Parasol FAQs

Which colour provides the best sun protection?

All Sun Bella products have been rated UPF50+ which is the highest possible UPF rating.

The colour of different fabrics can enhance or detract from the UV blocking effectiveness of some fabrics. However, all Sun Bella fabrics are so tightly woven that the colour does not affect the UPF rating of our parasols.

Will these parasol protect me from the rain?

The new All Seasons range of UV Umbrellas are suitable for rain and sun.

Our Cosmopolitan range of parasols are rain resistant. The sun blocker treatment, applied to the fabric, causes water to bead off the canopy. However, they have a slightly smaller canopy than a rain umbrella as they are designed primarily as a sun umbrella - they can be angled to maximise your shade to protect your upper body, whilst being unobtrusive in a crowd.

Will I feel cooler under a Sun Bella parasol?

Absolutely. The fabric on all of our parasols has been rated UPF50+ by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Protection Authority.

The unique, tightly woven fabric is enhanced with a sun blocker to provide UPF50+ protection, helping you stay cooler and protect your skin at the same time.

Are sun parasols better than a hat?

Parasols provide the perfect solution for short term sun protection that doesn't leave you with a longer term inconvenience of hat-hair. Hats can act as an insulator, keeping more of your body heat trapped. Parasols provide comfortably cool shade for your face and your shoulders.

What about the wind?

A high quality mechanism and fibreglass ribs, for a durable and long lasting sun umbrella ensures that our parasols cope with windy weather better than the average umbrella.

Wind vent built into the canopy, to allow any breeze to dissipate ensuring that your sun umbrella will not invert.

Are sun parasols comfortable to hold?

The teardrop shaped wooden handle allows for a comfortable grip. They are lightweight too, weighing just 250-320 grams (depending on the style) making them comfortable to hold for any length of time.
Plus your parasol comes with a matching carry bag, to protect the sun umbrella and make it easy to carry when not in use.

How big are they?

The parasols are perfectly sized - slightly smaller than a rain umbrella, it's smaller size makes it sleek and unobtrusive in a crowd. The smaller diameter works well in more crowded situations, so that you're not hitting people in the head or jabbing eyes.

Canopy Diameter:

All Seasons range = 85cm.

Stick-style Cosmopolitan = 85cm.

Compact Cosmopolitan = 100cm

I already have a rain umbrella, can’t I just use that?

A standard rain umbrella, made from regular black pongee fabric has a UPF rating of just UPF15. Your uv umbrella / uv parasol should specify on the tag that it has a UPF50+ rating to ensure that the maximum % of UV rays are blocked.