Protecting your outdoor furnishings from all kinds of weather requires a little research. The materials used in outdoor furniture will be affected by the sun, rain, wind and snow. Even good weather can cause damage to furniture left on the patio or back yard areas, and this is a critical point to avoid overlooking. Prevention is the key to maintaining the condition of these items. Here are the best prevention tips that people use to keep their outdoor furnishings from rot, rust, dirt and related problems. Read on to find out how to protect outdoor furniture from the weather. The type of furniture makes a difference in how you can protect it from the weather, so always take this into account. Even UV rays from the sun can damage some types of furniture, for example. There are sunscreen products that can protect these items from the harmful UV rays in the same way sunscreen protects the human body. Another option is to use a layer of outdoor furniture protector.
Overview of Outdoor Furnishings
Most people invest a good deal of effort, time and money when selecting these furniture items for their outdoor areas. The most common types of furnishings for outdoor use may include sofas, chairs, tables, deck bars, hammocks, stools, outdoor bean bags and much more. These can provide you with a wonderfully relaxing area for socializing with family and friends. The basic idea for protecting your furniture is to keep it clean, cover it up during weather events and apply the right type of protective agent at the manufacturer's recommended intervals. Learn how to maintain these furnishings to protect your investment over time. To protect your outdoor furniture from the various types of weather, you might experience in your area. If you don't already tune into your local weather station, make a habit out of learning how to anticipate torrential rainstorms, snow or windy weather conditions before they happen.
Strategies for Protecting Your Investments
There are also materials to consider when planning your strategy for protection. Metal responds to extreme temperatures differently than wood, for example. Protect each type of furnishing by learning about the vulnerabilities that come with each material. Fabric will react differently to rain than wrought-iron metal, for example. Carefully consider the various types of constraints you might face before buying the furniture.
Consider Various Constraints, Time and Money
A constraint is a limitation that you face by selecting a style of furnishings for your outdoor area. The two significant obstacles are time and money. For example, the amount of time you spend maintaining these items can reduce the time available for enjoying the outdoor area you've created. You might consider selecting a metal chair instead of one made of cloth; however, their trade-off could come with the reduction in comfort. Cloth chairs tend to be more relaxing than ones made from metal. If you decide to purchase chairs and sofas made from cloth, the constraints to consider include maintenance time compared to the comfort of the chair. Just weigh these constraints carefully before making your selection to avoid buyer's remorse. As an added precaution, consider keeping the receipt so that you can exchange an item if you discover that the maintenance required for cloth is too high. Conversely, you might change your mind after sitting for a few hours in an outdoor chair made from wrought-iron materials. Protect yourself from making an error in judgment by ensuring that you buy from a supplier that will allow you to exchange your items if you change your mind about the purchase decision. Consider the option of adding cushions to your metal chairs, but take into account that this will increase your total maintenance time.
Methods of Protection
Consider the different ways of protecting each type of material from the elements while keeping in mind the relevant constraints:
Plastic or resin furniture:
There are many advantages when using plastic, but the downside is that it's not as aesthetically pleasing as many other materials. However, it is a cheap option if you're just getting started building up a relaxing outdoor space, and you can always upgrade your furnishings later. Plastic and resin chairs are light and affordable. They can easily be kept clean by a simple wipe down with a cloth and some cleaning agent. These chairs provide a reasonable level of comfort so that you won't need extra cushions. However, these items should be kept out of direct sunlight for extended periods if possible. The sun can damage the material and make it appear dull instead of shiny.
Synthetic rattan:
This is a beautiful material that is comfortable for use in any outdoor setting. The material is synthetic, which means it's exceptionally durable and will last for a long time under many conditions. The woven plastic strands are coated for additional protection, and this makes a comfortable and appealing choice. It will resist the effects of sun, wind, water and snow. The material won't fade even if you leave it in direct sunlight for long periods. This material is popular, and there is virtually no maintenance involved in keeping your outdoor synthetic rattan chairs and tables looking great all year long.
Wicker furnishings:
Wicker is lovely to the eye, and it complements many popular landscaping designs. It is comfortable when used in the construction of garden chairs, and it's incredibly light. This makes it easy to move from one area to the next, which is necessary during the winter months. The material will degrade quickly if left outside during snowfall and rainy seasons. Generally, it should be stored indoors when you're not using it, and this means that you will be moving it relatively frequently. Also, it must be treated with waterproofing each year to avoid the degradation of the material. Wicker is a high-maintenance item, so you should be aware of that fact before making your purchase decision.
