Hampton Bay Cantilever Umbrella

When it comes to shading your outdoor living space, nothing beats a good patio umbrella. But let’s face it – those typical center pole umbrellas take up valuable real estate on your deck or patio. That’s why I started looking into cantilever umbrellas as an alternative. With their unique offset design, cantilever umbrellas provide shade without a bulky base getting in the way. And after doing my research, the Hampton Bay cantilever umbrella really stood out for its features, quality and value.

So if you’re in the market for a new cantilever patio umbrella, read on for my complete buying guide to the Hampton Bay model. I’ll tell you everything you need to know – where to buy it, available sizes and colors, key features, assembly and maintenance tips, pros vs cons, and more!

What Exactly is a Cantilever Umbrella?

First things first – what distinguishes a cantilever umbrella from a standard patio umbrella?

While a normal umbrella has a central pole that comes straight down through the middle of the table, a cantilever umbrella has an offset arm that connects to a heavy base beside or behind the patio furniture.

This allows the canopy to extend out over the table, completely free of a central post. The open space and unobstructed views make cantilever umbrellas a great choice for conversational seating areas. Plus, you don’t have to worry about bumping into a pole when getting in and out of your chair.

Most cantilever umbrellas also allow you to easily adjust the tilt and rotation of the canopy as the sun moves, providing targeted shade coverage all day long.

Why Choose Hampton Bay?

There are certainly other cantilever umbrella brands out there – Treasure Garden, California Umbrella, Abba Patio and more. But I kept coming back to the Hampton Bay line, sold exclusively at Home Depot.

Here’s why I think Hampton Bay is a top contender:

• Budget-friendly prices – cheaper than most other major brands
• Wide range of sizes from 7.5 to 13 feet
• Lots of colors and patterns – solids, stripes, florals and more
• Weather-resistant construction stands up to wind and rain
• 1-year warranty included on defects
• Easy to assemble out of the box
• Smooth crank lift mechanism for opening and tilting
• 360 degree rotation feature

For the price, I was really impressed with the functionality and convenience offered by the Hampton Bay cantilever umbrellas. It seems like a great value compared to the more expensive designer brands.

Where to Buy a Hampton Bay Cantilever Umbrella

Hampton Bay umbrellas are sold exclusively at Home Depot stores and on their website.

I found that the selection was much greater online. The Home Depot website offers the full product line, including all sizes, colors and extra accessories.

Your local Home Depot store may only carry one or two models in their garden section. But you can order any Hampton Bay umbrella on their site and have it shipped to your house or available for in-store pickup.

Buying online also makes it easy to find discounts and save with online promo codes. Home Depot often runs sales on patio furniture and backyard items during peak summer seasons.

What Sizes Are Available?

One of the nice things about Hampton Bay is that they offer cantilever umbrellas in a range of sizes to accommodate all table and seating configurations:

• 7.5 foot canopy – covers smaller bistro sets
• 9 foot canopy – ideal for 4-6 seat tables
• 10 foot canopy – provides ample coverage for 6+ seats
• 11 foot canopy – extra large shade for big gatherings
• 13 foot canopy – their largest model, offers expansive shade

They also make a rectangular 8 foot by 10 foot cantilever umbrella that can shade elongated tables.

I measured out my deck space and determined that a 10 foot diameter umbrella would be perfect for shading my 6-person outdoor dining table with a little extra room on all sides.

Make sure to measure your own seating area before ordering so you get the ideal coverage. Too small and the shade won’t be sufficient. Too large can feel overbearing and crowded on your deck or patio.

Available Colors and Patterns

Another great thing about Hampton Bay is the wide variety of colors and striped patterns to choose from.

Whether your style is modern, coastal, farmhouse or traditional, you’ll find a canvas that complements your outdoor furniture and decor.

Some of the most popular solid colors include:

• Beige
• Black
• Forest Green
• Navy Blue
• Red
• White

If you want something more vibrant, there are fun stripes in combinations like:

• Blue, Lime and White
• Red, Orange and Lime Green
• Navy Blue and White
• Beige and Brown

I opted for the classic navy and white stripes to tie in the blue and white cushions on my existing outdoor sofa and chairs.

