Tara Shade DeLux Cantilever Shade Ballast Base, Holds 200 lb in Pavers

Tara Shade DeLux Cantilever Shade Ballast Base

The Tara Shade DeLux cantilever shade ballast base is a weighted, moveable footer for the Shade DeLux cantilever shade, built for sites where drilling into concrete is not an option. Each base is loaded with four pavers to reach 200 lb of hold-down weight, and two bases are required for every Shade DeLux installation. It is the alternative to Tara's direct-to-concrete footer, and it is the one to choose on a finished patio you do not want to core, a rented property, or any site where the shade may need to move later.

Quick Stats

• Two required per installation: every Shade DeLux cantilever shade needs two ballast bases, not one
• 200 lb per base: four pavers per base bring each one to its required hold-down weight
• Pavers not included: they are not shipped with the base and must be sourced locally
• No drilling: the base sits on the surface instead of anchoring into the slab
• Moveable: the shade can be relocated without leaving anchor holes behind
• Frame: the Shade DeLux structure is weather-resistant, rust-free aluminum
• Dimensions, weight and warranty: contact us for Tara's current spec sheet before ordering

Ballast base vs. the direct-to-concrete footer

The Tara Shade DeLux cantilever shade ballast base holds the shade down with 200 lb of pavers per base, while the direct-to-concrete footer anchors into the slab itself. Choose the ballast base when the surface cannot be drilled, or when you expect to move the shade at some point. Choose direct-to-concrete when the location is permanent and you already have slab to anchor into, since it needs no pavers and takes up no floor area. Tara lists the ballast base as the upcharge option of the two. The real trade-off is footprint and labor: the ballast base occupies space around each post and requires you to buy, haul, and place eight pavers across the two bases.

How many ballast bases do I need for one Shade DeLux?

Two ballast bases are required for every Shade DeLux cantilever shade installation. Each base takes four pavers, so a single 8′ × 10′ shade needs eight pavers in total. Order the Pair (2) option when outfitting one shade from scratch; order Single only when replacing or adding to bases you already have. If you are planning an extended run built with 10′ extension kits, contact us first and we will confirm how many bases that configuration needs.

Are the pavers included with the ballast base?

No. Pavers are not included with the Tara Shade DeLux cantilever shade ballast base and are not shipped with it. Each base requires four pavers to reach its 200 lb hold-down weight, so a two-base installation needs eight. Pavers are heavy to ship and inexpensive to buy locally, which is why Tara leaves them out. Contact us for the paver size Tara specifies so you buy pavers that both fit the base and reach 200 lb at four per base.

Fair Trade-Off to Know Before Buying

The ballast base is the heavier, bulkier, more labor-intensive way to stand up a Shade DeLux, and it is only worth it if you cannot or will not drill. You are adding eight pavers and two weighted bases to the install, plus the floor space they take at each post. If you want shade over a patio without any of that, with no ballast, no pavers and no anchoring, a freestanding cantilever umbrella is the simpler product. The Panama Jack 10′ Round Cantilever Patio Umbrella ships with its own 105 lb base and covers a smaller area with far less setup. More options in Shades & Umbrellas.

Common Questions

How many ballast bases come with the Shade DeLux?
None. The ballast base is a separate purchase. The Shade DeLux cantilever shade requires two ballast bases ordered separately, unless it is being mounted direct to concrete instead.

Do I have to drill into my patio to install a Shade DeLux?
No. The ballast base exists specifically so the Shade DeLux cantilever shade can be installed without drilling. It holds the shade down with 200 lb of pavers per base rather than anchoring into the slab. The direct-to-concrete footer is the drilled alternative.

How heavy are the pavers I need to buy?
Each ballast base must hold 200 lb spread across four pavers, so roughly 50 lb each. Contact us for the exact paver size Tara specifies before you buy.

Can I move the shade after it is installed on ballast bases?
Yes. The ballast base is Tara's moveable footer option, so the Shade DeLux can be relocated without leaving anchors in the concrete. Moving it means unloading eight pavers, repositioning both bases, and reloading them.

Does the ballast base work with an extended Shade DeLux?
The Shade DeLux is modular and expandable to 30′ total using 10′ extension kits. The two-base figure applies to a single 8′ × 10′ unit, so contact us to size the footers for a longer run.