Outdoor furniture has been designed for centuries, give you a wide selection to choose from. Adirondack chairs, antebellum iron work inspired by the classic Victorian New Orleans, benches designed in Versailles, and so many more that can cause your mind to spin when you try to make a selection. A note of warning: not all furniture is meant to stand the test of the elements, just because it has an outdoor look, doesn't necessarily mean it was meant to be outdoors. Always read the instructions and warranty information included with the furniture to fully understand how to best take care of and maintain it.
You then need to choose your furniture based on the type of weather it will be subjected to. Your outdoor furniture may be made of more than one material.
Woods: Cypress, teak, or redwood are all naturally water-resistant and make for excellent outdoor furniture because they require little upkeep.
You can also choose wood options which have been treated. These pieces are often brownish green in color and can be covered with a clear varnish or painted a color that suits you. You should treat any other kind of natural wood with a protective coating that resists moisture. You can choose from a treatment that has a color or is clear.
Another option is furniture in rattan or wicker. You should inspect the frames for these type of furnishings carefully. They should be resistant to bad weather and have a finish which has been baked on. If you have a covered porch creating a protected deck, it may be acceptable to use a bamboo frame. Natural wicker with special finishes or modern synthetic wicker offer varying levels of weather resistance.
Iron: While a classic choice, it's weight makes arrangement difficult but causes little concern in windy areas. You will also need to treat wrought iron with a protective coating to keep it from rusting. It will be necessary to re-treat the furniture over time.
Aluminum furniture ranges from inexpensive tubular construction to frames that are made of wrought or cast aluminum. This material is easy to move and is resistant to rust. Furniture can be made to appear that it is made of iron by adding a textured or baked enamel finish. To determine what you have chosen, look for the finishing details like smooth seams on the welded parts. If you are looking for truly high quality aluminum pieces, you should look for pieces that are cast and made from heavy gauge alloys.
When dealing with furniture made from fiberglass or plastic, purchase the highest quality pieces that you can due to the fact that this type of furniture fractures easily. A warranty is a good starting point to judge a furniture's quality but it's also a good idea to try the furniture out for yourself by rocking or sitting in it. Some furniture also comes with the option of taking them apart for seasonal storage. This is usually true of pieces that include tubular PVC parts. A variety of shapes can be created with resin pieces. Both of these come in a wide selection of colors, be aware however that these plastics are not always able to handle direct sunlight without fading.
You then need to choose your furniture based on the type of weather it will be subjected to. Your outdoor furniture may be made of more than one material.
Woods: Cypress, teak, or redwood are all naturally water-resistant and make for excellent outdoor furniture because they require little upkeep.
You can also choose wood options which have been treated. These pieces are often brownish green in color and can be covered with a clear varnish or painted a color that suits you. You should treat any other kind of natural wood with a protective coating that resists moisture. You can choose from a treatment that has a color or is clear.
Another option is furniture in rattan or wicker. You should inspect the frames for these type of furnishings carefully. They should be resistant to bad weather and have a finish which has been baked on. If you have a covered porch creating a protected deck, it may be acceptable to use a bamboo frame. Natural wicker with special finishes or modern synthetic wicker offer varying levels of weather resistance.
Iron: While a classic choice, it's weight makes arrangement difficult but causes little concern in windy areas. You will also need to treat wrought iron with a protective coating to keep it from rusting. It will be necessary to re-treat the furniture over time.
Aluminum furniture ranges from inexpensive tubular construction to frames that are made of wrought or cast aluminum. This material is easy to move and is resistant to rust. Furniture can be made to appear that it is made of iron by adding a textured or baked enamel finish. To determine what you have chosen, look for the finishing details like smooth seams on the welded parts. If you are looking for truly high quality aluminum pieces, you should look for pieces that are cast and made from heavy gauge alloys.
When dealing with furniture made from fiberglass or plastic, purchase the highest quality pieces that you can due to the fact that this type of furniture fractures easily. A warranty is a good starting point to judge a furniture's quality but it's also a good idea to try the furniture out for yourself by rocking or sitting in it. Some furniture also comes with the option of taking them apart for seasonal storage. This is usually true of pieces that include tubular PVC parts. A variety of shapes can be created with resin pieces. Both of these come in a wide selection of colors, be aware however that these plastics are not always able to handle direct sunlight without fading.
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