May 31st, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Garden parasols are an incredibly popular addition to gardens and outdoor seating areas – chances are you have seen them if you have spent any summer afternoons in the beer garden. However, you might be wondering if parasols offer other benefits other than looking nice. Well, if you consider that parasols have been around for hundreds of years then it’s understandable that they certainly have a lot more to offer. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of using a parasol in your garden.

Parasols Have Benn Used for Years

As mentioned above parasols have been around for centuries with the earliest use of parasols has been dated back to Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome where parasols were made of palm leaves and papyrus to provide shade and block the sun's rays during extended periods outside. They can also be found in many East Asian countries such as China and Japan – these intricately designed parasols were often used by women as accessories as well as means to help shelter from the sun’s rays. Parasols were also very popular for women during the Victorian era and were often made with intricate lace patterns. Nowadays in Western countries, parasols are more often much large and found in gardens or outdoor seating areas rather than being carried around.

Modern Parasols

As mentioned above modern parasols are often found in gardens or outdoor seating areas during warm weather, they have also undergone many other changes over the years thanks to the advancements in technologies and synthetic materials. The parasols used today are more often than not made with fabric, wood and sometimes metal. The most common fabrics used are canvas, acrylic and polyester. They come in a wind range of colours and designs as well as some fantastic modern features such as built-in LED lights making them an even more attractive centrepiece for your outdoor furniture. But what else can a parasol do for you and are they worth the investment?

Helps to Keep You Cool

As mentioned above parasols have often been used to help keep people sheltered from the sun and with advancements in designs and materials parasols are now even more adept at keeping you sheltered from the sun and creating an area of shade that will help you to feel cooler, the large the parasol the large the shaded area which will provide better cooling.

So why do you feel cooler when you are in the shade, well that is because you are no longer in the direct line of the sun’s rays, which means that your body does not absorb as much heat energy which leads to us feeling cooler, even if the overall ambient temperature is not any lower, this is the same for the items around us – since the floor, tables and chairs, for example, also absorb heat energy this then emits radiant heat which can make us feel warmer, if they are not exposed to the sun they cannot absorb heat energy and will not radiate heat which will help to lower our bodies temperature.

Parasols offer a barrier from the sun’s direct rays which make us feel cooler, and the types of material or colour of the parasol can also greatly impact the performance. For example, using a parasol in a lighter or neutral colour will keep the shaded area below the parasol cooler as it will not absorb as much heat energy this will in turn not be released as radiant – whereas darker colours will absorb more heat energy that will make the space below will be warmer. The material and fabric used for the canopy will also play a large part in how much cooler you will feel in the shade of the parasol. For example, materials such as Nylon while robust trap and absorb heat energy which is why, those who enjoy camping, will know that when a tent is left out in the summer it can become incredibly hot inside, so purchasing a parasol made of the right material will help in making you feel cooler, materials such as acrylic and polyester adsorb less heat energy.

Offers Sun Protection

Now we know that your parasol can help you to feel cooler when the temperature starts to rise, you may be wondering if it can also offer protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun. The short answer is, yes, your parasol can also protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays that can lead to problems such as sunburn and sunstroke. This is done by creating a barrier between you and the sun, for added UV protection you can also purchase parasols with a reflective finish that will reflect the sun’s rays better protecting you against the rays.

Of course, it is important to understand that parasols have their restrictions when it comes to sun protection and if you are planning to spend long periods of time in the sun it is vital to remain hydrated even while in the shade and to also use a second form of UV protection in the form of SPF lotions. Some parasols can also struggle to offer protection from all angles, because as we know the sun will move across the sky throughout the day, which means it will not always be directly above us. Choosing a parasol that has a tilt function will enable you to change the position of your parasol as the sun changes position offering better protection.

What to look for in a parasol

We have already touched on this throughout the blog, but if you have made up your mind to purchase a parasol for your yard, there are a few features we highly recommended looking for to make sure you are making the most of protection and shade your parasol can off.

The first is to carefully consider the colour and material of your parasol if you want to prioritise creating a space that is much cooler than the rest of your garden we advise choosing a light or neutral-coloured parasol as these will not absorb as much heat energy. Likewise choosing the right kind of materials is also important opting for acrylic or polyester parasols are not only robust but will offer better UV protection.

Look for a parasol that has a tilt function that will also enable you to make the most of the sun protection offered as you will be able to alter the position of your parasol to match the position of the sun’s rays, which will not only help you to feel cooler but will offer UV protection all day long.  

Finally, if aesthetics is just as important as functionality, then you can find parasols in a wide range of colours and patterns to suit your tastes, or parasols with built-in LED will not only protect you throughout the day but will also look stunning on a night time too, so you can really make the most of your time out in the garden from sunrise to sunset.

Glamhaus Solar LED Parasol - Khaki

Price: £115.00

Buy Now

It’s not hard to see why parasols have stood the test of time and why they have certainly changed in style and usage over the years, even now they are still a popular choice for providing a cool area to relax out in the sunshine. So, if you were unsure if investing in a parasol was worth it for your own yard or for your business then we hope this blog was able to provide the information you need to make your choice.