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[LonestarBabs]

Our solar screens were not expensive and you can get them in different sizes, even custom. I only have one PhD but I prefer solar screens to Coolaroo for our TX needs. I see Coolaroo roller shades at restaurants, and in homes for use around open porches. Coolaroo shade sails are great for small open areas needing a bit of shade, and of course the Coolaroo dog beds are great!

[Kachina624]

I put do-it-yourself window tint on my Southwest facing bedroom windows and they've made a world of difference.  A big umbrella would be just like a sail in the wind, fence or not.  It would be gone and destroyed.

[151949]

Our 2 bedroom windows face south so they get a lot of sun. during the day we are rarely in there anyway, so we just keep the shutters closed to keep the sun out.

Our lanai is also on the south side of the house but has a large oak on each side and behind which cteats considerable shade out there. It took a few years for the trees to get big , but now they are it's delightful .

[Katcat1]

@Fressa  I think it is a great idea.  As far as wood or aluminum, I would ask the sales assistant.  I would also look around.  Crate & Barrel sells really nice ones & different colors.  Sometimes they are are on sale.  I would also check Pottery Barn to see if they have a sale.  Anyway, shop around and do price comparisons.  Take in consideration the overall construction of the umbrella. Both Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn have a sale on now for all outdoor furniture & umbrellas. 

[JeanLouiseFinch]

I'd be reluctant to use a stand alone umbrella.  Unless you are using the patio umbrella with a heavy table, I'd suggest the alternative blind/shade idea.  Several years ago, I had the umbrella opened during the day.  The umbrella pole went through the center of a wrought iron patio set and the bottom of the pole was in a reasonably heavy wrought iron stand. That afternoon, out of nowhere a storm came up with lots of wind.  At the time, we had deck on the back of the house.  The patio set went sliding across the deck and the opened umbrella was lifted out of the stand, and came sailing toward the garden window over our kitchen sink.  What a mess - broken glass all over the place, inside and out.  With a free standing umbrella, I'd worry about the same kind of thing happening again.  We have since replaced the deck with a Unilock paver patio and the wrought iron patio set with a large, heavy polywood set.  Our umbrella is very secure in the center of the table.  

[BirkiLady]

@JeanLouiseFinch  We had an umbrella (tilt-type) and it was so awkward to use that we seldom bothered. After a couple of seasons, we had a contractor built a permanent, large  slatted (but open) decking over one of our patios. That side of the house overlooks six acres of commons areas to the North; sun isn't a problem . . . rain and snow was! It is our favorite and largest outdoor living space. Makes a world of difference for grilling all year long! 

[GingerPeach]

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@Fressa wrote:

I have an enclosed patio/yard area for our dogs and ourselves. The sun is so strong during the afternoons that it heats up the family room. (I do have shears and a wood blind at one of the windows.) I had this idea to purchase a stand alone patio umbrella and tilt it toward the huge patio door area just to shade it a bit. I thought that the stand would not get in the way of the dogs, etc. Has anyone done this? I've seen all types of umbrellas in all types of shapes and all types of material. Also, which is stronger: a wood pole or alumnium? We do get wind but most of it is blocked by the 6' fence. Most of the umbrellas that I've seen that are stronger fabric are in the 9' width range. I'm wondering if that is too big for just being in a stand. HELP!!!!!

i would appreciate any feedback from your experiences. Thanks in advance for you help and time. 

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@Fressa

I did that last summer with a free-standing umbrella.  I have a relatively sheltered back yard, but I did make it a point to close it if high winds were expected.  Depending on where you are, that may or may not be practical.

Having the open umbrella there (it wasn't a tilt one; just regular) did shade the patio slider from a lot of hot sun.  The umbrella is about 9 feet in diameter.