Overview
During the summer, we tend to spend more time outside. It is not fun staying inside all day. We could take long walks, exercise, or meet with friends. However, there should be time for rest as well. If you want to do it outside, the best solution would be to purchase patio furniture. It is great for relaxation, family dinners, and colleague meetings. Patios are also durable and easy to take care of. They can also increase the value of your house.
The process of selecting outdoor furniture can be annoying. Where do you buy it from? What sizes and colors should it have? What about the price? Who will deliver it? These are only a few questions you should ask yourself before going any further with the purchase. If you do it right, you will increase the house’s living space and have a new location for family dinners.
Choosing the best outdoor patio is also a way to express your personality and creativity. Today’s blog will give you some tips on how to purchase the best patio furniture for your garden and how to take care of it. Unlike indoor furniture, you will need to make some extra preparations.
Things to consider
Weather
How is the weather in your region? Does it rain often, or is it dry? Are there strong winds? Make a small list of negative weather effects which often occur and purchase a custom patio furniture cover. Preparing in advance is important.
Some annoying hazards could be:
- Dry air (it can crack some types of wood)
- Powerful winds and storms (they can blow away lighter types of furniture)
- Frequent rainfall (wicker furniture will suffer and begin falling apart)
Take extra cautions if you live near the beach. Using teak or cedar furniture could be a good solution, as they will prevail in these conditions longer. Order a custom outdoor sectional cover and you are good to go!
Pick the right colors
It is all up to you on this one. There are countless choices. There are no restrictions for natural wood or aluminum colors. You need to think it through. A good idea would be to combine the patio with your house’s colors. If you leave in a warmer climate with evergreen forests, you could set a lively purple patio. Any shade of green can also improve the looks of your outdoor furniture. You can play around with different options until you come up with the best decision. You can change the colors through the use of pillows or cushions too. Buying a cover is also a great idea. It will offer protection while looking stylish. ALCO’s custom outdoor table covers are an amazing example. They will protect your furniture during the harshest of weathers while looking amazing.
Space measurement
Take a long tape measure and go outside. Always take into consideration two things – how much space do you have available and what shape does it take? Do you want to use a long but thin balcony? Or the garden which has a square-like shape? Do you want to cover almost everything, or need a lot of free space so people can easily pass by? Do you want to save some empty space for the children?
Depending on how much space you have available, you should choose what to order. A normal bar set with a table and some chairs could be enough for a small space. A large sofa requires more space and extra protection.
One more thing to do would be to save some free space for a small warehouse or storage facility. Should the weather ever get tough, you might want to move everything over there. If the weather is bad enough for anyone to go outside, it might be hazardous to your patio set. One idea would be to purchase universal-for-use furniture. Keep it outside during the hot summers and bring it back inside when the snow starts falling. Another idea would be to purchase an easy-to-fold patio set. By doing this, you can easily store it inside the house during storms or strong winds. One final solution for both space and protection issues would be to order heavy duty custom waterproof outdoor furniture covers. They can withstand extreme conditions while allowing for air to circulate underneath the furniture. By doing this, your patio set will remain in good shape during the entire year.
Location
The previous question was how much free space do you have? The next question is – what type of space is it? Is it next to the house or away in the open? Does it have an overhead cover? It is on top of paving slabs, or the grass? Picking the right location will be beneficial. Your patio will have better protection, comfort, and an amazing style.
A good example of what not to do would be placing wooden furniture on grass. The moisture from the ground will begin ruining your chairs and tables. The same effect could affect metal furniture. Dealing with rot or corrosion can be annoying. While fixing them is an option, you would need to spend time, efforts, and money. Avoiding negative effects altogether is a better solution. Once again, ALCO’s custom waterproof outdoor furniture covers could save you a lot of stress.
If you want to place the patio in the middle of the yard, the searing hot sun would also be a problem. A foldable umbrella will be perfect for the occasion. If the woods are right next to your yard, use their shadows and save money. There is another thing to note. The sun’s UV rays can also be dangerous for your furniture. They can ruin the color scheme and begin causing deeper structural damage. Our custom furniture covers can offer constant UV ray protection.
The materials
There are different types of materials and you should carefully choose which ones to purchase.
Before doing anything else, ask yourself:
- What is the usual weather in your region?
- How much time and efforts can you spend caring for the furniture?
- How do you want it to look?
Doing some homework will save a lot of future efforts as well as headaches. Every material has different properties. Some can be resistant to moisture, but others will begin rotting and falling apart. Some can stay under the sun for months and still look brand new, but others will fade away and lose their style.
People purchase outdoor patio sets for relaxation and style. The negative weather effects can ruin both. Choosing the right material is vital.
Taking care of your furniture is another important concern. Aluminum for example barely needs any care. Polish it real quick and you are good to go. Other materials require special care. Can you afford cleaning them all the time? Wrought iron is strong and stable. It can last for long periods of time without suffering a scratch. Neither rain nor heat can crack it up. Resin will keep its fresh looks for years to come while offering a huge choice in colors.
