Coolaroo Round Market Patio Umbrella,90% UV, 11', Smoke

Considering the large 11' span this umbrella covers a large area of the patio. It is a little bit transparent and doesn't block out the Sun fully as you can see through the umbrella, but it is not too noticably unless you look at it. The sticker says it blocks out 90% of the UV rays and it does make it cooler. I use a very heavy 110 lb umbrella stand instead of in the patio table so I can move it. The crank handle brings the umbrella up and down with ease and the ability to tilt the umbrella at an angle is a great feature.

This is a perfect patio umbrella. Easy to open and close, keeps the sun off and still allows air to come through.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I use this almost everyday! It gives us enough shade and keeps us cool in the heat. If you are looking for a great product at a great price this is it!

Good product

I ordered the Better Homes & Gardens Mika Ridge 5-Piece patio set from Wal-Mart back in Septemer 2007, which did not come with an umbrella. I just ordered this umbrella last week, took out the 0-ring in the table, and slid the umbrella stand into the table and then shimmed it to fit ... perfect! Umbrella rolls up or down (and tilts) with ease ... I love it!

The newest coolaro patio umbrella seems to be as good as our previous model, however, the umbrella bottom pole screws into the top pole and we have noticed that with a gentle wind the top half can start to unscrew. Our previous model had the pulley cord running inside the pole and a screw by the manufacturer cut the cord in 1:2.

After reading reviews on several patio umbrellas I chose this one and have not been disappointed. The ease of setting it up took less than five minutes. I read all reviews, good and bad, to base most of my decisions on products to buy is why I feel lead to write a review for this purchase. The construction of the actual umbrella is very sturdy and when using the handle to lower it to the closed position it is very easy to crank down. We had winds up to 40 mph and was contemplating whether to bring it to the inside but in the closed position it did not move at all.

I would have given this umbrella 5 stars if it holds up like expected. Most fabrics now are not what we were looking for- - a thin polyester fabric. This one is a woven type material and should last much longer. I love the large size. I took advice of another reviewer and ordered the Veranda Bronze Base which is quite heavy and appropriate for this size umbrella. If this fabric holds up like our older umbrella, it will be perfect!

Sandy colored, not white. Large spread. Top heavy, therefore vulnerable to any wind. Be carefule if using tilt...you are just asking for even mild wind to blow the umbrella away. Easy to clean material...kind of a mix of plastic and cotton (good thing if a bird ever poops on it). Find a base with a large opening because the pole is a little larger than average.

I was so excited about this umbrella after reading all the great reviews on it. I purchased it a couple of weeks before my daughters birthday party. The second day that we had the umbrella the wind blew it out of our heavy umbrella stand and table. The pole broke and bent the crank handle! This was with the umbrella closed and tied with a rope. I was very disappointed after reading reviews that it had held up in high winds. My husband was able to fix the umbrella so that it was still useable for my daughters birthday party and from then on we completly removed it from the table after each use. With in two months the string on the pully had completly broken and the umbrella is now unusable. So for the price and two months use I would say that this is not a good value at all! It does come with a 5 year warenty. This is only if the product is damaged by UV rays. I also tried numerous times to contact the manufacture to see about geting replacement parts to fix the pully and was unable to get anyone on the phone. I left messages and never recieved a return call.