The beauty of a swimming pool can be enjoyed in multiple ways. First, there’s the shimmering water enjoyed from inside the home. Having a view of the pool can bring a peace over you similar to that felt when sitting next to a lake or a pond. One of the best vantage points however is a pool viewed from within. That is sitting in the pool and enjoying the experience of being surrounded by water. The sun shelf was created for just this purpose. Furthermore, the advent of an umbrella for pool sun shelf areas is even more enjoyable.
Why Are Umbrellas Good For A Pool Sun Shelf?
You can be in the pool, but you don’t even have to be wet. You can lay in a chaise lounger and experience the peace of being surrounded by water. There is however one problem. The sun is beating down on you as you lay on the sun shelf. Yes, this is ideal for some of the time, but eventually you want some shade. It’s for this reason many pool designers include umbrella sleeves in their sun shelf designs. So how do you go about choosing an umbrella for pool sun shelf?
Best Umbrella For Pool Sun Shelf: Tempera 9′ Umbrella
- ☂️𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐲: Made of 𝟏𝟎𝟎%…
- ☂️𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦:1.5″ diameter 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤…
- ☂️𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤&𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐭: Easy crank to open and close the patio umbrella, with a push-button tilt to protect you from the sun…
How To Choose An Umbrella For Pool Sun Shelf
The first step to choosing an umbrella for pool sun shelf is to double check you have an umbrella sleeve to begin with. It’s not uncommon for pool builders to forget to install them at gunite or plaster, or the umbrella sleeve to be overlooked. I’ve been guilty of this in my design career. You get to the end of the project and your client asks “where does the umbrella go?”. This is one of the worst moments as a pool designer, knowing you made the mistake. However, all is not lost. There are still ways to get an umbrella on your sun shelf.
If you don’t have an umbrella sleeve, there are a few different methods for installing the appropriate counterweight. Yes, you could have your pool builder come out, drill into the pool shell and install the umbrella sleeve. If you find you really want this, go ahead and have them do it. The only frustration is the patched plaster will be visible. Depending on your pool finish, the patch will blend well or not so well. Alternately, if you use a traditional umbrella counterweight, make sure you are using one of the plastic ones that’ll not scratch the interior finish of your pool. You don’t want to use anything with wheels or metal.
Best Pool Sun Shelf Umbrella Stand
Our favorite way to get umbrella for pool sun shelf when you don’t have a sleeve is the Floating Luxuries Kai Side Table.
- Use in-pool on tanning shelves with 15″ (38.1cm) of water or less
- Holds umbrellas with 1.5″ (3.8cm) diameter poles
- Strong enough to use on pool shelves that do not have built-in sleeves
It’s not the least expensive option, but it has an intentional purpose. On one hand it’s an umbrella counterweight, but then again, it’s a table you can set your drink on, book, or sunglasses.
How To Choose An Umbrella For Pool Sun Shelf
What if you do have an umbrella sleeve? Then, the umbrellas you are looking for should have a plastic or fiberglass pole, and be 1.5” diameter. Beyond that there are a number of options for an umbrella for pool sun shelf. If you want to be able to walk underneath the umbrella without hitting your head when it’s open, you’re going to want a longer pole. There are options for articulating umbrellas and fabric colors. We’d suggest you start with an inexpensive umbrella and see whether it works for you.
Keep in mind, you may leave the umbrella open and forget about it, the wind picks up and blows it into the pool. If you find it a few days later, and in the meantime it has gotten destroyed, you don’t want to be buying a new expensive umbrella every summer. In our opinion it’s best to start with a lower end umbrella with decent functionality and see how it goes.
Obviously, if you’re stuck on a certain aesthetic, a company like Tuuci is the pinnacle of umbrellas. I specify these for my clients from time to time because they are just plain the best umbrellas out there. Tuuci umbrellas can be installed on a speed boat, open and not blow apart. But for the rest of us who don’t want to spend thousands on an umbrella, the Tempera 9’ umbrella is a good place to start.
Best Umbrellas For Pool Sun Shelves
Umbrella For Pool Sun Shelf Summary
By now you are probably sold on the usefulness of a an umbrella for pool sun shelf areas. In our opinion, whether you have to buy a stand or have a designated hole drilled, this is a worthwhile investment. We recommend the Tempera Outdoor Umbrella as the best umbrella for pool sun shelves. It’s very sturdy and affordable compared to luxury options such as a Tuuci.