Wood furniture:
Wood is a timeless favourite for outdoor seating areas. Many people experience contact with a wooden picnic table early in life, and it creates nostalgia. This memory is undoubtedly captured in the wooden picnic table. This item sends a welcoming and inviting signal to your guests. Popular types of wood include cypress, cedar and teak. To preserve the integrity of the wood material, you will have to treat the wood with a preservative. Do this regularly for the best results. This extra maintenance might convince you to keep looking at other options. However, it can be worth the effort if you love the look of a wooden picnic table, chairs or end tables.
Aluminium:
There are several advantages for selecting aluminium furnishings for your outdoor patio or garden area. This material is rustproof, so you don't need to worry about the rain. It's also easy to clean, and this minimizes the amount of time necessary to maintain the furnishings in good working order. The lightweight material is easy to relocate when it's time to store these items. However, the downside is that they don't fold up for an easy storage solution. These items should be indoors during the winter to avoid degradation. This can be a challenge if you're short on storage space.
Steel and wrought-iron furniture:
These outdoor furnishings really look great, and this makes them a popular choice for any gazebo, garden or patio area. However, they tend to be heavy, and the elements can erode the quality of the paint over time. This will require you to invest the time and money into providing a fresh coat of paint to your prized furnishings. Even though these items are heavy, they don't need to be moved indoors during the winter months, and this trade-off makes it worthwhile for some homeowners. Avoid placing these items on the lawn. You won't be able to mow the grass underneath, and this can disrupt your landscaping aesthetic.
Outdoor cushions and bins:
Add comfort by placing outdoor cushions on your furnishings made from aluminium, steel or wrought-iron metal. This allows you to enjoy a comfortable place to sit while also benefiting from the material of the selected furnishings. To make this process as easy as possible, purchase some unobtrusive outdoor storage bins, and place your cushions into them after each use. This will protect them from the possibility of a sudden downpour of rain, for example. Excessive exposure to sunshine can also degrade certain cloth materials, so you should have a bin ready for temporary storage between uses. Keep plenty of Velcro strips inside these storage bins to create another option.
Cleaning Tips for Your Furniture
Regular cleaning protects your furniture from depreciation and erosion. At the time you purchase your furniture, create a plan to keep your furnishings clean. This will ensure their longevity and proper functioning. Consider the time spent cleaning as an investment in maintaining these items into the future. There is a moderate level of financial investment necessary to purchase the right kind of cleaning supplies. However, it can be easy to maintain the furnishings if you buy a specific type of container for storing your cleaning equipment in one place. This will make it easy to get access to the cleaning supplies on a regular basis.
Here are some great tips for organizing and implementing your cleaning regimen:
- Store your cleaning supplies, equipment and tools in a single location. This will motivate you to keep the area clean because you won't need to search for these materials every single time.
- Collect some old clothes to wear when you're cleaning the furniture and day beds. Wear closed-toe shoes that are old and worn out. Store these in a plastic bag to prevent them from attracting pests.
- Use rubber gloves, and you can store them inside of a bucket. Use this for the mixture of water and cleaning agent. Keep a scrub brush inside of the bucket for use when cleaning surfaces in the horizontal plane. A sponge is better for the surfaces in the vertical plane.
- Make sure to wait around five minutes to let the disinfecting agents work. Spray off the surface using a garden hose. You can also rinse it with a sponge. Make sure to dry these areas with a cloth before putting your cleaning equipment away.
Prevent Damage to Your Day Beds
Outdoor furniture and day beds have a lot in common, but you should also consider the unique property of the day bed. This will help you to apply the best protective measures once you decide to make a purchase. For example, you might start the protective process by researching the type of day bed materials available. Always check the manufacturer's instructions so that you can use the right type of cleaner for wiping it down at the appropriate intervals. The types of materials listed above can be helpful; however, you can also simply buy some waterproof outdoor covers to protect the day bed when it's not being used. These coverings can protect the day bed from the harmful UV rays if the material isn't UV-resistant, for example. They also guard against the rain, dirt and even bird droppings. Even if you use a cover, make sure to clean the day bed using the appropriate type of cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Some outdoor day beds feature removable cushions. If this is the case, a strong gust of wind can easily knock them off the day bed into the dirt. Invest in some Velcro strips to fasten them firmly into place. Attach the other half of the Velcro strip to the frame of the day bed. Use this technique for other outdoor furnishings that have cushions. The other option is to place the cushions into a bin and only take them out while they're in use. Many people prefer to fasten the cushions with Velcro strips because it requires fewer steps to enjoy sitting in the sun on a pleasant day.
Protecting Outdoor Furniture and Outdoor Day Beds
Learn how to care for the materials you've selected. This is the key to protecting your outdoor day beds and other furnishings from the weather. It's necessary to understand the effects of the elements on each piece of furniture. Rain, snow and extreme heat will all affect each type of material differently. Make sure to research the local weather patterns in your area if you are new to the region. This will give you an idea of what to expect over time.
