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How to Buy an Outdoor Patio Set
So, you are in the market for new outdoor furniture. Where should you begin? Well, there are several things to consider when shopping for outdoor furniture. First, think about your outdoor space and how you are going to use it. Will you be dining alfresco? Lounging with a good book? Relaxing with a glass of wine after a long day, or maybe you will be using it for all three? Knowing how you will be using the space will help you decide whether you are shopping for an outdoor dining table set or a beautiful sectional set, or both. Also, how will you configure your space? You can section areas off for instance, a section for the dining set and another area for the sectional set. And if storage is a problem consider folding chairs or investing in good quality furniture covers.
Be sure to get an accurate measurement of your space, your new set needs to fit the area it is intended for. Buying a large sectional for a small space is not always the best idea. While sectionals are very easy to rearrange into different configurations, too much furniture in an area is never good. I often suggest buying a 5-piece set, for example, and then adding to it after you have lived with it for a while. Many of the products we sell can be bought as a set or individually which gives you even more options. You can even start with two or three pieces and add to them as the need arises.
Then consider the climate you live in as it is important when shopping for outdoor furniture. The right patio furniture set needs to hold up in the weather where you live and knowing which materials hold up best in your area is key.
Think about what style you are looking for. Are you looking for classic styles or a more modern look? Maybe you like a more rustic style. Do you like to mix and match materials? With so many styles to choose from it’s important to establish your style so you can narrow down your search, otherwise it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. In the end, your outdoor space is an extension of your home and you want a nice flow from indoors to outdoors.
When it comes to outdoor patio furniture, there’s a wide array of products and manufacturers out there to research. Consider the importance of getting the right set or sets for your patio, after all, your new outdoor patio furniture will be the center of attention in your patio area for years to come. By narrowing down space requirements, weather and style you will make it easier to make informed choices.
When it comes to selection on the internet, there are many manufacturers of outdoor patio furniture and the price ranges are all over the place. Try to find products that include as much of information as possible so you know exactly what you are getting. In addition to knowing the measurements and materials of the product you will also want to know whether or not you will have a big assembly job. You might incur additional costs if you have to have someone assemble the furniture for you.
Look for the highest quality materials. If you like the look of wood outdoor furniture we recommend Teak wood. The benefit of Teak is that it can be very low maintenance and it holds up well in extreme weather conditions. There are several grades of Teak wood. Grade A Teak wood is the highest quality Teak wood available. Teak trees have 3 layers of bark. Grade A Teak is sourced from the center of the teak tree and has tighter straight to wavy grains. Grade B Teak wood is just a step below Grade A Teak wood. It is sourced from the second layer of the Teak tree. It has a duller appearance than Grade A Teak wood. Grade C Teak wood is sourced from the outer layer of the Teak tree and is not as durable as Grades A and B Teak. Grade C Teak is not recommended for outdoor furniture. Be sure the wood is solid teak wood. A quality teak patio set will survive the elements with little maintenance. Solid Teak will not need refinishing. Normally, solid teak patio furniture will require a coat of mineral oil about once a year and that’s it.
When choosing aluminum or wicker outdoor furniture look for powder coated frames. Powder coating an aluminum or steel frame is a process in which a protective coating is added to the frame to prevent rusting and aging. Many rattan manufacturers skip the added expense of having the framework powder coated and, as a result, the furniture cost is less, but having powder coated frames will make a difference in the life of the furniture. All of the furniture sets we offer have powder coated frames.
The cushions on a quality outdoor patio set will look great when they’re new and they’ll keep their form and color over the years, whereas, a cheaper, lower priced set will come with cushions that do not hold up well, and before long you’ll be replacing or recovering your cushions. My favorite fabric for an outdoor patio set is Sunbrella®. The warranty is iron clad and the fabrics hold their color for years.
The highest quality outdoor patio sets aren’t always the most expensive. With a little effort you can find some great deals on the internet. Doing your research is important. Beware of low-price advertisements that will often come with hidden shipping and handling fees. We offer free shipping on all our products.
My favorite patio furniture manufacturer is Modway. Modway offers the highest quality patio furniture on the market. They do the powder coated frames on their rattan and aluminum outdoor furniture, and they offer a number of patio furniture sets with industry-leading Sunbrella® cushions.
How to buy outdoor patio furniture can be summed up this way: Do your research. Don’t pay for cheap cushions. Don’t pay for shoddy materials. And, don’t pay for shipping!