What You Need To Know When Buying Patio Furniture

Whether you call it Patio Furniture, Garden Furniture or Simply Outdoor Furniture, good quality furniture designed to stand up to the outdoor environment is an investment and like many other investment decisions there are so many terms thrown around it can be confusing. In this article we’ll discuss the various types of materials that are used in the construction of outdoor furniture and discuss the pros and cons of each material.  We will also make recommendations on what to look for and what to what to stay away from. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision for you particular situation. If you would like more information on anything covered in the article, or on any products shown, please don’t hesitate to call or drop in at our store! Our expert design consultants have years of experience and are always available to help.

Wicker Outdoor Furniture:

Wicker has a classic look all its own. Wicker furniture is lightweight and durable, making it an excellent choice for outdoor spaces. The actual wicker strands are most often made from synthetic materials woven over an aluminum frame. These synthetic strands are resistant to moisture, fading, and decay. The two most common types of synthetic materials used in today’s wicker furniture are PVC and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). PVC wicker is usually the cheaper option and is what you normally see in big box stores. Unfortunately, over time, PVC tends to stretch, become brittle, crack, and unravel. The better choice is the HDPE. HDPE is much more stable, resisting the cracking and stretching that you see in PVC. Different manufactures have different names for HDPE so you may also hear it referred to as virgin vinyl. Wicker Furniture produced with HDPE fibers is more expensive, but it will last much longer and look better.

If you are a pet owner, one point to consider before buying wicker furniture is how it will stand up to your animals? The weave and texture of wicker furniture fascinates some animals. They just seem to want to chew and claw at it. Each year we receive calls from pet owners asking if we can repair wicker furniture that their animal has damaged. If the damage is caught early and is relatively minor, we can sometimes help, but in the majority of these cases the only option is replacement. It is also best to cover your wicker furniture during the winter months. This keeps the snow off your furniture and will greatly extend its life. In summary, superior quality wicker furniture made from High-Density Polyethylene is stylish, light weight, and makes a fantastic addition to your patio or deck, especially if pets are not a concern. If you’re interested in high quality wicker furniture, drop in and check out our selections from Lloyd Flanders, Lane Venture, Summer Classics and Tommy Bahama!

 

Composite Patio Furniture / Polywood Outdoor Furniture:

Composite and Polywood are basically the same material. Polywood is just a brand name. Whatever you choose to call it, it is typically made from recycled plastics and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resins, formed to look like real wood. The result is patio furniture that is durable, easy to maintain, and impervious to the outdoor environment. Composite Furniture comes in many assorted colors that do not fade over time. From a weight perspective, composite outdoor furniture will be heavier than a comparable wicker piece, but it is much more resistant to day-to-day wear and is one of the best materials for pet owners. Berlin Garden and Telescope are both brands of composite outdoor furniture we carry.

Teak Outdoor Furniture:

If you are looking for real wood furniture for your outdoor space, teak is a smart choice. Teak is a very dense hardwood that has a natural oil. This helps protect your furniture from the elements and makes the wood resistant to rot and insects. If left untreated, outdoor teak furniture will age to a light grey patina. If treated yearly there should be little fading from its original color. Teak outdoor furniture should be covered or brought in during the winter months to help extend the life of your set. From a weight perspective, teak patio furniture is usually lighter than similar composite furniture, but since teak is a natural wood, there can be a lot of variation in its weight. In general, teak outdoor furniture will require more care and maintenance than composite furniture, but when taken care of, teak will last for years and give a great, classic outdoor vibe. If you think teak suits your lifestyle, be sure to check out our collections from Three Birds and Summer Classics!

Cast Iron Patio Furniture:

Cast Iron is one of the most traditional and durable outdoor furniture materials. There are still examples of cast iron furniture that were produced in the 1800s that are still used today. On the downside, cast iron furniture can be very expensive. It is also very heavy, making it difficult to move, and it must be painted regularly to prevent rust. While cast iron outdoor furniture is still available, it is generally not in great demand and is only produced by specialty manufacturers.  One word of caution about cast iron furniture: beware of cheap imports. The quality of the metal can be questionable and in many cases these units are bolted together. Typically, the bolts are the weakest link in this type of furniture.

Cast Aluminum Outdoor Furniture:

Cast Aluminum is similar to cast iron. However, unlike cast iron, cast aluminum does not rust and weighs much less. Cast aluminum furniture is extremely durable, resists the elements, and is a wonderful choice for furnishing your outdoor room. From a weight perspective, cast aluminum furniture is on par with composite furniture. We carry a number of brands that use cast aluminum. These include Summer Classics, OW Lee and Lane Venture. We always have a broad selection of these brands on our show floor.

Extruded Steel or Aluminum Patio Furniture:

Typically, you will see extruded steel or aluminum used in conjunction with another material when it is used in outdoor furniture. Extruded steel or aluminum normally forms the frame of the furniture with the second material being used as the tops for tables or the slats for seating (this can include fabric slings or composite slats). Extruded steel or aluminum furniture is durable, strong, and can stand up to harsh weather. Extruded aluminum is very rust resistant and is used in higher end outdoor furniture. Extruded steel, on the other hand, while still strong, will rust over time. Typically, the lower priced outdoor furniture you see online or at the big box stores uses extruded steel.

One word of caution, not all extruded frames are created equal. The thickness of the extruded metal is important, especially in seating. If the extruded metal is too thin, it can bend or even break when you or your guest sits down. This is not only embarrassing but can be dangerous. The brands we carry are all high-quality, with sturdy frames that will last you for many years to come. In any case, the issues you see with this type of furniture will usually be with the secondary material used in the construction. This is especially true if the secondary material is a fabric sling or an outdoor cushion.

Why are Fabric and Cushions Important

Whether we’re talking slings or cushion covers, superior quality outdoor fabrics are designed to withstand the harsh outdoor environment while providing years of service. For these reasons, most of our manufacturers use Sunbrella fabric as opposed to the nylon-based fabric used in some lower end products. You will also want to consider the foam used in cushions. Lower end products often use a very porous type of foam in their cushions, and, in some cases, they use polyfill instead of foam. These types of cushions tend to lose their loft quickly, tend to absorb water quickly, and take much longer to dry once they are wet. The higher end outdoor furniture that we carry at Housewarmings uses a much denser foam that is firmer, more resistant to water absorption, dries much quicker if it does become wet, and will hold its shape for years. Depending on the manufacturer, our outdoor furniture does come with a warranty and our staff is always happy to help file your warranty claim should you ever need to do so! One more thing to consider when you’re buying an outdoor or patio furniture set is: can the cushions or fabric be replaced?  As I mentioned earlier in this article, modern steel and especially aluminum outdoor furniture frames will last for years, but this doesn’t mean much if you can’t replace the materials or cushions when they wear out.  Most lower end patio furniture sets that you see online or at the big box retailers are here today and gone tomorrow with no opportunity to replace fabric or cushions. For the brands that we recommend, should you rip a fabric six years after you bought your furniture set, we can usually order a replacement fabric cover of the cushion direct from the manufacturer.

Housewarming is Lexington’s Best Outdoor Furniture Store.

We have the best selection, the highest quality products, and the most experienced sales staff. If you are considering new outdoor furniture start your search at Housewarmings.