How to Protect Your Patio Furniture From Seasonal Damage

October 3, 2019

Quality, comfortable patio furniture is an investment in the enhancement of your home and your lifestyle. These items are great additions to a new home. But, in many climates, their use is limited to the warmer months of the year. The seasonality of this furniture makes it important to consider how you will protect it from winter weather damage that can affect its lifespan. Here are some tips on how to protect your patio furniture from seasonal damage and keep it looking great for years to come:

1. Move it all Into Storage

When it comes to protecting your patio furniture from the elements, the most obvious option is to move it all into storage during the off-season or before inclement weather. If this is the route you plan to take, you will have a few options to choose from. With each, you may want to keep a few additional things within your consideration.

Most notably, you will need to keep in mind the amount of additional space that will be required to store the items. A storage shed is a useful structure for a variety of different reasons and it can also serve as a place to store seasonal items during the winter months.

This makes a storage shed one of the backyard must-haves for your custom home. Along with your patio furniture, you will most likely be storing a number of other things in your storage shed, so it is important to make sure that the shed you have built has the capacity for everything you plan to store inside of it.

Make sure that there is enough room to keep things organized. Otherwise, sorting through everything in order to get to the one thing you are looking for can become a chore of its own. If you plan to construct a shed on your new home property, it’s a good idea to have the structure match the exterior of the home closely in color and style.

Another storage option is the home’s garage. Garage storage space can be very convenient due to its accessibility. But again, if you plan to use your garage as a primary means of storage, you may want to consider a larger garage when deciding on the layout and features of your new home.

A third storage option available is a permanent, built-in storage space that is incorporated within the patio of your home. These custom options are extremely convenient and can be added to the patio design in creative ways. These options also give you the opportunity to use the storage space as a place to keep fabric cushions or other furniture components even on a temporary basis when inclement weather rolls in.

2. Use Weatherproof Covers

Since the patio itself will receive little use in the off-season, it can be a good, space-saving option to keep the patio furniture on the patio all year long. If this is the option you choose, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing weatherproof covers.

Weatherproof covers may not keep all dampness or condensation off of the furniture, but they will repel winter precipitation that causes excessive wear and tear. They also will reduce the amount of fading from UV light that would otherwise occur during the winter season. This is a good tip for all types of patio furniture and is also one of the tips for maintaining metal outdoor furniture.

3. Invest in Durable, Weather-Resistant Patio Furniture

Although it may be more expensive initially, patio furniture that is constructed of more durable, weather-resistant materials often pays for itself over time. Furniture of this type will typically provide a longer lifespan to homeowners and is less susceptible to wear and tear from the elements.

This helps to keep it in like-new condition for much longer. This type of patio furniture eliminates most of the need for extra storage space as well as the work that goes along with moving heavy pieces of furniture at the beginning and end of the outdoor season.

4. Implement Built-In Patio Furniture

Patio designs that feature “built-in” furniture are also a great alternative to traditional types of patio furniture that commonly require storage or additional weatherization. Built-in patio seating may come in the form of wooden benches added along railings or even stone or cement seating that is incorporated into a hardscape design. This type of seating is both incredibly low maintenance and also can greatly enhance the overall aesthetics of the patio area by creating a unique, custom look to the exterior of the home.

5. Invest in Retractable Patio Covers

A retractable patio cover provides homeowners with a multitude of benefits. Not only are they great for producing shade during the summer months, but they can also provide patio furniture with a bit of protection from precipitation. This is true all throughout the year, but it can be a convenient benefit as it can eliminate the need to move or store patio furniture in the off-season.

Depending on the weather, the snow load capacity of the retractable patio cover and other considerations should be made, however. For example, how much extra wear might the patio cover sustain by being exposed to the elements during the winter months? Homeowners need to consider the convenience benefits of using these “phantom screens” to protect patio furniture and weigh them against the cost of the patio furniture versus the cost of the patio cover. In some climates, this may be the best option available, but each situation will be different.

When you are planning the patio area of your new dream home, think about how you will furnish it and how to protect your patio furniture from seasonal damage. Working with an experienced home builder will help to ensure that the options you choose are the right ones for your property, your home design and décor, and your lifestyle. If you would like to get started with the planning process of your new dream home and patio, give us a call today at 717-284-4090.