See More AboutPatio costsPatio maintenance costsFind patio contractor You might be tempted to leave your patio furniture out on the deck, but it's best that you cover your furniture to protect it from the winter weather. Outdoor furniture is often made of all-weather materials. While this may sound like they're capable of withstanding fluctuations in conditions, covering your patio furniture will help prolong the life of your outdoor furnishings. Think you're off the hook just because you live in a sunny beach city? San Diego-based Patio Productions explains, "If you live by the ocean or by a salt water lake, these elements can evaporate into the surrounding air and find a home inside of your frames. Salt water eats away metal and will corrode frames." This article will teach you how to cover your patio furniture, how much it will cost and what to look for. Outdoor covers may increase your upfront cost, but it will be worth it in the long haul. Snow, sleet, high wind gusts and rain can deteriorate the quality of your patio furniture over time.

Snow and rain can cause extensive damage to wood materials. With wood, you run the risk of creating mildew problems. So there's a few ways you can do this. If you have enough space in the shed, you can store your patio furniture there for the winter or at least until warmer weather returns. Some people use their outdoor furniture indoors which isn't a bad idea when you think about it. Others bring the entertainment outside by installing an outdoor TV enclosure. These covered spaces also help prolong the life of your patio furniture. Investing in a set of patio furniture covers is a more cost-effective way to protect your furniture. For stackable chairs, you can save money by looking for a stackable chair cover instead of buying an individual outdoor cover for each of your nine dining chairs. These sets can cost around $30 per chair and $270 for the set. As you can see, you'll save hundreds of dollars using this technique. The cost of a patio furniture cover varies based on the size of the cover you're purchasing.

For a standard loveseat cover, you should expect to pay $45-$115. One of the greatest factors in pricing are materials. Vinyl is the most popular material used to make patio furniture covers due to its durability and flexibility. You would assume that all outdoor furniture covers would be waterproof, right? Water resistant means that it’s repellant, whereas waterproof means that water will not penetrate the cover. Vacuum Cleaner For Car Wash IndiaThe problem is that if the covers are completely waterproof, the material becomes airtight and loses its breathability. Vinyl Bathroom Tile DecalsThis creates problems with moisture and mildew underneath the cover. Torn T-Shirt With Fake AbsWater resistant covers are sufficient for repelling rainfall.

The sun is your worst enemy when it comes to patio furniture. Even when it's under covers, UV rays can penetrate causing fading, cracking and discoloration. Quality patio covers are usually thicker to block out any damaging rays from the sun. Sometimes, low quality covers are able to cut down on the price by cutting corners in this area. When furniture covers don't have any vents, the build-up of moisture and humidity creates a breeding ground for mildew. To prevent this, manufacturers add vents at various points to allow air to circulate under the cover. This is important because covers without any ventilation will damage your furniture. Yes, patio furniture does need to be covered; especially in the winter. This will make your furniture last longer and the money you spend on a cover will save your replacement costs in the future. Instead of having to replace your outdoor set in a few years, it’s more plausible to have the same set for up to 10 years. Now that you have patio covers, it’s time to really up the ante on your new and improved patio.

Make Sure People Come To Your Patio With These 9 Décor Items.wicker care and selectionToday’s wickerTraditional designsSynthetic wickerConsider the following when shopping for all-weather wicker:All-weather Wicker Maintenance:Most of us forget that outdoor wicker did not even existFrances Atherton, Director of MerchandisingCaring for your furniture and fabric is like caring for your skin; proper treatment protects it from the elements and helps to preserve its texture, color, and appearance. Exposure to sun, salt, moisture, wind, and temperature changes causes your outdoor furniture, fabric, and accessories to require diligent attention and preservation. With proper care, your furniture investment will give you many years of use and enjoyment. Click here to reference our Care & Maintenance Catalog for detailed instructions and recommended cleaning solutions. Here is a quick guide to caring for specific materials. SYNTHETIC AND COMBINATION FIBERS Our hand-woven synthetic and combination fiber furniture requires minimal maintenance.

Our fiber lineup includes JANUSfiber™ (made from high-density polyethylene) and Vertex Fiber (made from polyester and hemp). Both fibers are colorfast, UV– and stain-resistant, and 100% recyclable. These fibers are an excellent choice for humid, salty environments, as well as installations with extreme temperature fluctuations. While these durable materials will not mildew, contaminants on their surfaces can accumulate and foster mildew growth, so regular cleaning is recommended. All of our teak, castillo, mahogany and jatoba are plantation-harvested premium woods. As with all naturally grown woods, color and grain varies on each piece of handcrafted furniture. As particularly strong, decay- and water-resistant species, these woods do not expand or contract excessively with changes in moisture or temperature. Left alone, they will age naturally to a beautiful, desirable silvery-grey patina. As you read through our care and maintenance instructions, you will find the steps analogous to skin care.

