The umbrella gives GREAT shade! We out it on a roof top deck that had all day direct sun…works perfectly to give shade to enjoy the outdoor space. It hangs nicely over our rooftop deck. I have found that it works best if I dont tighten it so that it has a bit of a bounce and can sway with a breeze. We did put several bags of sand in the bottom to keep it from moving but its a beautiful addition to our rooftop.