Have you just built a new deck or patio? Or maybe you are revamping your existing outdoor space? Either way, shopping for deck and patio furniture is exciting but challenging at the same time. You obviously want something that doesn’t fall apart after a few years, but also the type of outdoor furniture that will keep looking attractive despite the beating from the elements. As a Maryland patio furniture retailer, Leisure Specialties helps many customers on a daily basis find the perfect furniture match for their outdoor needs. We’ve found that the following patio furniture materials are favored by homeowners looking for durable and attractive patio furniture.
Metal Patio Furniture
Metal patio furniture features metal frames with cushions that attach separately. The common metals used for building patio furniture include aluminum, stainless steel and wrought iron. Aluminum is the most popular of the three, as it’s light-weight, resistant to rust, durable and very easy to maintain.
Aluminum furniture is also available in a variety of colors to match any kind of outdoor space. The colors are applied by powder-coating a sand-blasted frame to ensure good adhesion. At Leisure Specialties, we love aluminum patio furniture collections from Gensun and work directly with the manufacturer to make it available to Maryland residents.
Synthetic Wicker Patio Furniture
Wicker furniture has its undeniable charm and comfort. It’s not cold to touch like aluminum, and it’s a bit less formal and more comfort-oriented. However, traditional wicker is essentially made of woven sticks and doesn’t hold up well under the rain and sun. This kind of wicker furniture requires high level of care and even then it may not serve you as long as you hoped for.
But here is great news if you love the look and comfort of wicker: you can buy synthetic wicker. Synthetic wicker is made of synthetic resins that are resistant to water, mildew and sun damage. Aluminum frames are usually used to give wicker furniture the desired shape. Most wicker furniture can be used with or without seat cushions, as it provides enough cushion on its own. We love and carry synthetic wicker furniture from Windward Design Group—take a look at their collections!
Winterizing Your Patio Furniture
Winter is often the toughest season for patio furniture. There is always rain or snow and not enough sunshine to keep the furniture dry. If you plan on leaving your patio furniture outside in winter, opt for metal furniture such as aluminum or wrought iron. Be sure to remove the cushions once the season is over and store them inside to prevent mildew and discoloration. If you have room for patio furniture in your garage or shed, it’s best to store it there during the winter.
Have other questions or ready to start shopping? Visit our Hampstead outdoor furniture showroom and speak with one of our patio furniture experts.