This umbrella is terrible. We struggled to keep the umbrella attached at its center point, since the cord that opens it seems to loosen as time went on. In this position, the cord frayed because it was exposed to the metal edge of the pipe it goes into. We had a freak gust of wind yesterday and the umbrella tipped over, snapping the cord, bending the top support bracket (which is plastic) and rendering the umbrella unusable after only half of summer.