Investing in a set of outdoor furniture can be an expensive process; from complete dining table sets to accent pieces or entire pergolas, outdoor furniture can cost a pretty penny. Because of its hefty price tag, you want to get the most out of your outdoor pieces and ensure that they are as long-lasting as they are comfortable. However, there is no shortage of outdoor furniture to choose from, and not every piece will hold together quite the same way. So let’s take a look at the most weather-resistant patio furniture so you can pick the right one for your backyard.
Wooden Furniture
Wood is one of the most common and widely loved materials for outdoor furniture; it lasts a long time, is comfortable, and has a natural beauty that complements most settings. Wooden outdoor furniture comes in many varieties, each with different attributes, colors, and quality; here are some of the most common types that you can come across:
- Red Cedar: Red cedar is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture due to its natural oils that repel rot, insects, and mold. It is naturally weather-resistant, resisting most mild weather. Its color can change over the years, so re-sealing every so often is necessary.
- Teak: The king of hardwoods, teak’s oil content is even higher than cedars, meaning it repels insects, rot, and mold even better, and is also one of the most weather-resistant woods you can buy; lasting up to 50 years with little maintenance.
- Eucalyptus: A more affordable option than teak and red cedar, eucalyptus repels insects, rot, and mildew like similar hardwoods but is not as moisture resistant; this wood is an excellent alternative for less moist environments or if adequately sealed.
Metal Furniture
Metal furniture is also highly weather-resistant, depending on what type you buy. Wrought iron, for example, is extremely heavy and withstands winds well but is easily damaged by moisture. Aluminum is another good option, as it does not rust or decay and has very low maintenance, but it is the lightest metal furniture, so winds can easily blow it away. Your best bet is stainless steel; this hard alloy is immune to almost all weather, is heavy enough that winds are little to no risk, and only needs occasional cleaning to maintain.
Cement Furniture
It may come as a surprise, but cement patio furniture is becoming a popular choice. While it is highly durable, wind-resistant, immune to sun damage, and more resistant to wear and tear than wood, it is susceptible to moisture. Water, particularly frost, can get inside small cracks of the cement, freeze, and damage the furniture, so this material is best for dry climates.
Synthetic Furniture and Plastic
Plastic furniture, alongside synthetic furniture, both share the same weather-resistant qualities; they both are immune to damage from almost all forms of weather but can fade with continued exposure to the sun and are the most susceptible to winds on this list.
Choosing the right patio furniture for its weather resistance ultimately comes down to your location. Warmer, dryer climates often benefit from hardwood, cement, or aluminum, while colder Rainer climates suit stainless steel, synthetics, and certain woods. If you are interested in purchasing hand-crafted, hardwood furniture, you can view our entire catalog here.
