Is it true that a parasol's UV protection wears off in 2 years? What I found out

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Have you ever heard that you need to replace your parasol every two years?

I've always been curious about this, so I looked into it.
To put it briefly, the answer is "sometimes it's true, and sometimes it's not."
As I researched further, I found some useful information to know when choosing a parasol, so I've summarized it here.

Is it true that UV protection wears off in 2 years?

To put it briefly, it depends on the type of parasol you bought.

There are generally two types of parasols.

1. UV-coated type

This type has a UV-blocking agent applied to the surface of the fabric.
Many parasols on the market are of this type.
As you continue to use it, the coating gradually wears off, so the effectiveness diminishes.
The general guideline of 2 to 3 years refers to this type.

2. UV-material type (Light-blocking parasol)

This type has a polyurethane coating applied to the back of the fabric.
Since the coating itself has a UV-blocking effect, the effect lasts semi-permanently as long as the fabric does not tear.

In other words, the 2-year theory does not apply to all parasols.

Is it the same for both long umbrellas and folding umbrellas?

It's not that "folding umbrellas deteriorate faster," but the same rules apply to both long and folding umbrellas if the fabric type is the same.

However, there is one point.
Because folding umbrellas cause friction on the fabric every time they are opened and closed, it is said that they may deteriorate faster than long umbrellas even with the same processing type.
If you use one every day, it might be good to keep that in mind.

What should I look for when buying?

You don't need to decipher difficult technical terms; checking the back of the fabric is the easiest way.

If the back has a blackish coating, it is likely a material type.
If the product description mentions "polyurethane coating," "laminated processing," or "light-blocking," you can determine that it is a type with long-lasting effects.

On the other hand, if the back has the same texture as the front, it is likely the processing type mentioned in (1).

Lightweight folding umbrellas aren't perfect

Lightweight folding parasols have become very popular recently, haven't they?
They are certainly convenient because they are easy to carry and slip right into your bag.

However, I realized something from talking to my family.

They were using a lightweight folding umbrella, but on a slightly windy day, it flipped inside out, making it useless as a sunshade.
We don't live in a particularly windy area, but when things like this happen, it becomes stressful to use.
In the end, even though it's more to carry, I decided to stick with a long umbrella with a sturdy frame.

It means that in exchange for lightness, the strength of the ribs is often sacrificed.
If you choose based solely on portability, you might fall into this trap.

Summary | How should you choose in the end?

To summarize, it comes down to this.

For those who want to carry it in their bag every day

→ Folding type.
However, be sure to check the number of ribs and wind resistance.

For those who want to maintain UV protection for a long time and be well-protected

→ Lining-coated type (light-blocking umbrella).
Even if it costs a bit more, it's more cost-effective in the long run.

For those who don't mind the bulk but want peace of mind on windy days

→ Long umbrella type.
The FLOATUS long umbrella has a sturdy frame and is made of light-blocking material, so the effect lasts a long time.
▶ See FLOATUS long umbrella on Rakuten
▷ See FLOATUS long umbrella on Amazon

For those who want wind protection even with a folding umbrella

→ The key is to choose by the number of ribs rather than focusing on lightness.
AMVEL TOUGHNESS An 8-rib type like this can withstand wind speeds of 30m/s, and since it's the material type mentioned in (2), it also degrades less.
▶ See AMVEL TOUGHNESS on Rakuten
▷ See AMVEL TOUGHNESS on Amazon

It's easy to choose a parasol based only on design and price, but just by checking the fabric type and rib strength, your way of choosing will change significantly.
Please use this as a reference when choosing your next one.

Click here for FLOATUS on Amazon

Click here for TOUGHNESS on Amazon

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