Patio table bases

The part under the top that does the work. 13 bases here, most of them listed for patio use, in black steel, silver or gold stainless steel and cast iron, at standard or bar height. Choose the height first, the foot that fits your top second, and last the finish the street will see.

Two heights, three feet

Standard bases stand 28 to 29 inches and bar bases 40 1/2 to 41. The round steel table and umbrella base spreads 17, 22 or 30 inches at the foot. The stainless round base, in silver or gold, offers 17, 22 or 28. The black cast iron umbrella table base spreads 20 by 20, 20 by 30 or 18 by 38 inches for squares and long tops, takes an umbrella pole holder as an option, and comes in titanium gray as well.

Size the foot to the top. Two thirds of a round top's width is the smallest spread that keeps it steady, so a 36-inch round wants 24 inches and skips the 22.

Weight against the wind

Each base lists its weight, most of them by foot size. At standard height the steel round runs 27 to 46 pounds, the stainless round 30 to 69 and the cast iron base 48 to 84, while the four-prong cast iron base weighs 34. Bar versions weigh more, up to 88 pounds for the cast iron. On a rooftop, take the heavier foot. On a sidewalk that clears at midnight, weigh the carry too.

Two bases carry an indoor usage line, a chrome bar base and a bolt-down base. Keep those under a roof.

Base by base

Our guide to the outdoor table base runs the two-thirds rule on real tops, and freestanding umbrella bases for the spot beside the table sit in patio umbrellas. Then give each base and its top separate lines in an outdoor plan.