We bought 10-11 of these umbrellas...we have huge three layered decks and wanted to be able to protect ourselves from sun..which we do by placing them close to  each other...it works great !!! We have had some for two years and others just for this summer. They all go very well together...We live on Cape Cod and soon will leave in November for Florida...we will buy a couple more for the lanai there...It is the perfect umbrella for us...