Materials such as mahogany or wicker look good but require dedication. They bring serious responsibilities. If you want them, be ready to spend more time cleaning and taking care of them.
You can find more information on every popular type of material and when you should use it below.
Be wise and do not overspend
Going for cheaper options is usually not worth it in the long run. Going for the most expensive options might guarantee quality, but is it really worth it? You need to find a balance.
Having cushions would be amazing, but you can save up some money by avoiding them. If you already got some lying around and they match the patio, use them instead. You can also make your own cushions. As long as their materials are mold and mildew resistant, you are good to go. There is one more benefit for having pillows and cushions – you can store them inside the house during colder months.
Your budget is the determining factor. Try to get the best possible quality with the money you have, as cheaper patios could break down quickly and result in long-term losses. However, do not overspend. Stay within your budget.
A few cool tips would be to:
- The outdoor patio prices tend to go down during the second half of summer. As fall sets in, fewer people will be purchasing outdoor furniture. You can spend less while receiving the same quality
- Either go with universally good materials such as aluminum or some types of woods (cheap, easy to clean, and with some resistance)
- You can use older furniture from your home and add it to your new patio set
- You can also get custom furniture covers (they offer protection against rain, wind, snow, UV rays, mold, mildew, flying debris, animals, and more)
Always test the seat before finalizing a purchase
Since the main reason for buying an outdoor patio is relaxation, comfort should be priority number one! Sit on any chairs and decide for yourself – are they comfortable, and will everyone else like them? People who spend little time outside can purchase normal chairs, but those who like hosting long family dinners or events should get top-quality furniture. You need something durable with cushioned seats. If your friends, family members, and coworkers are going to spend the entire day at the patio, you should make it comfortable. Choose a few, good custom deck furniture covers which perfectly fit your new patio set.
A great video by The Home Depot will show you more tips on how to choose the perfect patio furniture.
What are the different materials?
Here is a list of common furniture materials. We will discuss their benefits and give you some important advice on how to take care of them.
Wrought iron
Wrought iron has superior protection against the negative weather effects. It is extremely heavy and requires powder coating against rust. With some cleaning efforts, you can maintain its looks for years to come. You will likely need to add a cushion for better comfort. You can use normal or green soap while cleaning the patio set.
Plastic
It is cheap, light, easy to clean, and stackable. Like aluminum, you will need little time for cleaning. There are different colors to choose from. Plastic can also resemble other materials such as wicker. Mold and mildew buildup is a serious problem, so clean thoroughly and rinse with water.
Wicker
Wicker looks good, is light, and comfortable. It is a great material for both indoor and outdoor furniture. There are different color choices. Cleaning could be tricky because you need to cover all possible angles. Using detergents or washing powders could be useful.
Aluminum
A common choice. Aluminum is affordable for any budget, light, easy to clean, and extremely durable. You can use a simple piece of cloth when polishing it. The material will save you a lot of time and efforts. It can become hot under the sun, so always put an umbrella above it before using it. Aluminum has different color options and can be durable. That gives you can an abundance of choices. Flexibility is key. Add in some UV-resistant hardware, and you are good to go.
You can wash aluminum with natural soap and white vinegar. Add car wax for surface protection.
Steel
Steel is durable and strong. It weighs more than aluminum. Direct sunlight can heat it up so badly, nobody will be able to use the furniture. Purchasing an umbrella or custom outdoor chair covers will do the trick. Go for stainless steel because it will save maintenance money. Furniture without stainless steel needs a protective finish during cleaning.
Wood
It is solid, heavy, and long-lasting. Wood does not absorb heat. It can be an expensive choice, so be careful. Wood requires great care. You might need to purchase preservatives against weathering. Wood can also lose its original colors quickly if you leave it without protection. If the furniture is old, look for splinters. Bring it back home during the colder months. If you plan on putting a cover on top of your wooden patio furniture, never let the cover touch the ground. Air circulation is important for the patio’s well being. Doing so will increase its lifespan.
You can pick between different wood types for your furniture:
- Oak
- Mahogany
- Maple
- Walnut
- Pine
- Plywood
- Veneer
- Cedar
- Teak
- Cherry
- And more
ALCO Covers are the right choice for the job
Protect your patio furniture, by ordering a unique cover. Your new patio set will need special protection against negative weather effects and animals. We will gladly help you out. ALCO’s Custom furniture covers are a durable and affordable choice for home, commercial, and industrial applications. Our products include:
- Custom outdoor table covers
- Custom outdoor chair covers
- Custom deck furniture covers
- Different types of custom furniture covers outdoor and more
Ordering a custom quote is quick and easy. Measure your outdoor furniture and send us the details. Your new, custom patio furniture cover can use a basic shape or a unique design. You can draw a sketch or take a photo of it, and we will use it when creating your custom made cover. You also have a choice between 12oz and 18oz vinyl. There are other features such as splits, tie downs, and more. Custom made to your exact size and form.
Only 3 Steps to Order
Take Measurements
Measure the furniture you are trying to cover.
Choose Options
Select the features you want your cover to have.
Place Your Order
Click submit and we will process your order.