Motorised Umbrellas in Dubai: Automated Giant Parasols for Restaurants and Hotels

A motorised umbrella opens and closes at the push of a button or a wall switch. On a villa terrace that is a convenience; on a 7 x 7 m restaurant canopy it is the difference between staff fighting a winch at 9 am and the terrace being ready in thirty seconds. Our giant umbrellas, including the Flexy and Flexy XL modular systems, are offered with optional motor operation, and this guide covers what that involves.

Who motorised umbrellas are for

• Restaurants and cafes opening a terrace every day. One switch, no ladders, canopies closed instantly when the wind picks up.

• Hotel pool decks and beach clubs with several giant canopies that staff would otherwise winch one by one.

• Villa terraces where a large canopy over the dining or pool area should disappear in the evening to open up the view.

Sizes and options

Giant umbrella sizes run from 500 x 500 cm up to 700 x 700 cm square and 800 cm diameter. Motor operation is an option on the giant range, along with integrated LED lighting in the ribs and infrared heaters for winter evenings. Modular systems such as the Flexy XL cover very large areas from linked masts with no central obstruction. Every unit is fitted with a custom-made canopy, is manufactured in Italy and carries a 2-year warranty.

What the installation needs

A motorised umbrella is a fixed structure: the mast is anchored to a concrete foundation or mounting plate, and a power supply is run to the base for the motor, lights and heaters. We coordinate the base and conduit position with your contractor before the slab is poured, then install and commission the umbrella. Wind sensors that close the canopy automatically are available on request.

Motorised vs manual

Manual winches are perfectly good on canopies up to about 4 x 4 m and on umbrellas that are opened once a week. Above that size, or where the canopy is opened and closed daily, the motor pays for itself in staff time and in canopies that actually get closed before a storm. If you are weighing a single large canopy against a twin design, our double canopy umbrellas guide explains the trade-off.

Price

Motorised giant umbrellas are quoted per project: size, canopy fabric, motor, lighting, heaters and foundation all affect the figure. See the outdoor umbrella price guide for the rest of the range, or contact us with your terrace dimensions and we will specify and quote. The full range is on our outdoor umbrellas in Dubai page.

Frequently asked questions

Can outdoor umbrellas be motorised in Dubai?

Yes. Our Italian giant umbrellas from 5 x 5 m to 7 x 7 m are available with motor operation, plus optional LED lighting and heaters.

Does a motorised umbrella need electricity at the base?

Yes. A power supply is run through conduit to the mast base for the motor, lights and heaters, which we coordinate with your contractor before the foundation is poured.

Can a motorised umbrella close itself in wind?

Wind sensors that close the canopy automatically are available as an option.

Is a motorised umbrella worth it for a villa?

For a large canopy over a pool or dining terrace that is opened daily, yes. For smaller umbrellas up to 4 x 4 m a manual winch is usually sufficient.

How much does a motorised umbrella cost?

They are quoted per project according to size, canopy, motor, lighting and foundation. Send your terrace dimensions for a quotation.