The weather is the one thing that stops your outdoor furniture from lasting as long as your indoor furniture. You probably knew that already, but did you know why certain weather conditions are damaging? More importantly, did you know that all seasons and all-weather conditions can damage your outdoor furniture?
In the following guide, we’ll look at the ways that weather can damage outdoor furniture, along with the things you can do to prevent and fix those issues. Regardless of where you live, how big your patio is, and what type of outdoor furniture you own, the following guide will help you to protect it all year long.
1. Rain Damage
There are several ways that rain can harm your outdoor furniture and that’s true whether it’s made of wood, metal, or plastic.
In wooden and wicker furniture, rain attracts mold and mildew. If left untreated, that mold will spread, damaging the furniture, and leaving stains and foul odors in its wake. In iron and steel furniture, it can rust, and once that rust takes hold, it’s difficult to remove. Even plastic furniture is not resistant to the damage caused by mold, and it can also attract dirt.
The problem is not just the water itself. It’s what the water carries (salt and dirt) and what it attracts (bacteria).
Protecting Against Rain Damage
Rain damage has a way of accumulating. Imagine that it’s the middle of winter. It’s cold outside and it has been raining for 2 weeks straight. It’s wet and miserable out there—the last thing you want to do is slip on a pair of rubber gloves and start cleaning your furniture.
At the end of that two-week period, the sun appears, the furniture seems to dry up, and you assume that everything’s okay. But while sunshine will dry the furniture, it won’t remove bacteria and mold. It won’t undo the damage caused by the rain and it won’t clean the dust, dirt, and salt.
The best way to protect against rain, is to cover your furniture. Take them inside during the winter or use plastic sheets and be sure to check on them every few weeks or so.
Alternatively, treat your fabrics, wood, and wicker furniture with water repellent sprays and oils, and clean everything with warm soapy water at least once a month (and ideally once every two weeks).
If you have iron or steel furniture, you’ll need to pay special attention to rust. Oftentimes, it accumulates on the legs and arms of metal furniture and if left untreated, it will spread and cause irreparable damage. Use a wire brush to lightly scrub the rust and prevent it from spreading. Clean the area with soapy water when you have finished.
You don’t need to worry too much about drying the furniture after cleaning. You can let it air dry. The problem is salt water, not fresh water, so if you scrub the salt away, it shouldn’t lead to more rust.
2. Snow and Frost Damage
Snow and frost are probably the most harmful weather condition for your outdoor furniture. The combination of moisture and freezing temperatures creates the perfect storm.
Water can become trapped in the pores of wooden and wicker furniture. Once there, it freezes, expands, and causes serious damage. The wood will split and crack, and as it continues to experience normal wear and tear from moving, storing, and sitting, it will eventually break. Cold temperatures can also harm plastic, metal, and rattan furniture.
Even aluminum furniture, which is usually resistant to weather damage, can be harmed by ice-cold temperatures, Moisture can accumulate in drainage holes and over time it can weaken the furniture and reduce its lifespan.
Protecting Against Snow and Frost Damage
If you live in an area that gets very cold and wet during the winter, you should invest in an outdoor storage space or clear some room in your home. Storing your furniture during the winter will protect it from frost and water and ensure that it remains strong and stable for years to come.
It’s really the only complete solution. A simple cover will protect against the rain, but it won’t do anything to prevent the cold or the moisture. Regular cleaning will help to remove bacteria and dirt, but it won’t protect against extreme temperatures.
The only alternative is to buy a type of furniture that won’t capitulate in extremely cold weather (see the bottom of this article for more information) or to regularly treat your wooden/wicker furniture. However, while the latter will protect against the worst of the damage it’s not an infallible solution.
3. Sun Damage
Most homeowners are aware that wind, rain, and snow can harm their outdoor furniture, but they tend to overlook sun damage.
The same rays that harm your skin can harm your furniture. Wooden furniture is particularly susceptible to sun damage. UV rays can damage the lignin, which helps to keep the wood strong and durable. It also discolors the wood and can either fade or darken it. If the wood is not treated or protected, regular exposure to sunlight will greatly reduce its lifespan.
Upholstery is also vulnerable to UV damage. Those bright colors will fade. The blacks will turn to grey. The reds will take on a jaundiced yellow. It’s not pretty, and while it won’t necessarily destroy the fabrics, they will be decidedly less appealing.
Protecting Against Sun Damage
A shining sun is usually a good thing for owners of patio furniture. It means that it’s time to throw open the back door and spend some time in the garden. It’ll also help to dry fabrics and wood that has been saturated with the previous night’s rain. But as noted above, that sun can also be very harmful and if you have wooden furniture or fabrics, you’ll need to protect against it.
The simplest solution is to invest in an awning or canopy. It will cover your patio during those scorching summer days, protecting your furniture and your family from harmful UV rays.
Alternatively, strip the fabrics from the furniture when it’s not in use and make sure the wood is treated.
4. Wind Damage
The wind won’t harm your furniture in the same way as torrential rain or biting frost. But in some ways, it’s the most damaging weather type of all.
Heavy winds will lift and throw your furniture, potentially chipping, smashing, and shattering your chairs, tables, and bars. Wind can also carry dirty and other detritus that clings to your furniture and gradually builds up. It’s not always easy to see this dirt, and if it’s left untouched, it will harden and could trap bacteria and mold. At the very least, it’ll take the shine off your brand-new furniture.
This is one of the main issues with plastic and aluminum furniture. On the one hand, it’s more resistant to cold and rain than metal and wood furniture. It’s also light enough to be moved and stored away with ease. But that lightweight structure means it doesn’t take much for the wind to take it away, turning your beautiful new garden set into a liability that ends up in your neighbor’s fishpond.
Protecting Against Wind Damage
You can’t bring your furniture inside the house every time there is a little wind. However, you can—and should—protect it when there are high winds tearing through your garden. If you have a shed, use it. If not, cover the furniture and weigh those covers down, making sure the furniture and the covers don’t blow away.
Of course, this only really applies during incredibly strong winds or if you have plastic, wooden, or rattan furniture. Everything else should be strong enough and heavy enough to withstand high winds.
To get rid of the dust and dirt that accumulates over time, simply clean your furniture every few weeks. Soap and water are sufficient and can be used on all furniture types. Grab a sponge, fill a bucket or bowl with some water, add a splash of soap, and get to work.
It will remove all the dirt, bacteria, salt, and mold.
How to Buy Weather-Resistant Patio Furniture
The best outdoor furniture is designed to protect against weather damage. You should still clean and maintain it, but generally, it will survive whatever Mother Nature can throw at it. If you want an easy life, therefore, the first step is to buy high-quality furniture, such as the dining sets sold here at Seven Summers.
All our furniture is constructed from poly lumber, an eco-friendly material made from recycled detergent bottles and milk bottles. It’s comfortable, durable, and can withstand cold weather, wind, snow, and sun. It won’t crack like wood, fade like upholstery, or rust like metal—it’s the perfect material for outdoor furniture!
Check out our patio furniture collections for more information. We have furniture types for all styles and for patios/backyards of all sizes. Furthermore, as it’s all made from premium poly lumber, every piece is suitable for all weather conditions.