A cast iron umbrella stand is a firm favorite with shoppers. They like the fact that they are sturdy, weather resistant and they also can look very pretty.

What is the difference between a cast iron umbrella stand and one made from wrought iron?

It is easy to get confused with all the terminology used to describe iron furniture pieces for your backyard. A cast iron umbrella stand has been made using a mold whereas traditionally a wrought iron piece would have been made by a metal worker who crafted the piece together. When the wrought iron is heated slowly the impurities in the metal are hammered out of the piece by the metal worker. This leaves behind a mixture that is very pure in content. This leads to a very strong metal which is extremely resistant to rust and corrosion.

When making cast iron, the iron is heated a lot quicker and impurities are not removed by hammering. The resulting metal is cheaper as it takes a lot less time and skill to produce. But as it is not pure iron it is much more likely to rust and corrode in wet weather and so must be properly treated to prevent this happening.

Before you put your cast iron umbrella stand into your garden you need to check that it has been prepared for use outside. Don’t just assume it has been treated. If you read the instructions you may find that you are advised to paint the base with some rust resistant paint. Even if they have been treated anti rust chemicals only last for four or five years. You need to recover the piece every so often to keep it in great condition.

Is a wrought iron umbrella stand more expensive?

A wrought iron umbrella stand is usually more expensive than a cast iron one although it is possible to find the former in yard sales and at second hand stores. So long as the piece is not broken it is relatively easy to return a rusty and neglected iron umbrella stand to its former glory.

An antique cast iron umbrella stand will usually have very intricate detailing and so will look very attractive. Be careful to paint this piece very carefully as the delicate carving can mean that there are several spots vulnerable to rust attack. Some people will paint them black as a black umbrella stand tends to blend in well into any garden.

The cast iron umbrella base will come in a couple of different styles. Some will have to be attached to the ground using bolts in particular those supporting a permanent patio umbrella. Before you pick this option remember that the base is going to weigh about 75lbs at least so you won’t be able to move that around the garden easily. Choose the spot you want to locate it in with care. If you are using a parasol with a patio table you can find stands that fix to the table. You need to pick a base that supports the type of patio umbrella you have chosen. A larger parasol usually requires a sturdier base to keep it upright when the wind is blowing.

A cast iron base can come in a number of shapes. The most traditional is the round one but some people prefer to buy a square cast iron umbrella stand. You can also find ones decorated as sunflowers or those modeled on Chinese designs. For an Italian influence you can choose a Tuscany design. It really comes down to a personal choice. If you decide that you don’t like cast iron umbrella stands you may prefer to buy a brass umbrella stand or just plain wood.

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Filed under: Cast Iron Umbrella Stand • Iron Umbrella Stand • Outdoor Furniture Umbrella

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