When judging outdoor tables, chairs, and sofas, you’ll probably look for many of the same qualities you look for in indoor ones: durability, comfort, and style (and of course price). The main difference is that patio furniture has to be able to stand up to the weather. There isn’t much patio furniture that can stand up to all kinds of weather, but the materials used make a big difference.
Before making a choice, it’s important to know what the pros and cons of each material are. Find out how well each one fits with the needs of your home or business property management, as well as your own personal preferences and top priorities. Since every situation is different, choosing the “best” material for outdoor patio furniture depends on how well your needs match up with the qualities of each material.
Things to think about when buying outdoor materials
The frames, tops, and upholstery of outdoor furniture need to keep their shape and look through many seasons and a wide range of weather conditions. Also important to look at are how much time and effort it takes to keep materials in good shape throughout the year, as well as how “green” they are and how much they cost.
1. Rain & Moisture
If you live in a place where it rains a lot or where there is a lot of humidity, you want to make sure that your furniture can handle different kinds of water damage. Standing water or moisture that stays on something can not only damage it physically, but it can also be bad for your health.
2. Mold, mildew, and rot are all bad things.
When it is damp or humid, many kinds of fungi can grow and spread. Mold and mildew can grow on organic materials that hold on to water. Mold and mildew can cause breathing problems, rashes, and other health problems. Most of the time, though, they don’t hurt the material and can be cleaned away. On the other hand, rotting causes the material to biodegrade and break down.
3. Rust and rusting
When iron- or steel-based metals are exposed to water and oxygen over and over again, they can rust. Corrosive oxidation slowly makes these metals weaker, which shows up as rust and other colour changes. Salt in the air and water speeds up the chemical process, which is why rusting is more common near the coast.
4. Warping
Materials that let water in can dry unevenly, which can cause the original shape to warp (twist or bow). At first, it might not be noticeable, but over time, it can change the shape of the material, make seams line up wrong, and loosen screws and other fasteners that hold the furniture together.
5. Sun & Temperature
If you live in a place that gets a lot of sun or where the weather changes a lot from season to season, you’ll need to find outdoor materials that can withstand damage from UV rays and changes from very hot to very cold.
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