We all know what an umbrella is, but how much do we really know about how an umbrella works? In our first blog, we introduced you to the most popular umbrellas on the market; now, let's get into the details. We're explaining each part of an outdoor umbrella from the top down.

- George Carlin

Vent: The vent, or vents, can be found near the top of the umbrella. They are slits sewn into the fabric designed to allow air to pass through the umbrella, which helps keep it on the ground during high winds and provides stability by allowing moderate airflow.

Canopy: The canopy is the fabric that is pulled across the ribs. It’s what provides shade and sun protection to those who relax underneath it. Without the canopy, there would be no shade or sun protection. The higher quality of the canopy fabric, the more sun protection you can expect.

Pockets: The ribs give the canopy structure, but the pockets house the ribs. The pockets are sewn into the canopy and keep the ribs attached to the canopy. Without the pockets, the ribs would hang loosely and would be unable to provide adequate structure to the umbrella canopy. Some manufacturers secure the canopy to the ribs with screws, but high-quality umbrellas will have tightly sewn pockets for maximum canopy support.

Tilt: The tilt mechanism allows the user to angle the umbrella in the desired way. Most umbrellas have to be fully open before the tilt function can be used, but once unlocked, the tilt feature lets users control their umbrella canopy and change the direction the shadow is cast.

Pole: The pole provides structure and height for the canopy and all the mechanisms attached to it. Without the umbrella pole, the umbrella canopy would be a blanket with ribs attached.

Crank: The crank is responsible for opening and closing the umbrella. It’s an upgraded feature that makes using an umbrella much easier.

Lock: The lock keeps the pole attached to the weighted base. The lock is often where the umbrella pole connects to the umbrella base.

Base: The base is what keeps the umbrella upright and in place. A properly weighted umbrella base prevents the umbrella from falling over or flying away.

The first umbrellas came from China and date as far back as 3500 BC.

Now that you know the parts of an umbrella, you’re ready for the next step: shopping for a high-quality umbrella. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest outdoor furniture news, trends, and sales.