To add luster, purity, and youthful appearance to your teak and premium wood products, the true organic nature of the material must be preserved. Through abrading and exfoliating techniques, the natural tanin and grains of your teak will be enhanced. - Vacuum to remove loose dirt. - Prepare a cleaning solution of: 2 ounces (1/4 cup) dishwashing liquid or Golden Care® Teak Cleaner per gallon 8 cups of lukewarm water (less than 100°F/38°C). - Use a sponge or soft cloth to clean. - Rinse thoroughly with clean water. - Allow to air dry. PAINTED, PATINATED OR WEATHERED FINISHED TEAK In the absence of regular maintenance, the high quality of our teak turns to a lustrous silvery gray patina when left in its natural state, which is often preferable. To promote the weathering process, wash the teak regularly, especially during its first few months outside. Do so on a sunny day if possible, and use a mild liquid detergent mixed with a teaspoon of bleach in a gallon of water.

The bleach will accelerate the weathering effect of the sun. After the soap/bleach wash, rinse the furniture thoroughly with clean water and let it dry. As the teak begins to weather, the grain begins to lift. You may want to lightly sand the fine “hairs” which rise when the teak begins to weather. The silvery-gray patina will evolve at a different pace depending on its environment. Wind, salt spray, and sun will always weather teak more quickly. Our mesh slings are virtually maintenance free under normal conditions. For general cleaning, wash with a non-abrasive soap-and-water solution and a soft cloth, then dry with a soft towel. For stains, we recommend using a stain remover, such as All-For-1 Feron cleaner, Oxyclean® , or Simple Green® . Powder-coated aluminum is a process that creates a durable, protective finish on metal surfaces without using solvents. Polymer granules (polyester, polyester-epoxy, or fusion-bonded epoxy and acrylics) are mixed with pigments and other powder ingredients, then heated in an extruder.

The extruded mixture is rolled flat, cooled and broken into small chips that are milled to a fine powder and sprayed onto the surface with an electrostatic gun. The gun imparts an electric charge on the powder, which is then sprayed to the frame, attracting the “paint” particles into every crevice. When the frame is heated, the powder melts and forms a hard, protective coating creating a continuous, seamless application. Like any fine-painted surface, such as an automobile, routine washing with mild soap (pH:neutral) and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge, and clear rinsing will keep your painted furniture looking new. We recommend you provide extra protection with a regular application of a reputable automobile wax, which will actively repel the accumulation of moisture and water spots and minimize stains from mustard and red wine. First, rinse with a hose to remove salt accumulation, then apply wax per manufacturer's instructions. Never use abrasive or aggressive solvent products on aluminum.

GENERAL CARE FOR TEXTILES Acrylic fabrics should be cleaned regularly to keep dirt and food particles from accumulating and becoming embedded in the fabric. This practice will eliminate the need for more frequent, vigorous cleanings. Bring your cushions indoors if you know of inclement weather approaching. Cushions used on natural unseasoned teak and natural woods should be removed after each use until the wood has become seasoned in its new environment. The finest weather-resistant materials have been used to make our cushions; however, they are not impervious to weather extremes or lack of maintenance. If cushions become saturated with water, squeeze excess water out of the cushions, then set them on their side to air dry in a well-ventilated, clean, dry area. Drying times will vary, but may be accelerated if cushions are allowed to stand on edge in direct sunlight. - 2 ounces (1/4 cup) dishwashing liquid or Feron’s 1 For All Cleaner per gallon - 8 cups of lukewarm water (less than 100°F/38°C).

- Use a sponge to clean. - Allow cleaning solution to soak into fabric. - Allow fabric to air dry. GENERAL CARE FOR CUSHIONS Cushions should never sit in water or be exposed to water for any prolonged period. To prevent mildew growth and corrosion of any sort, always remove wet cushions from furniture frames. Depending on the climate, furniture application, and frequency of care, the cushions you select for your furniture will add function, vitality and seasonal variation to your environment. We offer detailed guidance in the Care & Maintenance catalog regarding the types of cushion fill. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR MARINE AND COASTAL INSTALLATIONS Marine and coastal areas can be assaulted by salt spray as well as sand. These elements act as sand blasters onto fine finishes. The sand and dirt can literally “ground” into the finish if not washed off before polishing. Some exposures at sea have more wind or more direct sun than others. These conditions vary greatly, and there is no single timeline for to how often your furniture should be cleaned and restored.