The 12′ circular Coolaroo Cantilever Umbrella is designed to keep you protected from the harsh hot rays of the summer sun in style. This large offset umbrella [Amazon] is built with an aluminum frame and a knitted HDPE polyethylene fabric, which makes it perfect for lazing out in the summer heat. It is available in two colors, Mocha and Terra Cotta, and will certainly look great in virtually any outdoor environment. With its 12’ diameter, this umbrella provides more than enough coverage for all but the largest tables or outdoor living arrangements, but at what cost?
This review looks closely at both the good and bad points of the Coolaroo 12’ Cantilever Umbrella and considers how it measures up against others on the market. To conclude, we will give our verdict on this umbrella.
Coolaroo Cantilever Umbrella 12′ Review
In this review, we will look closely at the most important features of the Coolaroo Cantilever Umbrella, its aesthetics, functionality, ease of assembly, build quality, and maintenance. As with all offset umbrellas, you will need to have a plan to properly weight down your umbrella or it will fall over and break, and possibly hurt someone. See below for more information.
Finally, we will put it all together to conclude whether or not this is a good purchase.
Key Features at a Glance
- Durable Powder coated steel base
- Aluminum frame
- Mold and mildew resistant polyethylene canvas material
- Provides coverage up to 100 sq. ft
- Blocks up to 90% of UV rays
- Crank lift mechanism
- 3-year warranty against UV degradation
- Includes cross-base only
Dimensions and Specs
- Size: 1.6” x 144” x 100”
- Cross Base Size: 40″ x 40″
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Canopy size: 12 ft.
The Details
Aesthetics
As far as looks go, the Coolaroo 12’ Cantilever Umbrella is very easy on the eye. It has a simple, modern look that will blend in with just about any setting. The lines are straight and angular on this cantilever umbrella, and there are none of the awkward curves that are frequently found on some of the smaller cantilever umbrellas. It feels well designed and elegant.
Weighting Down The Coolaroo 12′ Cantilever Umbrella
The most important aspect of purchasing a cantilever umbrella is planning to properly support your umbrella. Most all umbrellas in this price range come with a cross base (an X-shaped metal base), which is designed to bolt to a concrete patio, wood deck, or patio blocks.
If you do not want to do this, be sure to purchase a cantilever umbrella base. For more information on weighting your umbrella, see our guide here.
If you don’t weight down your umbrella properly, it will probably fall over and break in a wind storm. Coolaroo does not sell replacement parts if something does break. So beware, and plan your weighting strategy from the get-go.
Functionality
If the sun is shining and the weather is good, this umbrella works really well. Its large 12’ diameter is plenty big enough to keep the sun out. The umbrella tilts in one angle and does rotate.
The canvas is well made, though it does have a more plastic-y feel than some of the other acrylic and polyester canvases out there (see our article on outdoor fabrics for more information), and warranted to be UV protected for 3 years.
That’s very nice! It is not, however, waterproof, so don’t plan on sitting outside if there’s a lot of rain.
Material and Build Quality
This Coolaroo umbrella has an aluminum frame that is strong, light, and should not rust quickly. The cross base is made of steel for extra strength and weight, though as we have said, depending on how your secure the umbrella, this may or may not be sufficient to support the umbrella.
The canopy itself is made from a strong, mold and mildew resistant polyethylene material that very easy to clean and blocks out around 90% of all harmful UV rays. It does, however, get dirty, and will fade over time.
We suggest covering your cantilever umbrella when not in use, as a good cover will keep the umbrella in great shape for a lot longer than if you just leave it out to fade in the sun.
Assembly
Assembly is pretty straightforward but because of the size of it, it’s best to be done with two people. For some guidance on assembly follow these instructions. Users should be able to get the umbrella up and positioned in about an hour. It’s best to set it up in the approximate location where it will be, as once it’s assembled, it’s big, and not easy to move!
Cleaning and Maintenance
To clean the umbrella you need nothing more than a little mild soap water. Its aluminum frame is rust-free, so there are no worries about causing any damage to it while cleaning. Just make sure you rinse it thoroughly to avoid any stubborn suds sticking to the canopy and staining the material.
Accessories
As mentioned earlier, you will need the appropriate base for this umbrella, depending on the environment it will be in. Additionally, you should consider investing in an umbrella cover to keep your umbrella going for as long as possible.
The Bottom Line
The thing about the Coolaroo 12’ Cantilever Umbrella is that it looks great at first glance, and appears to be everything you could want out of an umbrella.
But, when you look at the hefty price tag and then take a closer look at what you’re actually getting for your money, it’s a little disappointing. The canvas is not the highest quality out there, though it is quite big.
The frame is made of aluminum, which is nice, but the only base supplied is the cross base, so many buyers will need to come up with an additional solution to support their umbrella.
The Coolaroo Cantilever Umbrella is certainly not a bad umbrella, and Coolaroo is a good brand in the outdoor products area, but there are probably a lot better things for you to spend your hard earned cash on.
Compared to the 11′ Abba Patio Cantilever Umbrella [Amazon], our favorite all around offset umbrella, the Coolaroo is more expensive for a slightly larger canvas, and is overall a less appealing product.
- Durable Aluminum Frame: Made from sturdy aluminum for long-lasting use.
- Spread-Out Canopy: Large 10 inch diameter provides ample shade.
- Quick Crank Lift: Efficient crank lift system allows for easy opening.
- 90% UV Block: Blocks 90% of harmful UV rays to protect skin.
- Terracotta Finish: Aesthetic terracotta color complements outdoor decor.
Last update on 2024-07-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Coolaroo umbrella has a stamp on it that says made for life. The umbrella completely rusted. All bolts and metal rotted away. The legs rusted and fell apart. The only thing that remains is the fabric portion. The unit is less than two years old. So much for “made for life”.