Patio Furniture

You now have some beautiful furniture that has transformed your outdoor living space into somewhere to enjoy your downtime with family and friends, and you have more than likely spent a few hundred dollars or more on various pieces of furniture. Whether you decided to purchase high-end pieces, or your budget only allowed a more conservative choice, you will want to protect your investment, and this will vary, depending on the material you’ve chosen.

Wooden furniture is perfect for the outside, and it also looks beautiful, blending in very nicely with its surroundings. However, there is a price you pay. It isn’t exactly maintenance free.
Pine/Cedar: You will need to apply an adequate protection for it to remain outside. The wood has to be sealed and you should pay particular attention to the end grain. This will usually be at the bottom of chair and table legs, ends of benches, ends of picnic type tables. You wont have the same problem with round tables, as the manufacturers generally butt a ring around the exposed end grain giving it a more aesthetical, appealing look. I would recommend you treat on a yearly basis.
Teak:
Teak contains a lot of natural oils, making it a very popular choice for outdoor furniture. You could in fact leave it natural, but I would recommend giving it a coat of protection on a yearly basis. Whichever wood you choose, pay particular attention to the bottom of the furniture legs. Whether it’s on a deck, or sitting on a lawn, legs are susceptible. During the summer season, you can help with placing them on plastic cups that can be found in many hardware stores.
Plastic:
Newer types of plastic, and resin type furniture are ideal for outdoor use, and are no longer affected by the sun. They would discolor with UV rays, but that is no longer the case. Very Maintenance free.
Aluminum:
This is a great, versatile material that stands up well to most type of conditions. Over the years, this has become a very popular choice.
Wrought Iron:
This is a very robust material that is both heavy and will stand the test of time as long as you take care of it. It is metal, and will oxidize and rust if left untreated. Make sure the surfaces are completely protected with an adequate paint. Repaint if chips become apparent.
Wicker:
This is by far the least durable to the outdoors. You can, however treat it, but careful consideration should apply. Wicker tends to dry out & warp over long periods in the sun, and should never be left outside for long periods.