Commercial Parasol FAQs

  • Shade Zone’s commercial parasols have a starting price of £1700, varying depending on size and system chosen. There is also the option to add lighting and heating to your parasol installation.

  • We always recommend ordering ahead of time, as lead times can vary greatly. Whilst Shade Zone always try to process and deliver as quickly as possible, we recommend a consideration of 6-8 weeks. This is to allow for processing, manufacturing and delivery, due to changes in customs after Brexit.

  • It is always worth speaking to your local council as it can depend on where you are situated. It will also depend on whether you have permission to use the space from the council, such as high street space, and whether you want a permanent fixture, or a parasol that is attached with a base.

  • Installing a parasol is easy, and can often be completed by the customer themselves, however it does depend on the bases you are using. If no electrics are involved, it may slot straight together and can take 10 minutes. However if your parasol includes but then there might be electrics which they would need an electrician as well as if it is in-ground anchor tubes so we can’t really give them a specific amount of time.

  • Yes! Shade Zone will ship the parasol to your location, and you can easily install the parasol yourself. However if you are having any electronics attached to your parasol, such as heating or lighting, and requiring wiring or groundworks, then you will need to arrange a local, qualified electrician or tradesman to complete the works safely.

  • Shade Zone only supplies parasols with fabric made from acrylic, which means there should be no fade at all. However, fading can occur over a long period of time (4-5 years) in poor conditions. Proper parasol care including using a cover during summer and winter storage when not in use, will help to ensure fade is minimal and in most cases, does not occur at all.

  • Shade Zone does not recommend leaving your parasol up overnight whatever the conditions. Whilst they are strong and hardy and being left open will not directly damage the parasol short term, proper care will ensure added years of service. Parasols should be lowered when not in use, with the option of using a night cover to help it stay clean and protect against fading. Whilst not all parasols can be removed and put into storage during the winter months, it is good practice to put them into storage when not in use for long periods of time.

  • In alfresco terms, an umbrella is a smaller, more lightweight version of a parasol, often bought from a high street and used in gardens for picnic tables. In contrast, a parasol is a larger structure which provides large amounts of shade to an area, not just over the centre of the table. Parasols are more commonly purchased in the commercial sector for outdoor areas at hotels, pubs and restaurants, even schools.

  • Shade Zone does not offer cantilever parasols due to their lack of wind proofing. Shade Zone only supplies the best products for the sector to ensure the client gets the best possible experience.

    There are a large variety of Cantilever parasols on the market, however Shade Zone would not recommend a Cantilever Parasol for the commercial market as needs are much more heavy duty and hard wearing than is offered on the market at most high street retailers.

    Common problems found in Cantilever Parasols are:

    They blow over

    You need a lot of space available to get the positioning for shade right

    You can’t easily put a weather cover over it to protect it from the elements

    They are almost too heavy for residential regular use

    Residential cantilever parasols are often attached to a base with wheels, and not fixed into the ground, making them unsafe in the wind

    When fixed into the ground, the cantilever parasol loses some of its movement and flexibility.

    For the commercial market, particular those near the sea front or in windy areas, Shade Zone would recommend a permanent parasol fixture such as the Vortex, which is wind resistant and proven to last in harsh environments.

  • The size of your parasol will be directly affected by the space available, and the amount of people you would like to sit comfortably under it. A commercial parasol for a restaurant for example, may wish to seat 4 standard sized tables, which would be a 4x4m parasol. When enquiring about a parasol, be sure to send us a picture and measurements of the space you have available to work with.

    Shade Zone parasols are built to cover a large area, and do not apply to the kind of smaller parasols you would put in the centre of a table. However, we have put together a simple guide to help you determine what might fit your needs best.

    Furniture Set

    Parasol Size

    4 Tables

    4 x 4m

    6 Tables

    4 x 6m

  • A wind rated parasol is a giant parasol that has proven strength against high winds. The parasols supplied by Shade Zone are substantial and strong, making great use of modern technology and materials. We only supply giant parasols that have been tested for high wind performance so that our customers do not have to worry about how the parasol will hold up in extreme environments.