Patio Furniture Shopping Advice
When shopping for new patio furniture, the myriad of options on the market can seem quite overwhelming.
Should I go with steel? Cast aluminum? Cedar? Polywood? Wicker? Teak wood? What type of cushions do I need? What about warranties? These are all typical questions that may go through one's mind during the shopping process.
While the process can seem daunting, doing your homework can make the decision quite simple.
If shopping for metal furniture, the simple answer is cast aluminum.
In fact, don't even consider any other type of metal.
The reason is simple: rust! The simple fact of the matter is that no matter how steel or iron is finished, it WILL eventually rust or tarnish.
This is chemistry 101 at its essence.
Cast aluminum is extremely well suited for outdoor use.
It will not rust, and it is available in many ornate options.
If shopping for wicker patio furniture, be sure to look for synthetic (all-weather) wicker.
Natural wicker or "rattan" is not suitable for outdoor use - it will rot, split, fray, and fade over time.
Synthetic wicker, on the other hand, is impervious to rotting.
It is an excellent choice for outdoor use.
When it comes to wooden outdoor furniture, there are many choices on the market.
Traditionally speaking, teak wood is considered to be the "gold standard" for outdoor use.
Teak is a very dense topical hardwood with a naturally high oil content.
These characteristics make it naturally resistant to rot or insect damage.
Cedar is also a good choice for insect and rot resistance.
Most any other type of wood will need to be sealed in order to endure the outdoors.
Another relatively new option is polywood.
This material is made of recycled plastic and formed into a very dense and heavy product.
This furniture will not chip, rot, or warp.
As far as outdoor cushions go, at the minimum you will need a polyester blend fabric that has been treated for outdoor use.
Ideally, it is best to go with an acrylic fabric.
Acrylic is the most durable outdoor fabric.
Regardless of the fabric you have, it is best to treat it with fabric protectant (as per the manufacturer's recommendations) on a regular basis.
In general, you get what you pay for.
You want to look for at least a 1-year warranty.
Ideally it should be 3 years or more.
In addition, covering your patio furniture with quality patio furniture covers will make it last much longer.
Shopping on the internet for patio furniture can save you a lot of money.
With online shopping today, buying discount patio furniture sets does not necessarily mean you are getting "cheap" patio furniture.
Should I go with steel? Cast aluminum? Cedar? Polywood? Wicker? Teak wood? What type of cushions do I need? What about warranties? These are all typical questions that may go through one's mind during the shopping process.
While the process can seem daunting, doing your homework can make the decision quite simple.
If shopping for metal furniture, the simple answer is cast aluminum.
In fact, don't even consider any other type of metal.
The reason is simple: rust! The simple fact of the matter is that no matter how steel or iron is finished, it WILL eventually rust or tarnish.
This is chemistry 101 at its essence.
Cast aluminum is extremely well suited for outdoor use.
It will not rust, and it is available in many ornate options.
If shopping for wicker patio furniture, be sure to look for synthetic (all-weather) wicker.
Natural wicker or "rattan" is not suitable for outdoor use - it will rot, split, fray, and fade over time.
Synthetic wicker, on the other hand, is impervious to rotting.
It is an excellent choice for outdoor use.
When it comes to wooden outdoor furniture, there are many choices on the market.
Traditionally speaking, teak wood is considered to be the "gold standard" for outdoor use.
Teak is a very dense topical hardwood with a naturally high oil content.
These characteristics make it naturally resistant to rot or insect damage.
Cedar is also a good choice for insect and rot resistance.
Most any other type of wood will need to be sealed in order to endure the outdoors.
Another relatively new option is polywood.
This material is made of recycled plastic and formed into a very dense and heavy product.
This furniture will not chip, rot, or warp.
As far as outdoor cushions go, at the minimum you will need a polyester blend fabric that has been treated for outdoor use.
Ideally, it is best to go with an acrylic fabric.
Acrylic is the most durable outdoor fabric.
Regardless of the fabric you have, it is best to treat it with fabric protectant (as per the manufacturer's recommendations) on a regular basis.
In general, you get what you pay for.
You want to look for at least a 1-year warranty.
Ideally it should be 3 years or more.
In addition, covering your patio furniture with quality patio furniture covers will make it last much longer.
Shopping on the internet for patio furniture can save you a lot of money.
With online shopping today, buying discount patio furniture sets does not necessarily mean you are getting "cheap" patio furniture.
Source...