Nope, we have perfectly placed trees. (Though, we would if we didn't.)

I had a very handsome one before I foolishly left it open before a predicted storm - while warning a friend to take hers down completely because of where she lives. As others above mention, the wind took it for a ride, leaving it with a broken spoke from its hard landing. I can't get it fixed because welders around where I live are totally unresponsive to phone calls, and conveniently out when I stop by! But it still works for the most part and so I keep it, reminded of my own hubris, and feeling somewhat mollified environmentally by my choice not to trash and buy.

I have two. One covers my favorite chairs and tables so I can have a shady rest spot. The other is a very lightweight one that I move all over the yard while I am weeding so I can stay out of the sun. That one is a lifesaver!

I have been known to use one while weeding, too! Sun is that hard on me...

Very long covered porch across back of house. Otherwise there would be an umbrella.

Umbrellas look lovely but I have given up on them--- fading, weather damage, bird droppings. I sit under a covered patio now.

I have a big one over our loveseat/conversation area, one over our large square dining table, one over the hammock, one over a 3 person tall bar table by the pool and a built in thatched palapa over the lounge chairs by the pool. California head requires lots of umbrellas!

We have a permanent 4 meter/12 foot cantilever umbrella over the outdoor table. The shaft is embedded in a large concrete block underground. The canopy winds up and down and you can pivot it to move the shade where you want. For a big storm we just wind down the canopy and loosen the cog so the canopy can swing with the wind, like a furled sail. Best investment ever! It makes an outdoor 'room' when you need cover then lets the sun shine in when you don't!

I live in Arizona where the sun is fierce! My patio has no roof or other covering, so to use the table for mid-day dining an umbrella is a must.

I love my red and white chevron umbrella. I have a small porch and shade only comes in the afternoon. Despite the fact that I live by a river and the Great Smoky Mountains Natural Park, it gets hot here. Now I can sit outside and drink my sweet tea and watch the river without being broiled alive.

Not any more. We replaced the umbrella with a dome-top, curtained gazebo. It provides sun, rain and mosquito protection, and turns the deck into an outdoor room. We take the fabric off for winter. Third season now.

No, but I wish I did. I was looking at them online this morning.

My patio deck area has lots of well placed trees & provides shade. However, I don't like debris falling onto my dining table, so I bought an umbrella. I also purchased a smaller one that I place in another area that isn't as shady. Fortunately we haven't had any problem with the wind because when it is very windy we are not outside under the table. And when it does get windy we close the umbrellas. Our umbrella comes out today as we are having company this Memorial Day weekend.

Yes but not as large as 'Market' type, one is part of the table, a second, smaller one is positioned behind the BBQ to shelter the person grilling.

Except when it blows over or away or in the pool..... Last month found it behind the house in the alley! But, an umbrella is a "must have" in the miserable Texas weather.

The backyard is wonderfully shady. No need.

We have two, both on our outdoor kitchen island. They have LEDs running down ribs, which provide soft overhead lighting. I have to replace both. Got'em on clearance & they aren't Sunbrella. New ones will be, & this time I won't cheap out.

We have a covered "outdoor room," but we also have an umbrella. Like others, we have unpredictable wind, so we only use it when we have lots of people and need that table, then we keep an eye out for any sign of wind so we can quickly fold it up!

....the 5th one is in the storage shed...we only use it on HOT days when its not windy...otherwise the wind ALWAYS takes them away and damages them...same thing happened with a sun canopy! I forget to put them away because they are to heavy for me. oh well. glad we have a storage shed :) HA!

We have two very large (14 ft diameter) patio umbrellas with inground stands. On very hot days, our previous cat loved to hang out in the frame.

We have one, but we get so much sun on the patio, then it doesn't seem to help much. We are planning to get some retractable shades for the pergola..we'll see how that works

I have a beautiful screened in backyard porch. No umbrella needed. My last house I had one but it was left with the patio set in the negotiations.

Not yet but I'm in the market for one and have just started my shopping explorations. Budget-friendly recommendations are welcome :-)

Question: are the pole sizes universal or do I need to measure the opening?

Yes! When sitting on the patio or the deck I like to be in the shade!

This is our first summer in the house so I'm not sure yet where I'll situate the umbrella. We have a screen porch so it won't be used as much as when we rented apartments that only had a deck to sit on. But I think there will be times this summer when I'll use it to shade the bistro set out on the patio.

We have an automated awning. It is great.

We also have an awning and love it!

I have five. My deck is about 1000 sq feet, so I have a lot of area to cover. I have two umbrellas with seating areas around the pool, one umbrella over the bar, and one umbrella each over two dining tables.

We have a 1/2 umbrella whose back side is flat so the pole can snug up against a wall or railing. It allows us flexibility in arranging furniture on our smallish condo deck.

We have an umbrella which is held in place with pavers. When there is a little wind, we are always afraid that it would topple over.

The two yellow patio umbrellas I bought this year make me smile every time I look out my patio door - I live in Minnesota and need/love the colors of summer!

I live in Joburg South Africa and our backyard is uninhabitable in summer without an umbrella.

Buy a good umbrella...not the cheap ones. I purchased an awesome one in 2000. Paid 200$ at the time. I need to patch a couple of mice-holes in the canvas but I am not getting rid of the umbrella. It is very sturdy, heavy. Love it!

We really wish we had a backyard umbrella after being pounded by thunderstorms in Houston for the past month!

I have a broken one. It flew into the neighbors yard the last time the wind blew.

I have four and move them around when needed. The two 11ft wood umbrellas are on bases that have wheels which making moving them as the sun moves much easier.

This umbrella tilts to block out the evening sun , and makes our backyard very enjoyable on a hot summer evening .

Used to. Put up gazebo 7 years ago. Kind of easy maintenance as we order new top on line.
This is the third. Can get very warm in summer. I lined the inside of the ceiling in fabric.
It's amazing how cool it keeps it.

Love it!

You post a lot of polls

Ava, I believe Emily is part of HOUZ staff, so yes, she does post a lot of polls. They help keep us talking. I like her polls.

We did before we built a large roofed patio. Now there is no use.

If you have Infinity Canopy you won't need umbrellas. It covers a much longer space than an umbrella and can be retracted or even removed for storage. Unlike regular canopies that are one piece Infinity Canopy modular so it can adapt to any space, configured in any width and length, and in one or multiple colors.

I did have one but a strong gust toppled it and the table in my exposed garden, so it is now with my in laws who have a sheltered garden

We have three umbrellas and live in an extremely windy area. We have to be careful and take them in windy days. I do recommend planting trees for future shade, though.

Two nine foot umbrellas for the early spring and lots of gorgeous mature oak trees. We are very fortunate.

I have one.

I had an umbrella and the fabric dry rotted so i converted the pole into a Christmas tree

boom! this thread

I have 2 umbrellas in my tiny patio since I downsized to this house. It is the cheapest solution for shades in summer and sun in cooler months in

Southern California weather.