How do we install the umbrellas?
How do we install the umbrellas? What is in the box - Every umbrella ships with the canopy, the pole, the ribs, the base fixing kit and a printed assembly guide. A QR code on the guide links to a step-by-step video.How long it takes - Centre-pole models take around 20 minutes with two people. Cantilever models take around 30 minutes, because the offset arm and the ballast need setting first. Only basic tools are needed - a spanner and a hex key, both included in the kit.Before you start - Check the ground is level and the base is rated for the canopy size. Leave clearance around the umbrella so it can open and rotate freely. Use two people, always - never raise a cantilever arm on your own. SurfaceRecommended fixingNotesConcrete / solid pavingBolt-down base plate with expansion anchorsMost stable; standard for restaurant and hotel terraces Timber decking Through-fix plate bolted into the joists, or weighted plate if drilling not allowed Never put a light base on decking - wind will tip it Grass / open ground Through-fix plate bolted into the joists, or weighted plate if drilling not allowed Balcony / rooftop Weighted plates only, sized to the umbrella and the wind load We calculate the required weight for your site Windy / coastal sites Heavier ballast plus reinforced ribs; close when unattended On exposed sites, close the umbrella whenever the venue is empty - A: For larger projects - We supply the assembly guide in your own language, and for project orders we can run a video walkthrough with your installation team before the shipment arrives. Tell us the model and we will send the assembly guide and video before you order, so you can plan the install day. - B: Choose the base to match your surface - The fixing method depends on your ground and how exposed the site is. See our Base and Surface FAQ for the full breakdown, then tell us the surface, the model and the wind exposure and we will specify the exact base and anchor kit.