There are also a few floral print umbrellas with watercolor-like patterns in shades of blue, coral and gray.

Basically, you have plenty of options to select the perfect shade of Hampton Bay cantilever umbrella for your space.

How to Assemble a Hampton Bay Cantilever Umbrella

Once I had my new umbrella delivered, it was time for assembly.

The parts came packed neatly in two long boxes – one for the dome canopy itself and one for the horizontal support arm and vertical aluminum pole.

Thankfully, Hampton Bay cantilever umbrellas are designed to be easy to assemble at home. The instructions were straightforward and no special tools were required.

Here is the basic assembly process I followed:

1. Lay out all parts and hardware bags. Make sure you have all the components before starting.
2. Attach the support ribs within the canopy. These extend like spokes from the center hub and give the dome shape when opened.
3. Slide the top hub cover over the center pole of the canopy.
4. Attach the support arm to the vertical pole using provided bolts. Make sure bolts are tightened securely.
5. Slide the canopy over the support arm, aligning the holes. Insert bolts through the holes to attach the canopy to the arm. Tighten all bolts.
6. Insert the lower end of the vertical pole into the base. This may require two people to lift and steady the umbrella.
7. Adjust the tilt and rotation settings as needed.
8. Carefully open the umbrella using the crank handle to lift the canopy.

That’s really all there was to it. No complicated steps. With just basic tools like a Phillips head screwdriver and adjustable wrench, I had my new umbrella fully constructed in about 30 minutes.

Available Base Options

The cantilever support arm needs a heavy base to keep the umbrella anchored in place. Hampton Bay offers two choices of bases:

• Cross Base – This square X-shaped base can be positioned flush against a wall, allowing the umbrella to extend out perpendicular. The cross foot design provides stability but takes up less space.
• Rolling Base – For easy mobility, this rounded rectangular base has built-in wheels so you can roll the umbrella out of the way when not in use. The low profile shape can also be used away from walls.

I chose the rolling base for my umbrella so I can easily move it aside to access my storage shed. The wheels make a single person “relocation” effortless.

Some key things to keep in mind about the base options:

• They are sold separately from the umbrella itself so make sure to order one!
• Assembly is quick – just drop the pole into the opening.
• The cross base weighs 70 lbs and rolling is 93 lbs to keep the umbrella anchored.
• You may want to place your base on a paver stone or concrete pad for stability.

Make sure your base is on a level surface and check it each year to ensure it remains securely weighted for wind resistance.

How Does the Cantilever Arm Adjust?

One of the handiest features of the Hampton Bay umbrella is how you can easily adjust both the tilt and rotation of the canopy.

Using the crank handle, you can tilt the arm at various angles up to 45 degrees. This allows you to position the shade exactly where you need it as the sun moves throughout the day.

The umbrella dome is attached to the support arm via a rotating collar. This collar turns a full 360 degrees so you can swing the canopy side to side for more directional shade control.

Being able to optimize both tilt and rotation is a great advantage over the static positions of traditional pole umbrellas. No more moving your whole table and chairs to stay in the shade!

Opening and Closing the Canopy

Raising and lowering the umbrella canopy is a cinch with the hand-crank lift mechanism.

Simply turn the crank in a clockwise motion to open the canopy up into place. To close, turn the crank counter-clockwise which lowers the dome down.

The crank handle conveniently folds down out of the way when not in use. This makes it easy to open and close the umbrella without any awkward handle getting in the way.

I really appreciate how seamless it is to operate the umbrella canopy. No manual pushing up like a standard pole umbrella. Just turn the crank and you can easily raise or lower the canopy in less than a minute.

What About Weather Resistance?

No patio umbrella can be considered weatherproof. But Hampton Bay umbrellas do seem to stand up well to normal outdoor conditions.

The powder-coated aluminum frame is corrosion resistant so it can hold up to moist or salty sea air without rusting.

