever Umbrellas: Which Style Fits Your Space?

The right outdoor umbrella can truly revolutionise your space. However, since there are so many options available, it’s just as important to invest in the right style as it is the first option that catches your eye. These days, standard market and cantilever umbrellas are easily two of the best options on the Australian market.

Each style offers unique advantages, and understanding these differences will help you make a choice that suits both your practical day-to-day needs and overall decor. With that in mind, let’s explore their unique features and provide some tips to help you decide between the two.

Market Umbrellas: Classic and Versatile

Market umbrellas are the traditional, centre-pole umbrellas you’re probably very familiar with. From cafés in the Melbourne CBD to beachside restaurants on the Gold Coast, these umbrellas continue to be a popular choice for businesses across the country.

They feature a central pole that supports the canopy, and are often used in cafés, restaurants, backyard patios, market stalls, event spaces, sports clubs, and outdoor bars. These umbrellas have a straightforward design, yet can often be customised in line with your chosen colours, logos, slogans or branding.

Key features of Market Umbrellas include:

• Central Pole Design: The main support runs through the centre of the umbrella, providing stability and a familiar look.
• Variety of Sizes: Market umbrellas come in diameters ranging from 1.8 metres to over 4 metres, which makes them suitable for small tables or larger outdoor dining areas.
• Ease of Use: Many market umbrellas feature crank handles or push-up mechanisms that allow quick opening and closing.
• Cost-Effective: Generally, they are more budget-friendly than cantilever umbrellas, making them appealing for businesses or homeowners with multiple umbrellas.

Practical Advantages

Market umbrellas are easy to position and relocate. If you run a café or pub, the ability to move tables and umbrellas to accommodate crowds or events is a major benefit. Their traditional design is instantly recognisable and suits a wide variety of styles from rustic outdoor beer gardens to modern poolside lounges.

They are also low maintenance. Because the canopy attaches directly to the pole, there are fewer mechanical parts to worry about. In Australia’s climate, especially in coastal areas like the Gold Coast or Sydney, this simplicity means less chance of wind damage or complex repairs.

Design Flexibility:

Market umbrellas allow for creativity, both in terms of their base and canopy choices. Wooden poles add a warm, classic feel, while aluminium poles offer a sleeker, contemporary look. Canopies are also available in a wide range of fabrics and colours, allowing businesses and homeowners to complement their existing décor.

One thing to consider is the central pole’s placement. In some environments, namely cafés, backyards, and outdoor dining areas, the pole can sometimes obstruct seating arrangements. However, this is often a minor trade-off given the affordability and ease of installation.

Cantilever Umbrellas: Modern Shade with Maximum Flexibility

Cantilever umbrellas, sometimes called offset umbrellas, are a more modern option for outdoor shade. In stark contrast to your traditional central pole design, the support is positioned to the side, which allows the canopy to hang over the shaded area without any obstruction underneath. This makes them particularly popular for pool decks, patios, outdoor lounges, and commercial spaces where flexibility is key.

Key Features of Cantilever Umbrellas:

• Offset Design: The pole is at the side, giving an open, unobstructed space below the canopy.
• Large Coverage: Canopies often range from 3 to 5 metres, making them ideal for shading multiple tables or a whole lounge area.
• Adjustable Angles: Many cantilever umbrellas tilt and rotate, allowing you to follow the sun throughout the day.
• Strong Bases: They usually require a weighted base or ground installation, giving stability even in windy conditions.

Practical Advantages:

The biggest advantage of cantilever umbrellas is the clear, unobstructed space you receive underneath. This is why they’re so commonly used in cafés or restaurants, where flexible table layouts are possible without poles interfering with guests. In the context of homes, it provides a clean, versatile outdoor space where loungers, dining sets, or even play areas can sit comfortably beneath the shade.

Cantilever umbrellas are also highly adjustable. The AG28 Cantilever Umbrella is a great example. This model has a 360 degrees and tilt at different angles, so you can maximise shade no matter where the sun is. This is particularly useful during summer, when the sun’s intensity changes throughout the day.

Design Appeal:

Cantilever umbrellas have a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. Aluminium or powder-coated steel frames with polyester or acrylic canopies create an appealing look that works in stylish outdoor spaces. They’re often the first choice for restaurants, resorts, boutique hotels, and premium cafés that want to make a statement in their outdoor areas.

