A Guide to Buying Garden Furniture
The first place you might want to take a look for outdoor furniture is your local department store. This type of store stocks many different styles of garden furniture and will usually have a pretty good price point. When comparing furniture, first look at the chairs. Since the chairs will get the most use and will have to support the most weight, it is imperative that you look at them more closely than the tables. Although plastic chairs will be more weather resistant, metal ones will provide better support. If you choose metal chairs, inspect the welds. They should be solid at each joint and the weld should go all the way around the joint, evenly. If there are any defects in the welds, the furniture will not hold up over time as the joints are the weak points of the furniture. Next, look at the webbing that will support the cushions of the chair. The webbing can also be made from metal or vinyl. If it is metal, once again, check the welds. If it is plastic or vinyl, check to make sure it is secured well to the frame of the chair. Next, purchase the best quality cushions you can afford. Since the cushions will ultimately dictate your comfort level, it is best have the best.
If you can, try to purchase metal furniture than has been coated in vinyl or plastic. The coating will help insulate the metal from the elements, reducing rust, and metal furniture just holds up longer than plastic. Try to avoid glass top tables, preferring to stay with acrylic or acrylic coated glass to prevent breakage.
Lastly, cover your outdoor furniture when it is not in use. This will protect it from the elements and ensure its beauty and functionality for years to come.