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We’re not shy about telling people that we’re the outdoor living experts. We’ve got our 10,000 hours of time outside doing the important work of enjoying the backyard. So, when it comes to outdoor furniture, there isn’t a chair, chaise, or sofa that we haven’t sat on. In doing so, we’ve heard just about every question worth considering when selecting furniture for your outdoor space. Which is why we've compiled this complete FAQ to help you get answers on the way to achieving some serious outdoor comfort.
Have a question about outdoor furniture that we haven’t yet explained? Give our outdoor living experts a call at 1-877-342-0245, and you’ll have your answer in no time!
General Outdoor Furniture FAQ
When purchasing outdoor furniture there are various factors to consider including the purpose of the seating area, the number of people you intend to seat; the amount of space you have to accommodate outdoor furniture; and the climate you’re currently in. To learn more about these factors (and other considerations) check out our Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide.
Designed with pieces that can be rearranged and combined in various ways to create different seating configurations and layouts, modular outdoor furniture allows for flexibility and customization in your outdoor space.
Less expensive outdoor furniture is typically constructed from lower-quality materials, which makes it less durable and more susceptible to damage from the elements. Investing in high-quality furniture is considered a better long-term investment.
Depending on the quality of the furniture and the level of cleaning and maintenance provided regularly, outdoor furniture should last anywhere from 5 to 15 years but varies based on care and protection from outdoor weather conditions. Storing your furniture during winter months can help extend its life.
Outdoor furniture should be replaced when pieces become severely damaged, show signs of wear or fading, or no longer meets your functional and aesthetic needs, despite reasonable maintenance efforts.
Most of our furniture does not come fully assembled but every outdoor furniture product includes manufacturer instructions that can be easily followed and put together in a reasonable time period.
There are a variety of furniture pieces that can be used for a balcony or small patio. We recommend exploring our Best Small Space Patio Furniture Sets for 2023 guide as well as our featured small patio furniture sets. It may also be helpful to explore our outdoor bistro sets as they are designed to accommodate smaller spaces like a balcony.
There are several types of fabric rated for outdoor use, including Sunbrella (proper noun, so capitalize it), olefin, polyester, and acrylic. Our manufacturers use a variety of fabrics, all of which are designed for outdoor use.
We do not offer custom size or custom colors for our outdoor furniture cushions but if you reach out to us via phone, chat, or email, we may be able to work with you to meet your needs.
We’re proud to feature outdoor furniture brands that offer a wide range of product warranties. To find out the length of warranty per brand—and the specifics of those warranties—that we offer, check out our Patio Furniture Warranty Comparison Chart.
Furniture Materials, Finishes, & Construction FAQ
Outdoor furniture is available in many different materials. When choosing the best material for a patio set it’s important to consider several factors including climate, exposure to the elements, and primary function of the furniture. Our Guide to Outdoor Furniture Materials can help you choose the proper materials and get the perfect piece for your patio or outdoor space.
The outdoor furniture materials that typically require the least amount of maintenance include teak, aluminum, plastic, wrought iron, and powder-coated steel. Each of these materials is durable, fully or partially resistant to the elements, and generally low maintenance.
There are many durable materials for outdoor furniture including teak, for its resistance to rot and pests; aluminum, for its rust-resistance; wrought iron, for its strength and durability; and all-weather wicker, for its resistance to moisture and UV rays.
There are many eco-friendly options for outdoor furniture materials. To learn about these material options, we recommend you check out our guide on How to Buy Eco-Friendly Patio Furniture.
The outdoor furniture materials that best withstand harsh weather include teak, for its resistance to rot and pests; aluminum, for its rust-resistance; all-weather wicker, for its resistance to moisture and UV rays; recycled plastic, for its high durability and weather-resistance; and stainless steel, for its corrosion-resistance.
When purchasing patio furniture for a coastal area or even an outdoor area with a saltwater pool, it is recommended to shop for materials like marine-grade stainless steel, teak, all-weather wicker with aluminum frames, and resin or plastic furniture. All of which are corrosion-resistant and hold up against moisture.
Different outdoor furniture materials affect durability in various ways. For instance, wood materials like teak are durable but require maintenance. Metals, like aluminum or stainless, are durable due to their rust-resistant properties. Synthetic wick resists moisture and UV rays, while plastic is exceptionally durable because it doesn’t rot, warp or fade.
The wicker used for the outdoor furniture that we offer is made of resin, a synthetic material designed to mimic the appearance of traditional wicker while offering the advantages of durability, weather-resistance, and low-maintenance.
The key difference between teak and other woods for outdoor furniture is that teak is naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and pests, making it highly durable and low maintenance compared to many other woods.
Furniture Care & Cleaning FAQ
Purchasing high-quality outdoor furniture is a long-term investment in your outdoor space. And the best way to protect that investment and extend the lifespan of your furniture is to thoroughly clean and maintain those pieces. Our Patio Furniture Cleaning Guides will breakdown how best to care for specific furniture based on configuration and material.
While some outdoor furniture is designed for exposure to weather, we recommend storing outdoor pieces inside and away from the elements during the off-season (or any instances of extreme weather), regardless of material.
It is recommended that you cover your outdoor furniture when it rains to minimize exposure to moisture. We offer a number of outdoor furniture covers that fit properly and can help extend the lifespan of your pieces.
Yes! Patio furniture covers can be washed. We recommend reading and following the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturers.
It is best practice to regularly clean your pieces using mild soap and water. After cleaning, store or cover during the off-season and apply any protective treatments. We also recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions to properly clean any specific piece.
Covering your outdoor furniture every night is not necessary, but we do recommend covering (and storing) your furniture during extreme weather conditions be it high winds or rain.
We recommend covering your outdoor furniture in the winter and, if possible, storing your pieces inside to reduce exposure to weather and prolong the lifespan of your furniture.
To properly winterize outdoor furniture, we recommend starting by cleaning your pieces according to type and manufacturer specifications. Next, for relevant pieces, consider using protective coatings to further care for your furniture. In the case of any folding or moving parts, be sure to oil generously. Finally, store outdoor furniture indoors (preferably with covers). It’s also best practice to remove cushions and keep furniture off the ground to prevent moisture damage.
Outdoor cushions are designed to withstand weather and, based on their material, can be UV-resistant. We recommend cushions with densified fiber, foam, loose fill fiber, and polyester fiber. Be sure to clean regularly and store properly to extend their lifespan.
Typically, a pressure washer is safe to use on outdoor patio furniture for cleaning, but it should be done using a low -pressure setting or nozzle to avoid unnecessary damage.
To properly clean and maintain wood furniture we recommend regularly rinsing with a mixture of soap and water as well as sanding and refinishing when necessary. It is also helpful to apply wood sealant or oil to protect against moisture and, of course, store and cover indoors during the off-season or in periods of harsh weather.
