Those who are good with their hands can learn to make simple outdoor umbrellas at home and save money.  Wooden umbrellas look attractive and provide wonderful protection during all kinds of weather.  Now, you can find out how to make umbrellas from recycled wood or teak.  These, if constructed properly will save its owner a lot of money and will be the envy of your friends.  If the wood is treated well with the proper weather proof stains, your home made wood umbrella will last long.

Here are some items you will need to construct wood umbrellas:
•    Nylon or vinyl fabric
•    Wooden pole
•    Measuring tape
•    Pins
•    Scissors
•    Glue
•    Plywood circle
•    Braided nylon rope
•    Wood strips – around 8 in number
Treat the wooden pole with the necessary stain, paint etc, to protect it from rain and sun and to give it a nice shine.  There are even carved wooden poles available that you can purchase.  Now, place the nylon or vinyl fabric on a flat surface and cut two pieces that are 60” long and 36” wide.

Fold them lengthwise, find and mark the center point.  Now draw a half-circle of the required radius.  Cut along the line and then make three markings 30” apart from the edge of the circle.  Cut off excess fabric and you will have a large half circle fabric.  Place on top of second fabric and secure the two with pins.  Cut and keep away all excess material.  Place the two sheets next to each other with the hole centered and glue the edges.  Place weights on top so that the fabric will be flat and dry well.

Cut a plywood piece of around 5” radius, make a central hole and glue it to the inside of the fabric, making sure the central holes are positioned correctly.  The next step in making your wood market umbrella is to arrange the 8 wood strips in the centre of the fabric to represent the ribs of an umbrella.  Glue them and leave to dry.  Insert the treated wooden pole, glue the edges of the fabric to the pole and leave it to dry completely.  Add decorations and patterns to the fabric and pole to make your umbrella colorful.

Now, if you have a picnic table and wish to insert this homemade wood umbrella into the center, this can also be done as long as you have a few plumbing tools with you.  Large market or commercial outdoor umbrella is a wonderful addition to the picnic table and the whole family can enjoy a barbeque outdoors.  Measure the size of the wood umbrella pole and make sure you get a pipe flange of that size.  Measure the picnic table and get the center point.  Now, drill a hole through the center of the table.

Assemble the pipe parts using the guide that comes along with how to assemble your tap set.  Make a small hole on the short pipe at the side where you will place a thumb screw.  Place your picnic table in the side, line the flange to the hole in the center and screw the flange to the table.  Now screw the short pipe to the flange using a thumb screw.  Return the table back to normal and place a computer grommet through the central opening.  Remove the grommet cap and insert the pole of the market umbrella through it.  

For those who prefer, they need not use the computer grommet which is used only for its appearance and not to secure the patio umbrella.  Now, your picnic table is well protected with your own homemade market umbrella. An offset umbrella has greater flexibility than most other types of patio umbrellas for it has a side pole, can be rotated easily and comes with an optional tilt and lock facility.  It can be placed over a coffee table, near the pool, Jacuzzi or spa.  Since it has a side pole, it can be installed anywhere and the coffee table does not need a hole in the center.

If you decide to go in for an offset umbrella, here are two main considerations: do not buy a very large size model especially if you live in windy areas.  The base of the offset umbrella should be a minimum of 100 pounds at least.  You can add concrete or sand to the base to make it heavier.  Check all models and prices before settling on your preferred choice.