One of the greatest advantages of a cantilever umbrella is also the reason choosing one can get complicated: there is more going on beneath the surface than you might think.
Unlike a classic center-post umbrella, a cantilever suspends the canopy away from its mast, leaving the space underneath open for dining tables, lounge furniture, poolside seating and other arrangements. That freedom makes cantilevers incredibly versatile—but it also asks more of the umbrella’s structure.
That’s why Frankford offers three distinct cantilever configurations: the Aurora with aluminum ribs, the Aurora with fiberglass ribs (Aurora-F) and the Eclipse®.
At a glance, all three accomplish the same fundamental job. Look closer, however, and differences in rib construction, mast profile, hardware and finishing details make each one better suited to different environments, priorities and budgets.
Here’s how to choose.
First: Aurora vs. Eclipse®
The easiest place to begin is with the fundamental distinction between Frankford’s two cantilever families.
The Aurora was designed as a versatile premium cantilever for both residential and commercial environments. Its comparatively streamlined mast profile and high-impact, UV-stabilized TPU components help deliver Frankford-level performance without some of the heavier architectural elements of the Eclipse.
The Eclipse® takes a more substantial approach. It features a larger, heavier-duty mast profile, larger-gauge aluminum ribs, a solid stainless steel mounting spigot, and dual stabilizer bars as standard. Its crank, controls, finial and other details also incorporate mirror-polished 316 stainless steel, giving the umbrella a more architectural, highly finished appearance.
Those differences naturally make the Eclipse® the more premium investment. But that does not mean every project needs one.
The better question is: What does your space ask of your umbrella?
The Aurora with Aluminum Ribs: The Versatile All-Arounder
For many projects, the aluminum-rib Aurora offers the sweet spot.
Its smaller-profile aluminum ribs provide a rigid, substantial canopy structure while keeping the overall umbrella lighter and more streamlined than the Eclipse®. The aluminum configuration also includes stabilizer bars for additional support.
Visually, the Aurora is intentionally understated. Instead of the polished stainless-steel accents found throughout the Eclipse®, it uses durable matte TPU composite components for details like the crank handle, adjustment controls, mast cap, and finial.
That distinction can matter just as much aesthetically as it does financially.
In a space where the umbrella should complement the furniture and architecture rather than become a prominent design feature itself, the Aurora’s simpler detailing can be an advantage. And because you are not paying for the Eclipse’s® heavier mast, oversized rib architecture, and extensive stainless-steel embellishments, it can make sense for projects that need premium cantilever performance across multiple locations while keeping budget in mind.
Choose the Aurora with aluminum ribs when:
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You want a premium cantilever at a more approachable price point than the Eclipse®.
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You prefer a clean, understated appearance over polished stainless-steel detailing.
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You want the rigidity and familiar feel of an aluminum rib structure.
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You are specifying multiple umbrellas and need to balance performance with overall project budget.
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Your environment calls for a versatile commercial or residential solution rather than Frankford’s heaviest-duty cantilever construction.
The Aurora with Fiberglass Ribs: Built to Flex
Swap the Aurora’s aluminum ribs for fiberglass and the umbrella begins responding to the environment differently.
Aluminum derives much of its strength from rigidity. Fiberglass is a different, more flexible animal.
When sudden gusts put pressure on an umbrella canopy, fiberglass ribs are engineered to bend and deflect some of that force rather than remain completely rigid. Once the gusts subside, the ribs can return to their original position.
That makes the Aurora Fiberglass an especially compelling option in environments where intermittent gusts and changing conditions are part of everyday life.
The fiberglass configuration does not include the rigid stabilizer bars used on the aluminum Aurora. That’s intentional. The flexible rib architecture is designed to respond differently to wind forces rather than simply recreating the behavior of the aluminum system.
Choose the Aurora with fiberglass ribs when:
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Flexibility under intermittent wind loads is a priority.
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You are particularly interested in a rib material that can deflect under sudden gusts.
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The umbrella will live in a wet, humid, or salt-exposed environment where corrosion resistance is valuable.
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You want the Aurora’s streamlined aesthetic and price point with the additional advantages of fiberglass rib construction.
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Long-term resilience matters more than having the rigid feel of an aluminum canopy structure.
The Eclipse®: When the Umbrella Is Part of the Architecture
Then there is the Eclipse®.
The Eclipse® is Frankford’s architectural heavy-duty cantilever, and that difference is apparent before you ever open the canopy.
Its mast has a larger cross-section and increased wall thickness. Its aluminum ribs use a larger structural profile than those of the Aurora. A solid stainless-steel spigot creates the foundational connection, while dual stabilizer bars come standard.
The construction continues the same premium attention to detail, too.
The crank handle is mirror-polished 316 stainless steel. The adjustment hardware incorporates stainless-steel accents. The top of the mast is finished with a cast stainless-steel detail, while a sculpted polished stainless-steel finial finishes the canopy overhead.
None of these decisions exists in isolation. Together, they give the Eclipse® a more substantial, architectural presence.
That makes it particularly at home in luxury hospitality, high-end residential and design-driven commercial environments where the umbrella is not simply a source of shade, but a visible part of the space.
The Eclipse® can also make sense where demanding conditions call for Frankford’s most robust cantilever construction. Its heavier mast, larger-gauge aluminum ribs, stainless-steel mounting components, and standard stabilizer bars create a system engineered for applications where additional structural heft is worth the investment.
Choose the Eclipse® when:
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You want Frankford’s most substantial cantilever construction.
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Your project calls for a heavier architectural mast and larger-profile aluminum ribs.
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Polished stainless-steel hardware and detailing contribute to the desired aesthetic.
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You are designing a luxury hospitality, high-end residential, or other visually prominent outdoor environment.
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The umbrella itself is intended to feel like a permanent, architectural component of the space rather than simply an accessory within it.
Fiberglass vs. Aluminum: Is One Better?
This is where umbrella comparisons can become misleading.
Fiberglass is not simply an “upgrade” from aluminum, and aluminum is not inherently better because it feels more rigid. They are different materials with different performance characteristics.
Aluminum ribs provide rigidity and structural strength. They are an excellent choice when a solid, controlled canopy structure is the priority. On the Eclipse®, Frankford takes that approach further with larger-gauge aluminum ribs designed as part of its heavier-duty overall architecture.
Fiberglass ribs prioritize flexibility and resilience. Their ability to deflect under sudden loads can make them particularly useful in gusty environments, while their inherent resistance to corrosion offers another advantage in challenging outdoor conditions.
Think of the decision less as Which material is stronger? and more as What kind of performance does this environment require?
That distinction is ultimately why Frankford offers both.
Three Cantilevers. Three Different Priorities.
If you are still deciding, the choice can be simplified to three questions.
Want a versatile balance of performance, appearance, and price?
Start with the Aurora with aluminum ribs.
Want the Aurora platform with flexible, corrosion-resistant ribs designed to respond to sudden gusts?
Consider the Aurora with fiberglass ribs.
Want the most substantial construction and a more refined architectural finish?
Step up to the Eclipse®.
Choosing the right cantilever umbrella can’t be boiled down to price tag alone. It is the one whose engineering, materials, and appearance make the most sense for the environment where it will spend the next several years.
And if you are still unsure, that is exactly the kind of question Frankford’s shade experts are here to answer. Explore Frankford’s cantilever umbrellas or contact our team to find the right model, size, and configuration for your space.
