How do I find the most suitable parasol for my seating arrangement or lounger?

The simplest way to calculate the size of the area to be shaded is to start with the seating arrangement. Please click on the table below to enlarge the image. Then choose the table, which best corresponds with your own table. The most suitable parasols are indicated in the list.
If the place you wish to shade is not exposed to the sun all day, a smaller parasol may suffice.
By means of our Furnishing Planner you can instantly try out various seating situations.

Are there parasols with automatic-mode?

Yes. The model Calabria Comfort can be opened and closed with a minimum of effort thanks to the cordless screwdriver included in the delivery. It is especially to be recommended for those less than 1,60 m tall, as in this case it is not possible to reach the upper holes to secure the slider in the mast of the larger parasols (for example, those with a diameter of 4m). Also, some of the large parasols generally require more strength to be opened, which makes Calabria Comfort appreciated not only by shorter people. The parasol is available in two sizes: with diameters of 4 m and 5 m, respectively.

Do Garpa parasols protect from UV radiation and sunburn?

Not completely. The Garpa canopies, depending on the model and colour, have differing UV permeability. Just how permeable a fabric is depends on the colour and the way it is woven. Closely woven fabrics allow less radiation to penetrate than more loosely woven ones, and darker fabrics allow less than lighter ones. Synthetic materials offer more protection from UV radiation than cotton. Our fabrics are all closely woven and of polyacrylic.

Example: the fabric of the Umbria canopies keeps out 96.67% of all UV radiation. However, it must be taken into consideration that this test applies to new fabric only. If the material has become stretched or wet, UV permeability may increase. Also it should be born in mind that the parasol fabric is not worn like a T-shirt, close to the skin, and one should be aware of reflection from elsewhere; for example a swimming pool.

Generally speaking: those at risk from exposure to UV radiation should not rely entirely on the protection of a parasol, but take additional precautions.

Ivory or Taupe? Which is the most suitable colour?

Ivory is a more pleasing colour which does not filter sunlight quite as much. If you have a large canopy close to your windows, Ivory might be advisable as it not as shadowing as Taupe.
Taupe is more resilient than Ivory. It tolerates small stains and consequently looks cleaner longer, even when the parasol has not always been folded up under its cover. Those with sensitive skin and eyes are better served with Taupe than with Ivory. The colour Taupe blends softly with its surroundings.

Can Garpa parasols be shortened?

The poles of the models Umbria, Calabria, Calabria Comfort, and Antibes cannot be shortened, as the special protection at the end of the pole to prevent scratching and swelling would be lost.
The models Liguria and Campania can be shortened on site, but please make sure beforehand that you are happy with the parasol, as we cannot take back the shortened version.
The model Tuscany should not be shortened as the lower section has a pointed end-piece. Furthermore, this (our smallest parasol) would, in a shortened version, be very low.
The swivel parasol Lazio cannot be shortened. The swivel parasol Roma could be shortened, but as it is already quite low every parasol has been fitted with an (easily deployable) extension piece to allow for an extra 6cm if needed.

Can one remain sitting under the parasol if it is raining?

No. A parasol is not an awning. Awnings are more heavily treated and therefore stiffer than parasols which need to fold up when closing. The canopies of our parasols have been treated so as to be water-repellent, making it possible to remain seated during a light shower. However, we cannot guarantee rain impermeability.

Should the parasol be free-standing or be set in the middle of the table? Advantages and disadvantages.

What makes a nicer picture than that of a shady parasol set in the middle of the table? The use of space is optimal, and the warmth of the day is retained over the seating group. On the other hand, this position is not very flexible when the angle of shade changes with the movement of the sun. In our latitudes the sun is never at its zenith, and the shade is always to the side of the seating arrangement. This problem can be overcome by setting up a whole row of parasols, but for a private garden this is seldom an option. Please also take into consideration that not every table has a parasol hole.
A freestanding parasol with wheels can easily follow the movement of the sun and ensure that shade is always where it is needed. Additionally, the pole is never an annoying factor between you and the person opposite.

Parasol bases or ground sockets?

Stands (with wheels) are more flexible, as the parasol can be moved to follow the sun. This does not apply to swivel parasols or to the sun-canopy Antibes as the stands are too heavy to move. The greater the area to be shaded, the better it is for the stand to have wheels. An alternative would be to choose a larger parasol. Wheels add an extra 7 cm to the height of the stand.

We do not offer wheels for round stands as these would then become instable. For the same reason, our smallest stands (for the model Tuscany) have no wheels. However, Tuscany can be fitted with wheels by combining it with a Liguria stand. Take care in very windy positions: stands become somewhat instable when fitted with wheels. For example, when furnishing a roof terrace choose the next largest stand, or double up the stand plates.

A parasol stand can always accompany you if you change to another terrace or move house.

A ground socket is the more elegant version, as no stand plate is necessary. In winter the only indication of a parasol’s location is the covering plate. The location, however, needs to be well considered as the positioning of the shade can thereafter not be altered. A ground socket is recommended if more than one parasol is to be set up (for example, to both the east and west of the terrace), if the parasol is flexible (for example, a swivel parasol) or if shade is not required all day long. Ground sockets cannot be mounted on roof terraces or above underground car-parks as they extend 50 cm into the soil. In these instances we recommend to use a flange which has to be mounted by qualified personnel only.

Can Garpa parasol stands be used for parasols not manufactured by Garpa?

Yes. The small parasol stand-sleeve has an inside diameter of 43 cm; however this space is narrowed somewhat by a bracket.

The large parasol stand-sleeve has an inside diameter of 70 cm.

Do not calculate a ‚skin-tight’ solution, as the sleeves have a variable diameter due to the galvanizing process.

We offer no adaptor for parasols not manufactured by Garpa, but your local carpenter will probably be able to provide something suitable.

Swivel parasols should always be used with the stands of the respective manufacturer.

The opposite set-up (a Garpa parasol in a stand not manufactured by Garpa) is tricky. The models Umbria, Calabria, Calabria Comfort, and Antibes have a special protection at the end of the pole to guard against scratching and swelling. This means that the diameter of the pole at its end is 70 cm and not 60 cm. Furthermore, the safeguard mechanism of the parasol is aligned with the stand-sleeve. To avoid making a mistake it is advisable to order the parasol prior to trying out another solution.

In particular, the construction of a ground socket is often underestimated. We strongly advise the use of the Garpa model as it has been carefully thought out and tested.