What Color Umbrella is Best for Sun Protection?

It’s important to consider what color umbrella is best for sun protection during the hot summer months. Choosing the perfect umbrella for your outdoor area is not just about the most stylish one you can find; you need to consider which color umbrella will be the most effective. We know that lighter colors reflect light while darker colors absorb it, but how does this affect our artificial shade needs?

What Is the Best Color Umbrella for Sun Protection

Black patio umbrellas are the best in terms of UV protection because of their excellent heat absorption properties on those hot summer days. The great thing about this neutral shade is that it matches any other color, making it the best color for a patio umbrella that complements your outdoor aesthetic If black really is not your style, then opt for umbrellas in vivid and dark colors like navy blue, burgundy, bottle green, or purple. Sadly, although yellow is such a cheerful color – and immensely popular in outdoor décor – it seems to be one of the worst in terms of UV protection. Black patio umbrellas attract and absorb heat (keeping and protecting you from 95% of harmful UV rays compared to light-colored umbrellas.

 

How Does Fabric Density Influence UV Protection?

The fabric of umbrellas has several physical parameters that affect UV light transmission. The denser the fabric, the lower the ultraviolet light transmission. The coverage and thickness of the fabric have the biggest impact on UV radiation protection. Polyester fabric is a popular choice due to its durability and ability to provide effective sun protection while also being lightweight. The density of umbrella canopy fabric is graded by weight, with common weights being 180g and 250g. The rule of thumb is that the thicker the fabric, the better it will filter out UV rays. Bear in mind that heavier umbrella fabric also means your umbrella frame needs to be sufficiently sturdy to hold it.

How Important is UPF Rating?

The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating is a universal system that measures the sun-blocking ability of a UV umbrella. It basically informs how much UVA and UVB radiation a fabric protects you from. Higher UPF ratings mean better sun protection. A product’s UPF rating is affected by factors including product construction, color, and chemical treatments. UPF differs from SPF (sun protection factor), which is a measurement of how much UV radiation is needed to burn skin. The American UPF rating system uses three categories:

1. Good protection gives UPF values of 15 and 20, thereby blocking 93.3 percent to 95.8 percent of UV rays.
2. Very good protection: UPF values of 25, 30, and 35, blocking 96 percent to 97.4 percent of UV rays.
3. Excellent protection: UPF values of 40, 45, 50, and 50+ offer roughly 97.5 percent to 98 percent of UV blockage.

Choosing the Best UV Umbrella for Maximum Protection

Minimizing your risk of skin cancer, loss of skin elasticity and other harmful effects of ultraviolet rays should be a priority – whether you have darker or lighter skin. If you are serious about limiting your UV exposure, a product’s UPF rating will be of utmost importance to you. When you sit under a black umbrella, the amount of UV radiation that gets to you is the sum of the direct light that the fabric allows through added to the reflected light. This depends on where your umbrella is positioned, so it is difficult to quantify. Although an umbrella will go a long way to minimizing those UV rays, it will not protect you from one hundred percent of them. Think of your patio umbrella as a filter or as a super-effective layer of sunscreen for the whole family. When buying a patio umbrella for your residence or for a commercial outdoor area, consider all factors that will affect this important aspect of outdoor living – including the size of your outdoor space, how the seating is arranged, how often and when you plan to use the umbrellas, are they for year-round or seasonal use as well as budget and style considerations. Selecting the best patio umbrella color for your needs can be a challenging task. At Poggesi, you have many choices when deciding what color patio umbrella you like most. Get in touch to peruse our collection and learn what color umbrella is best for sun protection while also finding the perfect style for your outdoor space.