Umbrella stands have adorned the entryway of homes and public places for generations. While serving as a convenient place to store wet umbrellas, umbrella stands help to keep floors dry to diminish accidental slips and falls. While homeowners have used simple devices to store umbrellas including milk cans and buckets, these devices may not serve to compliment the appearance of the entryway.
Umbrella Stand Materials
Umbrella holders fashioned from brass or copper have been a traditional favorite of homeowners due to the beauty and wide range of available finishes. Brass or copper umbrella holders can be found in highly polished mirror finishes, muted antique finishes, and textured or hammered designs. Brass and copper have the added benefit of being highly corrosion resistant for years of worry free use without rusting. Another popular choice for umbrella holders is porcelain or ceramic materials. Ceramic stands offer a great variety of finish designs. Glazed ceramic materials are virtually rustproof and can withstand years of continuous use without fading or degradation. If selecting a ceramic stand, to avoid breakage make sure the diameter and weight of the stand are sufficient to avoid accidental tipover when removing umbrellas. Iron umbrella stands are typically the most affordable stands and offer high durability and a great variety of styles. Most iron materials are enameled or painted and can rust with exposure to moisture from umbrellas. Holders made of iron can be simply restored by removing the rust and painting with a high-quality enamel. The newest generation of stands are constructed of stainless steel which is both durable and rust resistant.
Selecting the Best Stand Size
For small home or apartment use, a holder with a diameter of eight inches is normally adequate to store up to four umbrellas if the umbrellas are not tightly wrapped. For home of office use, a holder with a diameter of nine inches is a popular choice and is normally adequate to store from four to seven umbrellas if the umbrellas are not tightly wrapped. For a larger office, a diameter of ten inches or more is generally required. As a general rule of thumb, a stand with a larger diameter is more resistant to tipover. A diamter of nine inches or greater is best for use in a public area. A standard height for umbrella receptacles for home or office use is twenty inches or taller. Where full size umbrellas are encountered, as in a large office or public area, a receptable should be at least twenty inches tall.