The polyester canopy fabric is also treated to be water and fade resistant. I’ve left my umbrella open in a few surprise rain showers and the fabric beads up nicely to repel water rather than soaking through immediately.

Of course, I try not to leave it out in heavy storms or high wind situations. But for average rainfall and winds, it continues looking great after a quick wipe down.

Keeping Things Clean and Maintained

Speaking of care and cleaning, here are my tips for keeping a Hampton Bay cantilever umbrella looking its best:

• Use a soft brush to remove loose dirt from the canopy and frame.
• Hose down the fabric to wash away any stuck-on debris. Let it air dry before closing.
• For fabric stains, spot clean with a mild soap and water solution.
• To prevent mold or mildew buildup, leave the canopy open to dry after wet weather before closing it up.
• Apply a UV protectant spray each season to guard against sun damage.
• Use a protective cover when the umbrella is not in use for extended periods.
• Tighten bolts and inspect connections each spring to ensure everything remains secure.
• Check that the base remains weighted down properly so it won’t shift or blow over.

With just a little yearly maintenance, a Hampton Bay umbrella should last for 5-8 years or more!

Adding Side Panels for Extra Privacy

Want to take your shade experience up a notch? Hampton Bay also offers removable side panels as an optional add-on accessory.

These 86-inch tall polyester panels easily attach to the corners of the canopy frame with hook & loop fasteners. The full-length panels come in colors and stripes that coordinate with the umbrellas.

Adding the side panels is a great way to provide:

• Extra privacy for intimate dining or conversations
• Visual screening from neighbors
• Shelter from oblique sun angles in the early evening
• A cozy, secluded feel under the canopy

The set of 4 side panels costs around $70-100 depending on size. While not a necessity, they are a nice optional upgrade depending on your needs.

And you can always remove them when you want an open, airy experience on less windy days. Definitely a versatile accessory to consider.

Comparing Hampton Bay vs Other Brands

How does the Hampton Bay hold up against some of the other major cantilever umbrella manufacturers out there?

Here is a quick brand comparison of pros and cons:

• Treasure Garden – Known for excellent quality and durability. But very expensive.
• California Umbrella – Has lots of innovative features and larger size options. Also pricey.
• Abba Patio – Affordable like Hampton Bay but mixed reviews on longevity.
• Sorbus – Budget-friendly but quality seems inconsistent between umbrellas.
• Hampton Bay – Provides solid quality and performance for the very reasonable price point. Excellent value overall.

While I seriously considered splurging on a Treasure Garden, I just couldn’t justify spending $700+ more for their equivalent model. For my needs, the Hampton Bay provided the ideal combination of form, function, and value. But it’s useful to look around and make your own comparisons.

Finding Replacement Parts

Over time, some parts like fabric canopies and hardware pieces may need to be replaced. The good news is that common replacement parts are available right through Hampton Bay.

On their website, you can find replacement canopies, crank lifts, support ribs, bottom pole sections, and hardware.

Just search for your specific umbrella model number to find compatible parts. Having these spare parts readily available gives me peace of mind that fixing any future issues will be quick and easy.

Final Thoughts on My Cantilever Umbrella Experience

I’ll wrap up this umbrella buying guide by saying I have been 100% satisfied with my Hampton Bay cantilever umbrella so far. For a very reasonable price, I now have gorgeous shade coverage and an uninterrupted view of my patio.

The assembly was quick and painless. Operation is smooth and effortless with the adjustable tilt and rotating canopy. And it has held up nicely to the elements in my area.

I also love being able to roll the umbrella back out of the way when we want full access to the deck. No more tripping over a center pole!

While there are certainly higher-end cantilever options out there, I think Hampton Bay offers outstanding quality and performance for the price. And I never have to worry about breaking the bank just to enjoy cool shade on hot summer days.

So if you’ve been considering a cantilever upgrade for your own patio, I definitely recommend Hampton Bay as an excellent choice to consider. Let me know if you have any other questions – I’m happy to share my buying and ownership experience!