What To Consider When Purchasing Outdoor Furniture

When we decide to decorate outdoor areas of our home, outdoor furniture is one of the first things we think of.  Effective usage, decoration and maintenance of our outdoor spaces definitely enhance the appearance of our home.  A patio can also serve as an outdoor living room, if we add the right furniture to it.

When we talk about outdoor furniture, the options available are overwhelming.  Based on your needs and budget, you can purchase furniture that is made of wood, aluminum, wrought iron, wicker or plastic.

There are number of factors to consider before buying outdoor furniture.  The main factors are where are you going to put the furniture, additional accessories required and the price.  If you need to be able to move your furniture often, then plastic or aluminum would be the right choice.  If you are going to place your furniture in a windy area, then wood or wrought iron furniture would be a good choice as these types of outdoor furniture are heavy and won’t be blown away by the wind.  Cast aluminum can also withstand windy conditions. 

In some cases, you might want to add cushions and these may not be included with the furniture.   Cushions can be very expensive so choosing a different type of furniture might be an option.

Deciding on the material is an important next step.  The type of outdoor furniture you choose should be based on your needs, taking into consideration exposure of the furniture to sunlight and rain.  Material selection is also based on the need to move your furniture around the patio, lawn or garden.

Let’s take a look at the different options we have with outdoor patio furniture:

1.      Wooden furniture - When we think about outdoor furniture, the first material that comes to our mind is wood.  People prefer wooden furniture as it is very durable and will last for a very long time.  Wood outdoor furniture comes in a range of qualities and finishes.  It is easy to clean and gives a natural look.  A popular reason for choosing wooden outdoor furniture is that wood does not absorb heat and remains cool.  A nice plus on a hot day.

·        Teak is the most popular wood for furniture but it is the most expensive.   It is extremely durable and is very resistant to decay.  It can last for decades.  Teak is a very dense wood and you would not be able to move it from one place to another easily.  Furniture made of teak wood has a very elegant look.

·        Oak and Cedar wood are light weight woods and this makes moving this type of furniture easier.  Cedar wood contains a natural preservative that resists moisture, decay and insect damage.  However, cedar and oak are heavier than aluminum.

·        Balau is a dense, tropical wood.  It is much cheaper than teak and it is readily available.

 

2.      Aluminum is a popular type of outdoor patio furniture as it does not rust and can be exposed to rain.  Furniture made of aluminum is light weight, elegant, long lasting and durable.  Also, it is not expensive.  One of the problems with aluminum is that it absorbs heat easily and becomes uncomfortable to use during hot, sunny days.  It would be wise to purchase cushions for your aluminum furniture.  Aluminum furniture suits best in open air settings as it can handle weather conditions well.  Cast aluminum is also rust proof.

3.      Plastics and PVC are good for both residential and commercial use.  These materials are good for wet weather conditions and both are generally used around pools and other areas near water. Plastics are lightweight, affordable, durable, portable and have a very long life. There are a variety of colors and styles to choose from.

4.      Wicker is a popular outdoor furniture material and is strong, durable, light weight and can be moved easily.  Prices range from affordable to very expensive.  The all-weather variety is made of synthetic materials and is easy to clean.

So, choose the type of outdoor furniture that will suit your needs and your budget.  Make your outdoor living room an area that everyone will enjoy.

 

Catherine Quel, President

Trim The Home, Inc.