At the latest when the first warm rays of sunshine can be seen, many gardeners, balcony and terrace owners as well as gastronomy companies go in search of a suitable one parasol, In the meantime, there are many different types in this field, which, depending on the structure, meet the various needs. A special form are so-called Ampelschirme. But what is the special feature here? What types of traffic lights are there? And what should be considered when buying? The following guide deals with these and other questions in detail.

The peculiarity of one sunshade
At a sunshade it is a special form of a parasol. The difference to a classic umbrellaexists in the special construction. The area which is directly under the screen is not disturbed by a screen mast in this type of parasol. At a sunshade namely the screen mast and the base is laterally of the screen surface. In addition, many models have flexible joints so that the glider responds to light wind with maximum freedom of movement. Otherwise, a standpipe is mounted on the foot, which consists of a telescopic pole, so that the screen can be adjusted in height. Depending on the model, there are further adjustment possibilities on this standpipe. For example, the angle of inclination of most traffic lights can be adjusted. Of course there are also controls for opening and closing the screen.

The story of the parasol / sunshade
The history of parasols begins in ancient times, namely in Egypt, China and Persia. Parasols have also been mentioned in ancient Greek texts. Of course, at that time, the parasol did not have much in common with today’s standards. At that time came canopiesor large leaves for protection from the sun. These were often held by slaves. In the 17th century, finally, another form of parasol was developed, which was much smaller and could be practically held in the hand. Until the early 19th century, this small umbrella was a true trendsetter and was worn proudly by every lady out there. This was due in particular to the fact that ladies from a good family should have a noble pallor. It stood for wealth because the working class had brown skin when working outdoors. In Asia, white skin is still a kind of beauty ideal. As a result of this development, other forms of parasols have developed over the years and so have the sunshade ,

Different types of traffic lights
Although all models of different manufacturers have the same design, there are differences in size, material, quality and screen shape. When covering different materials are used. However, these are predominantly polyester, which is water-repellent and offers some UV protection. This can vary depending on the model. The higher the better of course. Another difference is the shape of the shade. So there are Ampelschirme which are round or square. Among the angular models, there are those that form a rectangle, a square in the clamped state up to a 6- or 8-corner. Which form you ultimately choose depends on the one hand on personal taste and on the other by the footprint and how much space this offers. It is also important in this context if several Ampelschirme should be placed next to each other. If this is the case, the quadrangular shape is recommended. There are even models made of wood, these are still very popular in combination with natural materials and colors. Then there are XXL models whose umbrella diameter can have several meters. Thanks to this selection, the right model should be easy to find for everyone. Ampelschirme are available both in the traditional specialist trade on site as for example in the hardware store but also in numerous Internet shops.

The advantages of one sunshade
Of course, the biggest advantage becomes obvious when looking at the construction method. Thanks to the lateral arrangement of the stand, no space is lost under the screen, making it possible to make full use of the shaded space and allowing more space. Another advantage arises from the large variety of products in terms of size selection. So the sunshade can be used almost everywhere, because there are both small and very large models. Not to be forgotten is the ease of use, as it can be easily opened and closed and that without much effort. It is also advantageous that Ampelschirme in many different colors, but mostly plain colors, are offered. So they fit harmoniously into the overall picture on terrace, balcony, garden or in the catering supplies.

What to look for when buying?
When buying a sunshade, not only the design should come first. Especially important are workmanship and quality. After all, you want to have something of your umbrella several summers. We recommend the material polyester in the range, although there may be differences here as well. If you want a model that is durable and robust, you should invest a bit more. High quality models also score with high UV protection. Depending on the model, this can have 30, 40 or even 50 or more. Attention should also be paid to the processing of the frame. Ideal is aluminum, because it is not only light but also stainless. In addition, the joints of the frame are well welded, strong and stable. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the coating, it should have no damage or cracks. The handling is of course always an important criterion. It is therefore ideal if the selected model can be tested directly on site in the shop for its handling. If this is not possible, experience and test reports from other customers on the Internet can be a good help.

Which accessories are important?
What many like to forget when buying a paraglider is the accessories and to what extent this is already included. Depending on which individual requirements one has at his sunshade the demand of the accessories is of course different. But whatever makes sense is the protective cover. If you have to buy these, as they are not included in the delivery, you should always pay attention to the size, as not every shellfits on every screen. The extensive range of accessories also includes different stands, depending on how you want to set up his patio umbrella and LED lamps to provide a romantic light under the umbrella. Thanks to the large range of accessories, the shade can also be extended later.