Having proper outdoor lighting can mean the difference between enjoying your outdoor space and letting it go to waste. If you have one or more patio umbrellas, you can spruce up your backyard with patio umbrella lights. Installation is easy – and they come in a variety of colors and types to make your backyard a center point for fun and relaxation. Whether you’re looking to let your creativity run wild, or simply want a quick way to spruce up your living space, the large selection of colors and styles allows for people of all tastes to enjoy a perfectly lighted backyard. These lights offer a decorative and inexpensive way to extend your outdoor entertainment long after to sun goes down.
Types Of Mounts
Vein Mounted
The typical patio umbrella light features a lighted module that slides onto the umbrella shaft. Other types are designed to be attached on the umbrella arms. Most light systems never need to be removed from the umbrella, and allow you to open/close the umbrella as usual. The pole mounted lights will require you to remove the umbrella from the mount. The light pod slides up the pole and rests just under the umbrella’s veins. Umbrella string lights work a little differently. They are a series of lighted strings which each attach to an umbrella vein (The collapsible frame that holds the umbrella up). Each light string connects to a central plug center to power them. Choosing a light type depends on personal preference. Pole mounted lights are good for situations where a no-nonsense light source is needed, say for reading and eating under. Vein mounted outdoor umbrella lights also provide excellent lighting but end up providing a more surreal, decorative effect.
Energy Efficiency And Lighting Effects
Pole Mounted
Most patio umbrella light systems are quite energy efficient, making them an economical solution to your outdoor needs. Many multi-light systems include a built-in function that keeps the lights on if one bulb happens to burn out. This is a handy feature to look for when buying a set, as it can be a pain to have your lights go out unexpectedly during the night. For people who have concerns with the lights drawing bugs (especially mosquitoes), look for outdoor umbrella lights that feature “diffused lighting ambiance”. They produce a specific type of light that does not draw as many bugs & critters.
Whether you’re looking for the appealing subtle glow of soft light or bold colors, there is a patio umbrella light system for you. For basic lighting needs like entertainment, reading, cooking and conversing, a standard color like white or yellow is generally the best way to go. For special events such as birthdays, get-togethers and pool parties, the color possibilities are endless. Systems that use LED type lights can produce any color you desire. LED lights are also far more energy efficient and longer-lasting that their incandescent counterparts. The internet is a great place to find patio umbrella lights, so look around a bit to find the best umbrella light for you!
Solar Technology
Solar technology has made its way into the patio umbrella light field, providing practically free lighting for patio umbrellas. Solar umbrella lights are available that gather energy from the sun during the day to power the lights at night. This system works well in areas that get full sunlight during the day. The solar light kit will have a panel which can be placed wither on top of the umbrella or anywhere else that receives sunlight. Some manufacturers are making umbrellas that come with the lights and solar technology built right in. Solar technology is often incorporated into the form of umbrella string lights which are powered from a single solar panel.
Additional Thoughts
Make sure that the umbrella lighting kit will fit the umbrella that you own. This is especially important for the vein mounted lights. Pole mounted lights will fit most umbrellas because they usually come with a series of adapters to ensure a snug fit to your umbrella’s pole diameter.
Learning the facts about a product is an important step in the purchasing process. Patio umbrella lights come in three general types. Before we look more into these, let’s go over some general information on these lighting systems. Using conventional lighting systems such as lamps outdoors isn’t exactly the most elegant way to light your outdoor space (And not very safe, either). Patio umbrella lighting systems are designed to be attached to the umbrella shaft or veins and are safe to use outdoors. These lights illuminate the area under the umbrella for an aesthetically appealing and simple lighting solution. Visitors will find the lights quite elegant and innovative.
The light intensity of patio umbrella lights will vary by the type used, but is generally perfect for conversing, reading or eating under. The variations in color can be applied to different purposes, such as parties and other events. Let’s take a look at the different types of lights available to help you find the best one for you.
The first type of lights are the kind that hang from the veins of the umbrella. These shine directly onto the table for a “natural light” feel. Installation is slightly more involved than some of the other types, but is not very hard to do. Umbrella vein lights will require a power source from a wall outlet. Be sure to plan ahead to figure out where to lay the extension cord to avoid tripping. Although it might seem less appealing to have a cord running to the lights, it provides an uninterrupted power source that doesn’t run out. This method is a great way to go for larger patio umbrellas and provides a more powerful light source.
The second type of light is an LED light ring that attaches to the umbrella shaft. This type works better with smaller, octagonal umbrellas. LED lights are very energy efficient and don’t require replacement very often. The light modules on the device are directional and can be pointed to shine where needed. These types of lights require batteries, so be sure to keep some close at hand.
Solar light systems use a solar panel that sits on top of the umbrella which powers the patio lights. During the day, the panel captures solar energy into a rechargeable battery pack. At night these lights can be turned on as needed. This is a great solution for people looking for a no-hassle method. This type of patio umbrella light also uses LED technology for long lasting reliability. Umbrella string lights are completely disconnected to your home’s power grid, saving you money.
Patio umbrella lights are easy to install, with install times generally around 20 minutes. Being able to install these lights quickly and easily is one of the many reasons why outdoor umbrella lights are a great way to enjoy outdoor space. Some models require you to insert rechargeable/single use batteries into the unit before installation. For convenience, the solar powered models come with the rechargeable batteries in the box. With just a few minutes of preparation, you can be enjoying your lights in that same evening.
When choosing a light style, there are several things to keep in mind. First, you should be aware that there are several types of patio umbrella lights (See our post titled “Examining three types of patio umbrella lighting”). One type of light has 6-8 light branches that extend the length of each umbrella vein. The cords plug into a multi-plug receptacle that is positioned at the center of the umbrella pole. A single cord then runs down the pole and into your extension cable coming from the wall. Umbrella string lights produce a soft light that is more decorative than functional.
Another type is a self-contained LED light module that runs off of batteries. This unit slides onto the umbrella pole and often features an adjustable light feature. This is a very flexible style with simple installation. Solar powered lights work in much the same fashion as this type except you will need to place a solar panel on top of the umbrella to capture solar energy. Here are some general instructions on installing your lights:
For patio umbrella lights that attach to the pole, the light fixture will need to be clamped on. This is a simple process that involves unclamping the light module and fitting it onto the pole. For strand lights, you clamp the plug receptacle to the center of the pole, just under the umbrella’s top. The strand lights themselves will have small clamps which secure them to the umbrella veins. After each strand is attached, plug them into the plug receptacle (adjust as needed so all strands reach).
Most umbrella lights will come with special inserts that will fit the unit to any standard sized pole. Hold the light fixture up to the pole to see if it will fit without any inserts. If it does not fit, try different inserts until you achieve a smooth yet snug fit (It will be obvious which one fits once you find it).
These are general instructions only, and each patio umbrella light will be slightly different. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions and you’ll be good to go!
