Coming from Classic Accessories, I knew this would be a high-quality product. I'd previously used...Coming from Classic Accessories, I knew this would be a high-quality product. I'd previously used a CA grill cover, and have found it to be extremely durable after several years of use. I expect nothing less of this beautiful patio umbrella.
Overall, the detailing is just first-rate, with a large solid bamboo finial, and thick support arms, plus a vent at the top to reduce wind gusts. With the rich color of the bamboo, your eye is drawn to the pole - the material looks high quality. It adds so much versus a metal or plastic pole that's just functional, without lending to the aesthetic design.
Just a few things you should know about this product:
(1) This umbrella requires a third-party base, and the pole is 1.5" (38mm) in diameter. The manual recommends a 50lb base for use with a table, or a 75lb base for stand-alone use.
(2) Due to the weight of the bamboo arms, two separate pulley cords are required to hoist the umbrella, and they can become tangled fairly easily (and were wrapped around an arm when I removed the umbrella from the box). I found these cords somewhat unsightly when the umbrella was raised, and there's no good way to secure them to the pole.
(3) When the umbrella is closed, there's no strap included to help keep it wrapped tightly, which would have been a nice touch.
(4) Classic Accessories is based just outside of Seattle, Washington, and I had high hopes that this would be made in the USA, but alas, it's made in China.
In terms of quality, there's nothing to complain about here, but for the price, I think Classic Accessories could have come up with a securing mechanism for the pulley cords when the umbrella is raised, and a securing tie for when it's down. For these reasons, I've knocked off a star on the value rating.
by Termie