The sun is shining brightly, and sun protection has once again become a hot topic. To avoid getting tanned, choosing a UV-protective umbrella is particularly important. So, how exactly should you choose one?
Silver glue coating is a hard indicator
The key to an umbrella's sun protection lies in its coating. Industry experts explain that umbrellas with a silver glue coating offer better sun protection than those with a pearl glue coating. These two types of coatings are easy to distinguish: the silver glue coating is silver-gray and opaque, while the pearl glue coating appears thinner and shinier.
An umbrella with a deep shadow offers better sun protection
When selecting a UV-protective umbrella, open it and place it on the ground. The darker the shadow and the cooler the interior of the umbrella, the better its sun protection effect.
Lace umbrellas do not offer sun protection
Some umbrellas feature a beautiful layer of lace over a light-colored lining, making them very attractive and popular with many women. However, the sun protection of such umbrellas is very limited. Lace itself has no UV-blocking function, so the sun protection relies solely on the underlying layer of the umbrella. Unfortunately, many of these lace umbrellas use a nylon lining, which is not very effective at blocking UV rays.
The denser the material, the more effective it is
According to staff from the Shandong Provincial Consumer Association, UV-protective umbrellas with tightly woven fabric and dark colors offer better sun protection. Umbrellas made of polyester fiber are also more effective than those made of nylon or cotton. Furthermore, don't assume that a more expensive umbrella offers better sun protection, as the higher cost may be due to better quality ribs, not superior UV-blocking capabilities.
One last reminder: Rain can corrode the UV-protective coating. Therefore, do not use your UV-protective umbrella as a rain umbrella on rainy days.