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Market umbrellas and cantilever umbrellas share many features but have different capabilities.

Market/Center-Pole Umbrellas: 

The traditional market umbrella, also known as a center-pole umbrella due to its centrally located pole, resembles a larger ground-mounted version of the time-honored handheld umbrella. The pole, historically made of wood and also known as the mast, is located directly beneath the canopy dome. Barlow Tyrie's Napoli Parasol is about as classic of an example of this style as you can get, with a gorgeous eucalyptus wood telescopic pole and an ivory Sunbrella fabric canopy.

While the basic structure of a market umbrella is straightforward, our collections include models with a number of special features. Some customizations include vented awnings for improved airflow, a tilted axis to protect against the sun as it shifts, additional struts for bolstered wind protection, and more. 

Market umbrellas also have a variety of bases and lift mechanisms to meet your desired performance, whether it is an umbrella that can be wheeled around the deck or planted firmly in the ground. Additional accessories like reducer rings may also be required for a secure fit in dining tables.

Cantilever/Offset Umbrellas: 

In this style, the mast is structurally removed to the side of the canopy. This inverted L-shaped support makes the canopy more maneuverable on multiple axes for improved shade coverage and directional shade throughout the day. They typically come at a higher price point and premium features, like Garpa's Roma Swivel Umbrella, which rotates on its own axis and can be adjusted up to 90° to block the sun. Some cantilever umbrellas can be mounted directly to a wall, without the need of a heavy weighted base.

Footprint

Market umbrella canopies come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from 6 to 16 feet wide. Resorts and restaurants favor giant market umbrellas, with canopies 13 feet and larger supported by heavy bases or fixed mounts. On the other hand, most market umbrellas for residential customers are relatively lightweight, weighing less than 100 pounds with a base.

Cantilever umbrellas can be significantly heavier. They range from 8 to 13 feet wide and require a base of 400 pounds or more to support the remote canopy’s offset center of gravity.

Performance

Cantilever umbrellas justify their larger footprint (and price point) by offering enhanced canopy maneuverability. A cantilever umbrella with a 360-degree rotating base provides shade to up to four times as much space as a comparably sized stationary market umbrella. The canopy’s vertical and horizontal tilt functionality allows you to provide directional shade anywhere within that radius as the sun moves overhead throughout the day.

Cantilever umbrellas have an additional advantage in that the shadow they provide is largely free of obstructions. A market umbrella, even if it is secured within the umbrella hole of an outdoor dining table, does require you to arrange your patio furniture relative to the central pole and base of the umbrella.

Selecting the right umbrella style is only the first in a long line of considerations to determine what shade system is best for you. Here are a few of the main ones to keep in mind.

Weather: A good umbrella exists to protect you from the elements, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need protection from mother nature as well. While some basic upkeep applies no matter where you live (close the canopy when it is extremely windy, use an umbrella cover or put your umbrella indoors during a storm), more extreme environments call for more exacting performance. A market umbrella that may suffice for a garden that never sees more than a gentle breeze or spring shower might not meet the standards for a patio on a seaside bluff where strong gusts of wind and salty ocean spray are part of daily life. 

If you live at a high altitude or under relentless sun, high UV protection is a must. South African manufacturer Woodline knows this, which is why their state-of-the-art Picollo Cantilever fade-resistant patio umbrella uses solution-dyed acrylic fabric yarns that are infused with color at the molecular level to be 7/8 colorfast. The treated woven fabrics are water-repellent, as well as mildew- and stain-resistant. 

Windy and humid environments benefit from wind vents, which allow hot air to escape and bolster canopy stability. A heavier base also reinforces the umbrella in windy environments. 

Canopy Size: Before making any outdoor purchases, we recommend drafting a detailed floor plan of your space, complete with furniture dimensions and layout. Knowing what you need shaded and the direction of sun exposure will keep you blanketed in shade and enjoying your outdoor oasis. 

As a general rule, market umbrellas with a canopy diameter under 10 feet are ideal for a smaller dining set or a pair of casual chairs. Larger cantilever umbrellas can have diameters of 13 feet or more, providing ample cover for a modular deep seating set or generously sized dining tables. Gloster's elegant Halo Parasol collection offers a variety of sizes to suit your needs.

Canopy Shape: 

Round & octagonal canopies are ideal for compact circular spaces such as hot tubs, circular sofas, dining tables, fire pits, bar tables, and groupings of poolside chaise lounges. Octagonal umbrellas with a valance, like the Catalina Patio Umbrella, also foster a sense of intimacy and privacy. 

Square canopies are bulkier but provide maximum shade coverage for symmetrical set-ups such as bistro tables, square dining tables, and lounge seating islands anchored around a coffee table.

Rectangular canopies are less common but are ideal for asymmetrical furniture layouts such as long rectangular or oval tables and extended sectional sofas.

Note: This is a representative sampling of Curran patio umbrella models and collections.

For patio umbrella purchases, the base is typically not included. Consult our complete Patio Umbrellas Buying Guide for details on how to select the proper free-standing base or in-ground/surface-mounted system.

Cabana: A staple of sandy beaches, sprawling poolside patios, and rooftop clubs, beach cabanas are spacious accommodations found in exclusive hospitality settings where vacationers travel in search of la dolce vita.  

Traditional outdoor cabanas drape weather-resistant fabric over a sturdy aluminum frame with a fixed roof and adjustable curtains. More modern interpretations, such as the minimalist Woodline Sky, remove excess fabric in favor of a floating canopy that still provides shade for a large group.