Hello Forum,

I need some advice regarding the use of an umbrella on my deck.

I have a big-ish umbrella that I want to use on my deck but I don’t want it on one of those stands with a weighted base. My idea is to use either

1. a base that is anchored into the deck,
2. secures the umbrella against one of the deck rail posts (not a banister), or
3. a combination of both.

I have found that the stands with a weighted base move around too much when there is even a light wind and/or blow over in a heavy storm (even when the umbrella closed).

OK Forum, here are my questions:

1. What do you think, good idea or bad?
2. Can it work? If so, tell me how? If not, why not?
3. What are the challenges to this approach?
4. Where can I buy a base that anchors into the deck?
5. What can I use (and where do I buy it) to secure the umbrella against one of the deck rail posts? The umbrella has a pole with diameter of 1.8 inches.

Also, please let me know if you think I should post this to a different forum?

Thanks in advance for your assistance and knowledge with this.

Regards and happy holiday,
Andy Frank

 

I would go with plan "3". A "U" strap attached to the deck rail and a post to wall socket ( that's not the correct name but describes it) attached to the deck floor. Alternative would be to attach four "L" brackets to the deck 90 degrees apart which would act as a base socket for the pole.

 

Why can't you use the weighted base that came with the umbrella and anchor THAT base to the deck??

Other than a couple of bolts and large washers, you shouldn't have to buy anything.

 

i've seen at ace hardware a plastic sleeve maybe ten inches high
and tie down nuts that hold the umbrella and then a metal wedge that spins inside the the space between decks and wedges itself in.
just an idea