The choice for the right parasol cloth is not as simple as it seems, because what do you need to consider? There are several factors that are decisive in the choice for the right cloth for your parasol. Several examples; the waterproofness, the color fastness, the way the cloth has been woven, the wind resistance, and the UV protection.
Waterproofness
Waterproofness, what is this and why does it matter? A cloth of a high quality has a high, so-named, ‘water column.’ A water column tells us something about the amount of water can stay on the cloth off the parasol before it starts seeping through. A water column of 500mm tells us that a cloth wont ‘leak’ until there is a pressure that resembles the weight of a column of water that is 50cm high on the cloth. This column expresses the water pressure on the cloth, before the material leaks. The Solero parasol cloths have been tested with a water column of 500mm and with this they are capable to withstand heavy rain, while you stay dry.
Color fastness
Color fastness might be the most important factor in the purchase of your parasol. Because besides sitting under your parasol, it also needs to be, and stay, beautiful as it is a type of furniture for in your garden or on your terrace. The color fastness of your parasol is mostly determined by the way it has been colored. The Solero parasol cloths are painted in the core of the fiber during production, compare this to an orange carrot that is colored from inside-out, compared to other cloths that are painted after weaving, and therefore are only colored on the surface, like a radish. Colored on the outside, but without pigment on the inside. This, in combination with the UV-protective coating make sure that the cloth is resistant to the radiation of the sun, and so that the color isn’t majorly affected.
platinum grey
azur
bitter orange
navy blue
lead grey
forest green
off white
carbon grey
buttercup
forest green
burgundy
black widow
natural white
pearl white
night blue
olive green
paris red
red
taupe
terra cotta
black
Wind restistance
Wind resistance usually has more to do with the construction of the parasol than the cloth. The Solero parasol cloth has a quality of 300 grams per square meter, a few editions have a cloth of 210 grams per square meter. That is a pretty thick quality, which can handle some hits. A parasol cloth can, naturally, be damage with careless use, but this has more to do with the way of storing than the weather circumstances. With careful use of a protective cover, you will have years of pleasure from the Solero parasol cloth.
Color
Besides the color fastness, is the color of the cloth another underestimated factor. People quickly choose for a black cloth for on their new parasol, but don’t realize that it can be much darker than they realize. Especially if they have had a natural parasol for many years. This does not matter for the protection against dangerous UV radiation, but the sensation under the parasol will be different. A light or natural colored parasol will give the sensation of space, while a black cloth will give a sensation of coziness. On commercial terraces you will see darker cloths more often, because it is cozier, while for the backyard it might be preferable to have a sense of space or freedom under your parasol. Anthracite and taupe are cloth colors that are nicely in between these two, they give a good shadow, but aren’t as easily soiled as a natural cloth.
