Pisa & Sicily Cantilever Parasols: Canopies Tested for Serious Sun Protection

When you invest in a garden parasol, creating shade is only part of the story. During the height of summer, the quality of the canopy and the level of protection it provides against the sun’s ultraviolet rays are just as important.

That’s why our Pisa and Sicily Cantilever Parasols combine stylish outdoor living with canopies that have been tested for UV protection. With UPF 50+ rated canopies, flexible positioning and generous areas of shade, these premium cantilever parasols are designed to help you enjoy your garden more comfortably throughout sunny days.

What Does UPF 50+ Mean for a Parasol Canopy?

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is used to indicate how effectively a fabric helps protect against ultraviolet radiation.

Our Pisa and Sicily parasol canopies conform to the UPF 40+ requirement by achieving a UPF 50+ rating, with UV test reports available through the relevant product descriptions.

For customers, this provides valuable reassurance when choosing a parasol for a patio, outdoor dining area or garden seating space. Rather than simply creating visible shade, the canopy fabric has been selected and tested with sun protection in mind.

Meet the Pisa Cantilever Parasol

The Pisa Cantilever Parasol brings together practical sun protection and an attractive wood-effect finish.

Its powder-coated aluminium frame provides the appearance of timber while retaining the strength and low-maintenance qualities of aluminium. This makes the Pisa particularly well suited to teak garden furniture, natural materials and outdoor spaces where a warmer, traditional appearance is preferred.

Depending on the model, Pisa parasols are available in round, square and large rectangular canopy configurations, giving you plenty of scope to create shade over anything from a lounge set to a substantial outdoor dining table.

Most importantly for sunny days, Pisa canopies provide UPF 50+ sun protection.

Follow the Sun Without Moving Your Furniture

One of the major advantages of a cantilever parasol is its flexibility.

Unlike a traditional centre-pole parasol, the supporting pole sits to one side. This allows the canopy to extend over a dining table, corner sofa or lounge area without placing a pole directly through the middle of your furniture.

The Pisa features 360-degree rotation, allowing the canopy to be repositioned as the sun travels across the garden. Adjustable tilt functionality provides even greater control, particularly when dealing with lower morning or afternoon sun.

Instead of repeatedly moving your chairs and tables to stay in the shade, you can adjust the parasol.

Discover the Sicily Cantilever Parasol

For gardens with a more contemporary style, the Sicily Cantilever Parasol provides many of the same practical benefits with a distinctly modern appearance.

Sicily models feature an anthracite aluminium frame combined with a choice of contemporary canopy colours. Depending on the particular model, options include shades such as Navy Blue, Beige, Dark Green, Grey and Aqua Blue.

Like the Pisa, the Sicily range features UPF 50+ canopy protection, together with smooth 360-degree rotation and adjustable tilt positions.

This makes the Sicily a particularly versatile choice for modern patios, terraces, outdoor kitchens, dining areas and lounge spaces.

Sun Protection That Moves With You

The position of the sun can change dramatically during a day in the garden.

A dining table that is comfortably shaded at lunchtime might be exposed to low-angle sunlight later in the afternoon. This is where the combination of a high-protection canopy and an adjustable cantilever mechanism becomes particularly useful.

Both the Pisa and Sicily collections allow you to rotate and tilt the canopy, helping you reposition the shade as conditions change.

The result is a more adaptable outdoor space that can be enjoyed from morning through to evening.

UPF 50+ Protection With Plenty of Style

Practical protection doesn't mean compromising on the appearance of your garden.

The Pisa offers a distinctive wood-effect aluminium frame, making it a natural partner for teak and other warm-toned garden furniture.

The Sicily takes a more architectural approach, with its anthracite frame and contemporary canopy colours complementing modern metal, rattan and mixed-material furniture.

Both provide the freedom of a side-post cantilever design, leaving the space underneath the canopy much more open and usable than with a conventional centre-pole parasol.

Solar-Powered LED Lighting After Sunset

The Pisa and Sicily ranges aren't only designed for the brightest part of the day.

Both collections feature integrated solar-powered LED lighting built into the canopy ribs. During the evening, the lighting creates subtle illumination beneath the parasol without requiring cables or an electrical connection.

So, after a day of providing UPF 50+ shade, your parasol can continue to form the centrepiece of your outdoor entertaining area as the sun goes down.

Built for Outdoor Living

Alongside their sun-protection credentials, Pisa and Sicily parasols are designed with everyday outdoor use in mind.

Their aluminium construction provides a strong yet relatively low-maintenance framework, while the canopy fabrics are designed to be shower-resistant and water-repellent. They aren't intended to provide waterproof shelter during prolonged rain, however, so the parasol should be treated primarily as a shade solution.

Protective weather covers are also included with Pisa and Sicily parasols to help protect them when they're not being used.

A suitably weighted base is essential for a cantilever parasol. Pisa and Sicily models require an appropriate base, available separately, to provide the necessary stability.

What About Wind?

A cantilever parasol has a large canopy, so sensible use in changing weather conditions is essential.

Garden Furniture Centre states that cantilever parasols within its range have been wind tested up to 90 km/h, although customers are still advised to close the canopy during strong winds and adverse weather.

Correct weighting, careful positioning and closing the canopy when conditions deteriorate are important parts of safely enjoying any large cantilever parasol.

Pisa or Sicily – Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between the two ranges largely comes down to the style of your outdoor space.

Choose Pisa if you love the warmth and appearance of wood and want a parasol that pairs particularly well with teak, rattan and natural garden furniture.

Choose Sicily if you prefer a sharper, contemporary appearance, with an anthracite frame and a wider selection of modern canopy colours.

Whichever style you choose, both collections offer the key features you'd expect from a premium cantilever parasol: UPF 50+ canopy protection, 360-degree rotation, adjustable tilt functionality, solar-powered LED lighting and generous shade without an intrusive central pole.

Enjoy the Sunshine – With Shade Where You Need It

A great parasol should do more than simply look good beside your garden furniture.

By combining tested UPF 50+ canopy protection with flexible cantilever mechanisms, the Pisa and Sicily ranges give you greater control over your shade throughout the day.

From sunny lunches and relaxed afternoons to drinks beneath the integrated LED lights in the evening, they're designed to make your outdoor space more comfortable and usable throughout the summer.

Explore the Pisa and Sicily Cantilever Parasol collection and find the size, shape and style that's right for your outdoor space.