Awhile back I realized that it was past time to replace my patio set. I needed to find something that wouldn’t make me feel guilty for spending the money but would last for more than a couple years.
For me, my first choice was wood, but when I looked at the price of Redwood or Teak patio furniture, I knew I had to find less expensive options. Any wood outdoor furniture is generally sturdy and long lasting. While many people simply use the woods natural moisture and insect resistance and allow it to age, you can also apply a stain or finish for more protection. In that case, you may need to re-oil or refinish the wood every few years, depending on how well the patio furniture is stored in off seasons. But you can save money and still have long lasting wood patio furniture by being open to less expensive types of wood, and by using finishes to mimic the look you like. Wood furniture can also be found used, and can easily be cleaned and refinished to suit your tastes.
Metal patio furniture can be an excellent choice as well, as it is so long lasting. There are many choices of outdoor furniture in aluminum and cast iron. Aluminum is much lighter, but is very corrosion resistant. Aluminum patio furniture may be constructed of tubes, or it may be cast. Aluminum can be expensive, but it is virtually maintenance free. Cast iron or steel is a great choice if you live in a windy place. With iron however, it’s all about the coating. Protecting the metal from moisture is the key to long life. Powder coating is the best covering, but cheaper options are available. They may require re-coating or repainting at some point.
There are huge ranges now i
n plastic patio furniture. Avoid the cheapest; they don’t last, they usually aren’t all that strong and you will waste your money. However there are options that are strong, long lasting and affordable. They are mostly maintenance free so they can be a great option. Sometimes color can be an issue, but plastic can be painted. In addition to solid well constructed plastic furniture you can find recycled plastic made into furniture and also you can find plastic wood furniture that are beautiful and virtually indestructible, but may be nearly as expensive as wood.
Whatever type of patio furniture you choose, do your homework and spend some time shopping and checking prices on line. I found many affordable local and national options for patio furniture that I could afford. Some of the online stores offered free or low cost shipping as well. Locally, watch for sales and know what you’re looking for and what price is a good price. Check unfinished furniture stores and resale stores as well as big box and discount outlets. I found my patio set locally, on sale before most of the outdoor furniture was on display, and now it’s on display on my deck.