Considerations:

Cantilever umbrellas generally require a larger investment than market umbrellas. Their bases can be heavy and may need to be anchored to the ground, particularly in commercial settings. Maintenance can also be slightly more involved due to tilting and rotating mechanisms. However, for spaces where flexibility and unobstructed shade are priorities, cantilever umbrellas are hard to beat.

Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Umbrella

Choosing an umbrella is more than picking a style. There are other details to consider that will affect how well your shade solution works.

Material Matters

For the frame, aluminium is lightweight, durable, and rust-resistant, making it suitable for Australia’s coastal environments. Timber poles add charm but require regular maintenance to withstand sun and rain. For the canopy, polyester is affordable and fade-resistant, while acrylic fabrics offer excellent UV protection and durability.

Sun Protection

Look for umbrellas with a high UPF rating. In Australia, sun protection is crucial, especially for outdoor dining areas or family-friendly spaces. Canopy designs that allow air circulation can also help keep shaded areas cooler during hot summer days.

Size and Scale

Measure your space carefully. Too small, and the umbrella won’t provide enough coverage; too large, and it could overwhelm the area. For cantilever umbrellas, ensure there’s enough room for the base and support arm without obstructing pathways or seating.

Ease of Use

Consider opening and closing mechanisms. Crank handles and push-up systems on market umbrellas are simple to operate, while cantilever umbrellas may have more complex tilting and rotating functions. Choose a system that is practical for your setting, particularly if staff or family members will be adjusting the umbrellas regularly.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance keeps umbrellas looking good and functioning well. Cleaning the canopy, checking the frame, and securing bases during strong winds will prolong the life of both market and cantilever umbrellas.

Matching Umbrellas to Your Space

Cafés and Restaurants

For busy cafés and restaurants, consider how tables will be arranged and how flexible your seating needs to be. Market umbrellas are perfect for traditional café settings, but cantilever umbrellas allow for open-plan layouts where tables can be moved for larger groups or events.

Hotels and Resorts

Cantilever umbrellas often make the most sense here, and that’s why they’re such a popular option. Poolside areas, sun lounges, and outdoor bars benefit from unobstructed shade and adjustable angles that keep guests comfortable throughout the day.

Home Backyards

Backyards offer more freedom. Market umbrellas suit casual entertaining areas, while cantilever umbrellas are ideal for covering dining tables, patios, or pool areas without poles in the way.

Events and Sporting Clubs

For sporting clubs, festivals, and private events, flexibility and ease of installation are key. Market umbrellas are easy to set up in multiple areas, while a few well-placed cantilever umbrellas can provide premium shade for VIP areas or hospitality zones.

Exploring Some of Our Most Popular Options

The Sirocco Bambrella

Sirocco is a laminated Bamboo frame umbrella, available in three sizes and comes with an Ecru Polyester canopy. This umbrella offers great value for money and is a popular option for those who prefer the look of timber over aluminium.

The Bambrella Levante

Levante is a premium quality laminated bamboo umbrella with a beautiful bamboo frame and stainless-steel fittings. The Levante is available in seven sizes and three standard colours. Custom acrylic canopies are also available in a diverse range of colours and stripes.

AG28 Cantilever Umbrella

With360-degree rotation, the AG28 Cantilever umbrella provides a highly adaptable level of shade that moves with the sun throughout the course of the day. They’re ideal for poolside lounges or spacious dining areas, it provides both flexibility and style.

Commercial Aluminium Range

With its famous Spuncrylic canopy, 3-year warranty, and up to 12 popular colours, the Commercial Aluminium range is a fantastic option for so many different settings. There’s the ability to choose between anything from stripes and monochrome designs to straight or balanced edging, and even custom branding! Make sure to contact us for further info!

Chat with an Expert

Deciding between a market or cantilever umbrella can seem a little overwhelming, especially if this is your first foray into outdoor shade solutions. The good news is that you can always reach out to us and chat with the industry experts. At Indoor Outdoor Imports, we’ve been providing high-quality custom umbrellas, awnings, and barriers for more than 30 years.

We’re a leading supplier of outdoor market umbrellas in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and have worked hand-in-hand with some of Australia’s biggest companies and most trusted brand names. So, if you need any advice on materials, design, installation, or customisation, we’ll be there to guide you through every step!

Get in touch today to chat with our friendly team!