Help me pick an outdoor umbrella stand

[Dixie]

Soliciting input on a good outdoor umbrella stand that will endure being moved, and can withstand a hurricane. (Either brought in, or won't become a cannonball.) Would a water filled one be best?

FWIW, I'll be buying a 9' umbrella at the same time. It'll do split duty between the Adirondack chairs, and the seating area during parties. My target spending is around $100 for both.

[HobieMarty]

What sort of style are you looking for, round or square?
We have a square one that is cast iron and very heavy. It is similar to the one I have pictured here. The one in the picture is at Walmart and is 52 pounds, but it is well over your budget at 195 bucks, though.

I am confident with our cast iron umbrella base. All I do is crank the umbrella down if we have storms coming. The one we have was left here when we bought the house, so, freebie!!! It was green and I painted it satin black. Anyway, I haven't been much help, but I would go with a cast iron base if possible.

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[Dixie]

Originally Posted by HobieMarty

The one in the picture is at Walmart and is 52 pounds, but it is well over your budget at 195 bucks, though.

That probably wouldn't blow into someone house during a hurricane, but square makes it hard to move.

The problem with the uninitiated leaving lawn furniture and grills out isn't that they blow away in a hurricane. It's that they fly into peoples cars and houses. Boats, still attached to trailers, ramming into houses is also a problem.

[masraum]

I guess a tire full of cement with a galvanized pipe embedded in the cement is not really an option?

You could use an old tire from the Camaro, and then it would be personalized!

[rfuerst911sc]

A few thoughts . By chance do you own a hand cart ? If you do then moving a square base is relatively easy . Check Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for a base in your area , you can buy for pennies on the dollar . Also yard sales . Whatever base you end up with put a liberal coat of grease on the threads of the bolt that holds the canopy post in . They always rust if you don't .

I previously lived in Orlando for 18 years so well aware of the power of hurricanes . There is absolutely no way I would leave the umbrella outside . Regardless of it being closed and velcro shut . Just no way . We had our metal gate bent into a horseshoe shape from a hurricane . Mature bushes ripped out of the ground and ended up who knows where . You get the picture and I know you know this . Just a reminder . Good luck

[HobieMarty]

Originally Posted by Dixie

That probably wouldn't blow into someone house during a hurricane, but square makes it hard to move.



The problem with the uninitiated leaving lawn furniture and grills out isn't that they blow away in a hurricane. It's that they fly into peoples cars and houses. Boats, still attached to trailers, ramming into houses is also a problem.

They also have circular ones that are cast iron as well.
Growing up in Florida taught me to batten down the hatches when storms rolled in. I make sure everything is secured or put inside my storage building. Our umbrella just gets cranked down most times unless it is a really bad storm expected. When we started using our base, the screw in pin thing was missing, so I drilled a hole all the way through it, and I used a bolt with a nut to hold the umbrella in place. That thing isn't going anywhere!!! Lol.

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[JavaBrewer]

Having never lived in FL or experienced a hurricane in person my thought would be a heavy stand from Craig's list. If the winds will be blowing collapse the umbrella and remove from the stand prior. Umbrella/canopy's are cheap these days and are quickly worn out with sun rot/fading. Figure a new one every 3 years or so for under $100.

Edit - here in SoCal (San Diego) we are accustomed to off shore winds from the East that can reach 80+ mph certain times of the year. During those events I move outdoor stuff indoors to limit damage. My property however is usually littered with huge Mexican Fan Palm leaves from the neighbors.

[greglepore]

I have the square cast iron stand above. Actually got 2 of them w/ 12 ft wood umbrellas at a Habitat Restore for $50 each. One umbrella needed new canvas, Pottery Barn sunbrella on closeout. I've had one blow over once in a 60 mph gust but it just went over, didn't go anywhere.

I'd check out your local thrift stores etc.

[HobieMarty]

The one I have doesn't have all the open areas like the one in the picture that I posted. It is cast with some scrolling type details but is solid. I've never weighed it before, but it is very heavy.

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[jyl]

How about embed a section of pipe in the cement, sized to fit the umbrella pole? The umbrella without stand is light and easy to stash away. No stand to move around. Cost - rent a hammer drill, a bit of pipe, either epoxy or cement. If the surface is pavers that you can lift out with dirt below, then even easier.

[craigster59]

Buy the decorative stand you like and a couple of these weighted bags. We use them in film production to weight down C-stands and lighting when outdoors in windy conditions. Easy to move and store:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1161030-REG/impact_sbf_o_15_saddle_sandbag_15lb.html/overview

[masraum]

Originally Posted by greglepore

I have the square cast iron stand above. Actually got 2 of them w/ 12 ft wood umbrellas at a Habitat Restore for $50 each. One umbrella needed new canvas, Pottery Barn sunbrella on closeout. I've had one blow over once in a 60 mph gust but it just went over, didn't go anywhere.

I'd check out your local thrift stores etc.

Clearly what she really needs to do is drive through the neighborhoods around her place and "find" good stuff on the side of the road ala Baz. I think he's found a couple of umbrellas and stands over the years.

[rcooled]

This type of stand is easily moved around, then the wheels can be locked when it needs to stay put. It's made of thick plastic so it won't rust and can be filled with over 100lbs of sand or pea gravel so the umbrella can't be easily blown over. Move it someplace safe if/when a hurricane approaches.

Umbrella stand on Amazon

These are available from Costco and other sources too.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by jyl

How about embed a section of pipe in the cement, sized to fit the umbrella pole? The umbrella without stand is light and easy to stash away. No stand to move around. Cost - rent a hammer drill, a bit of pipe, either epoxy or cement. If the surface is pavers that you can lift out with dirt below, then even easier.

Genius! I'd go with 2 pieces of pipe, one flush with the ground that you could put some sort of rubber/plastic cap in to keep stuff out of the hole when the other pipe was not in the ground. Then a piece of pipe that would fit inside that one that the umbrella would go into (most umbrellas aren't tall enough to go a couple of feet down into the ground, I think).

[Tobra]

I think you are supposed to stow the umbrella during hurricanes or tornadoes

[WPOZZZ]

I like this one from Home Depot. 55lbs, concrete and steel.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WESTIN-OUTDOOR-Manyard-55-lbs-Square-Concrete-Filled-Standing-Patio-Umbrella-Base-in-Black-9813101/310741058

[911 Rod]

I replaced mine with an awning and will never go back.
Looks like you have a good spot for one.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Buy the decorative stand you like and a couple of these weighted bags. We use them in film production to weight down C-stands and lighting when outdoors in windy conditions. Easy to move and store:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1161030-REG/impact_sbf_o_15_saddle_sandbag_15lb.html/overview

I only recommend these because it makes it easier to prepare for winds by grabbing a couple of sandbags by the handle and placing them on the base. You can always cover with a beach towel if "presentation" is key to your guests.

When it's time to put away you're only moving a few 15lb sandbags as opposed to trying to wrestle a 50-60lb base into storage.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by masraum

Clearly what she really needs to do is drive through the neighborhoods around her place and "find" good stuff on the side of the road ala Baz.

The issue in Florida is people drive around and "find" stuff that's in your yard, not the road. Heck, one day I came home to find my neighbor getting ready to shorten a metal awning he had found so it would fit his house. Problem was it was my awning, and he "found" it in my yard. ...Idiot

[bleucamaro]

My thoughts. you want 3 attributes.
1. Heavy - so it won't take flight
2. Round - so you can tip and roll it around
3. Short enough (and small enough diameter) to fit your table. - I have tables that don't fit our stand...