Most backyard decks, patios and pool areas have patio umbrellas to provide a shady spot for some relief from the sun. While we appreciate these umbrellas during the day, we seldom give them a thought once the sun sets unless it is to close them. With the addition of solar umbrella lights, those patio umbrellas can become an asset at night by becoming not only a source of light but also a decorative accent.
You won’t find a faster or more economical way to add a little atmosphere to your backyard than by using solar lights on your patio umbrellas. Let’s take a look at the options you can choose from for adding solar powered lighting to your patio umbrellas.
For homeowners who need to replace an existing umbrella, or those who are purchasing an umbrella for the first time, umbrellas are available with solar lighting pre-installed. The price you will pay for a patio umbrella that has solar lights on it is generally in the same range as umbrellas that are not lighted, so there is no reason not to go with the solar lighted option. The umbrellas are equipped with unobtrusive solar panels at the top that collect energy from the sun during the day. The lights strings are attached to the ribs of the umbrella and use LED bulbs for a bright light. As with unlit umbrellas, you will find umbrellas with solar lights with center posts or offset styles and most can be used in the center of your patio table or as a freestanding umbrella when used with an umbrella base.
If you don’t need a new umbrella, there are several options for you as well. The first is a set of solar lights made especially for attaching to an outdoor umbrella. These strings of LED lights clip onto the ribs of the umbrella. These are generally white lights very much like a string of Christmas lights. If you prefer something a little different, there are a good many different choices of solar string lights that can be adapted for use on your umbrella. Most of these lights have decorative covers over LED bulbs. You will also find them in single colored and multi colored sets. You can wind these along the umbrella ribs or around the outside edge of your umbrella and attach them with small wire ties to the end of each rib.
Whether you add solar lights to an umbrella you already own or purchase an umbrella that has lights on it, you will enjoy the decorative effect as well as the additional light after dark from your patio umbrella lights.
