Having an umbrella on your patio or deck can provide much needed shade and enhance your outdoor living space. But should you close that umbrella every night or leave it open? There are pros and cons to both options that are worth considering.
The Benefits of Closing Your Umbrella at Night
There are a few good reasons to close up your patio umbrella when you’re done using it for the day:
- Prevent wind damage – Gusty winds can wreak havoc on your umbrella if left open. The canopy could get flipped inside out or the poles bent or broken. Closing it removes this risk.
- Avoid fabric deterioration – Leaving your umbrella open 24/7 exposes the canopy fabric to the elements. Sun, rain, pollution and humidity can cause it to fade and degrade prematurely.
- Extend umbrella life – The repeated opening and closing of the umbrella puts wear and tear on the mechanics. Keeping it folded up when not in use reduces how often you have to operate it.
- Deter theft – It’s harder for someone to walk off with a closed umbrella. Though not impossible, keeping it folded up discourages opportunistic thieves.
- Look tidy – A folded up umbrella has a neater, cleaner appearance than one left perpetually open.
If you want your patio umbrella to last as long as possible and stay looking its best, closing it each night makes sense.
Reasons Some Leave Umbrellas Open
While the benefits of closing up are compelling, some homeowners opt to leave their umbrellas open overnight for a few reasons:
- Convenience – It’s simply easier to just leave it be rather than fuss with opening and closing it every day.
- Use it early/late in day – If using the umbrella first thing in the morning or after dinner, it’s handy to have it ready to go.
- Have a permanent mount – Umbrellas that are permanently mounted into a patio table or the ground tend to be left open more.
- Deter mildew – Letting air circulate through the canopy all the time can discourage mildew growth.
- Protect investment – Some worry that frequent folding will weaken the frame, so choose to only close for bad weather.
People are often torn between keeping their umbrella in optimal condition and the simplicity of leaving it be. Here are some tips to enjoy the benefits of both approaches.
Tips for Protecting Your Umbrella
- Close for bad weather – Even if you normally keep it open, close up for extremely windy conditions, hail, snow, etc.
- Use a protective cover – Covers safeguard the canopy when not in use and closed.
- Check manufacturer guidelines – Follow any care and maintenance directions specific to your model.
- Inspect often – Make sure to periodically check for signs of wear, damage or mildew.
- Consider a tile mount – These keep the umbrella anchored but allow you to easily open and close it.
- Weigh canopy down – Clips or ties can help keep the fabric taut and prevent wind whipping.
Finding the right balance for your situation will help you maximize your umbrella’s longevity. Be sure to consult the manufacturer’s care instructions as well.
Factors That Impact Closing Frequency
Determining how often to lower your umbrella depends on several factors:
- Umbrella quality – A high quality, durable umbrella with sturdy frames and post can handle more frequent use than a budget version.
- Canopy fabric – Standard polyester holds up better than canopy materials like Sunbrella when left out in the elements.
- Wind exposure – Umbrellas in consistently windy areas benefit more from being closed than protected ones.
- Mounting method – Portable models should be closed more than permanently installed ones.
- Frequency of use – If using your umbrella a lot, closing between uses makes sense to prevent excessive wear.
- Rain/snow – Closing for wet weather is advised to prevent damage and mildew.
- Extended time away – Anytime you’ll be gone several days, close up your umbrella.
Also think about if you’ll use the umbrella enough in the time saved by leaving it open to offset any added wear and tear.
Standard Maintenance When Left Open
If you decide leaving your patio umbrella open overnight works best for your situation, perform this routine care to protect it:
- Check for wind damage after high winds and close for any severe weather.
- Hose canopy off weekly to prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Use umbrella cleaner monthly to prevent staining and fabric degradation.
- Inspect the canopy, hub and frame for signs of wear regularly.
- Re-coat poles with protector annually to prevent corrosion.
- Have professional deep cleaning done every few years.
Carrying out proper maintenance tasks will help offset the added wear of leaving your umbrella open.
Is it Bad to Never Close a Patio Umbrella?
Never closing your patio umbrella does put it at higher risk for:
- Fabric degradation from constant sun and weather exposure
- Mildew and mold growth in the damp, folded canopy
- Wind damage since it’s always exposed
- Fading and thinning of the canopy over time
- Excessive wear from not giving the mechanics a break
That being said, some very durable, high end umbrellas built with premium materials can potentially handle being left out perpetually if they are properly maintained and cared for. Standard big box store versions are more likely to show accelerated wear.
How Often to Close a Patio Umbrella – Recommendations
Unless you have an extremely rugged permanent mount or marine grade umbrella designed for all weather exposure, here are some general recommendations for how often to close your patio umbrella:
| Conditions | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| During wind, rain, snow, ice or other severe weather | Always close umbrella |
| Leaving home for multiple days | Always close umbrella |
| Umbrella is portable/table mount | Close daily |
| Windy location | Close daily |
| Sunbrella or less durable canopy | Close daily |
| Budget umbrella under $100 | Close daily |
| Premium market umbrella $300+ | Can leave open for periods if maintained |
| Permanent mount with durable marine grade canopy | Can potentially leave open if maintained |
Check your umbrella after high winds even if normally left open. And all umbrellas should be closed for any severe weather events and extended travel.
Conclusion
Deciding whether or not to close your patio umbrella every night depends on several factors – the umbrella quality, materials, mounting style, wind exposure, and how often you use it. For most standard umbrellas, closing daily or during inclement weather is recommended to extend the lifespan and prevent wind damage. But very rugged permanent mount or marine grade umbrellas can potentially be left open with proper care and maintenance. Just be sure to check manufacturer guidelines. Finding the right balance for your specific umbrella and conditions can allow you to both keep it properly protected and enjoy the convenience of leaving it open when appropriate.
