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At François, we like to spend time with our customers to explain the different materials offered on our umbrellas and also the different models, so that everyone can find an umbrella to suit their needs. On this page, we'll explain the importance of each part that makes up an umbrella, and why François umbrellas are more original and solid than others. A product of excellence made in France, rewarded by the EPV label, renewed in 2025.
An umbrella is made up of 3 main types of material: wood, fabric and metal. To help you choose a quality umbrella, we'll take a look at each component and explain why it's important.
Ribs: for wind resistance
For an umbrella to withstand the wind :it needs flexible, strong ribs that can withstand the strongest winds, even those of the seaside, without twisting or breaking!
In the past (before 1850), umbrella ribs were made from whalebone, a flexible, light, resistant material that could last over time.
Then came steel ribs. High-quality steel can be very strong, but its drawback is that it adds weight to the umbrella and can rust, especially if you don't dry your umbrella open.
Lesser-quality metals are, for example, aluminum, which is light but bends very quickly, or certain metal alloys often found on the ribs or shafts of low-end umbrellas, which will unfortunately bend and break in the slightest gust of wind!
What material should the ribs of a quality umbrella be made from?
If possible, choose a quality umbrella with carbon fiber or fiberglass ribs. These materials are supple, lightweight and cannot twist, which means they're truly flexible: in a strong gust of wind, they'll always snap right back into place!
Above all, it means the umbrella won't turn over and will last over time. At François, we use carbon fiber ribs on all our straight umbrellas and fiberglass and steel ribs on all our folding umbrellas.
In France, François is the only umbrella manufacturer to offer carbon fiber ribs on all its straight umbrellas. A forerunner in this field, we realized some twenty years ago that carbon fiber has nothing but advantages over steel.
To enhance the strength of our umbrellas, we have specially developed a ribs composed entirely of carbon fiber (on the top and bottom), which provides even greater strength than umbrellas available elsewhere. This process is only possible on manually-opening umbrellas, and is only available at François umbrella factory.
Fabric: protection from the elements
At François, we offer 3 types of fabric: polyester, polyamide and cotton. Which to choose? The difference between the 3 types of fabric will be mainly aesthetic, as each material offers a different weave, but with the same quality, strength and waterproofing.
Polyamide: for its beauty and incomparable jacquard weave
Polyamide is used to produce yarn-woven (rather than sublimation-printed) patterns. In umbrellas found all over the world, 99.9% of the patterns are printed. But at François, you'll find jacquard-woven patterns that are far more original and, above all, more elegant and unique than anywhere else! Most of the time, jacquard patterns are found on suits and ties, but also in furnishings, such as beautiful tablecloths and even some tapestries. But on an umbrella, it makes it even more beautiful and can accompany an outfit or a style - a true fashion accessory!
Polyester in taffeta weave: for its flexibility and variety of colors
Polyester fabric offers a much wider choice of colors and patterns than cotton. It's a fabric with which we offer colorful printed umbrellas o brighten up rainy days, but also a variety of original colors, such as iron blue which is a change navy blue and can suit both men and women.
The other special feature of the polyester taffeta we use is its weaving process, which is different from that of a more “classic” polyester: it produces light, strong and durable weaves, thanks to its many interwoven threads.
It generally has a satiny feel and an iridescent appearance, enabling it to reflect light and create a real play of colors. It is supple and can be used to add volume and drape.
100% cotton for rain and sun:
Our 100% cotton fabric will be as waterproof as our polyester or polyamide fabrics, with the added advantage that its nature and tight twill weave will filter UV rays, so it can be used as both an umbrella and a sunshade! Some of our straight umbrellas are made of cotton, as are the sunshade and the shepherd umbrella.
Wood: for strength and aesthetics
A quality umbrella can be recognized by its appearance, but above all by the quality of its frames, which will enable it to last over time and withstand the elements. The central part of the umbrella, the shaft, must also be able to withstand strong winds (like the ribs). A metal shaft is to be avoided at all costs, as it will be hollow, will eventually bend and will not add any charm to the umbrella, unlike a beautiful wooden shaft (beech, chestnut, hazelnut, etc.), which will not only add strength and solidity to the umbrella.
The handle s also important. Not only does it add the finishing touch to the umbrella, but it's also the handle that allows the umbrella to be touched and carried. It must therefore be pleasant to the touch and resistant, as it is the handle that bears the weight of the umbrella. A low-end umbrella will often have a plastic or metal handle, which won't be very strong, won't be pleasant to the hand and will always deteriorate over time, unlike wood, which can last for many years, even the whole life of the umbrella.
At François, we like to use wood with our beech mats and maple handles, whether folding or straight, but also on the english umbrella which represents luxury and is a rare product. Only a few manufacturers have the know-how, and it's almost impossible to find in France. Our customers can choose their wood, and fabric, and we manufacture to order, adapting the umbrella to the height of the person using it (like a walking stick or a makila). The special feature of the English assembly is that it is made from a single piece of wood, like a walking stick. The wood is bent and turned in the same piece, making this umbrella even more unique than the others.
Only one of our umbrellas has wooden ribs,
the Sheperd's umbrella.
We've been making this umbrella in the traditional way in our family for over a century. We're always asked if the whale is made of reed or bamboo? Technically, reed and bamboo wouldn't be flexible enough, and especially not strong enough, because they're hollow.
We use a very specific variety of rattan that makes the whalebone both flexible and strong. This variety comes from Malaysia and is called Loonty Koboo. Although there are a multitude of rattan varieties, and after trying out several, Loonty Koboo is the best compromise for making the ribs for shepherd umbrella.
Metal parts: indispensable for certain parts
At François, even though we're committed to using wood, carbon fiber and fiberglass instead of metal as much as possible, certain metal parts of the umbrella are still mandatory. For example, the tips that attach to the end of the ribs are made of metal (whereas poor-quality umbrellas are made of plastic). Certain sections of the ribs on folding umbrellas are also made of high-grade, high-strength steel, as are the intersections of the carbon-fiber ribs, which are made of extremely strong, stainless steel. The snap fastener on the closing braid is made of steel and brass, and some umbrella tips (such as English umbrellas and large umbrellas) are made of brass. The runner and notch of the English umbrellas and the Sheperd's umbrella which are traditional products of our company, are also made of brass.
There are a multitude of different metals, but in an umbrella the only metals that can withstand the elements are steel (quality) and brass. Aluminum, apart from making an umbrella lighter, won't provide any resistance, will bend in the slightest gust of wind and won't make your umbrella last over time.
Conclusion: choose an umbrella with good materials that can be repaired
Now that you know every important part of an umbrella, you'll be able to tell if it's a quality umbrella that will last the test of time. At François, we've been constantly improving our manufacturing processes and materials since 1882, while preserving 5 generations of traditional know-how. A quality umbrella is all the more durable if it can be repaired, and as we like to keep these beautiful objects alive, we can, if possible repair or restore your umbrella or parasol to give it a second life. In France, this activity is very rare, and there are only 3 craftsmen capable of repairing or restoring these objects.
Our umbrellas Our umbrellas are, of course, fully repairable and come with a warranty in the event of a problem. All parts are interchangeable, and every part can be repaired, right down to the canvas, which after 15 or 20 years can start to show signs of wear and tear. We sometimes repair or restore umbrellas made by our grandparents to give them a new lease of life. A repair always costs less than a new umbrella, and can extend the life of the umbrella for many years to come.