Patio Covers Guide

Choosing the Right Patio Furniture

If you want to purchase outdoor patio furniture, you can find just about any style you wish. You can choose from aluminum, rough iron, steel, woods, recycled plastic wood, and wicker. Which material and style is right for you will depend on your individual decorating taste and wishes.

Reasonably you can expect to pay from a $1000 up to $4500 for a set that will include from four to eight chairs and table that most often has a middle hole for inserting an umbrella. The umbrella is a separate item and must be purchased separately.

One thing to consider when buying patio furniture or, for that matter any furniture is the length of time you wish to use the pieces. If you are a person who enjoys redecorating often you will want to look for style and comfort, but not necessarily a quality that is going to last you for years.

If you plan to keep your furniture for many years then it will pay you to look carefully into the construction of the patio furniture you choose. You will want to find pieces that are made of materials that will not rust in a few years.

Rusting can be a problem even if you have bought wicker, wood, or synthetic wood. The screws and joints connecting the various parts of the piece must be made of galvanized steel or aluminum, especially if you plan to leave your patio furniture outside year around.

If you are choosing synthetic backs and seats for your chairs make sure that the fabric is securely attached to the chair or is looped and sewn and threaded around the frame of the chair.

Another thing to consider especially if you want less expensive outdoor chairs is the type of arm on the pieces you choose. Plastic arms tend to get brittle and will crack in a few years if exposed to sun. You may find that you have beautiful chairs that look great except for the arms which have cracked and broken. Check to make sure that defective materials would be covered in a warranty.

Furniture that is easily moved and collapses for storage may not be suitable for areas where wind and heavy rain can blow the chairs around and topple tables. Fishing your patio furniture out of the pool or from your neighbor’s yard can be inconvenient at best and damaging to the plants and landscaping at worst. If considering heavy furniture that is not easily moved, make sure it will stand up to year around weather conditions including snow and ice.

To insure the continued beauty of your patio furniture, applying a coat of wax to aluminum will keep the finish looking good for years. Treating woods with tongue oil or other protective oil based products will keep the wood finish in good shape and the integrity of the wood sound regardless of the weather. Plastic and vinyl patio chair cushions and seats can be wiped down with mild soap and water. Soap must be rinsed with clear water to remove any residue.

Whatever you choose, look around and see what is available. If you find a set you like but it is more money than you wish to spend, shop around. Don’t be afraid to go into the high end stores. There are bargains every where for those taking the time to shop.

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