Outdoor Patio Furniture That Can Be Left Outside In The Winter

Embellishing a porch with patio furniture can boost the outdoor aesthetics to a whole new level. In general, such furniture is used during the warmer season. During winter it is common to leave out the furniture unused.

You might ask, will snow toil the furniture? Can you leave the furniture outside in winter? The answer is yes, patio furniture can be left outside in a chilling climate. You have to make sure the built quality is top-notch and they are well sealed.

Today I will talk about outdoor patio furniture that can be left outside in the winter, to give you a clear idea of some durable fittings that can withstand the cold.

Can I Leave My Patio Furniture Outside? 

The answer to this question is yes, but there are some basic considerations to make it endure low temperatures. Patio furniture is made differently, meaning they will have a different build quality and materials to tackle harsh conditions, unlike your room furniture.

No matter how good your fittings are, you also have to keep in mind that these woods need to be sealed during snowfall, or else there is a chance of deterioration.

Furniture That Can Be Left Outside In The Winter

If you plan to showcase furniture in the open, it has to be something worthy that can stand up to ranging weather factors such as rain, sun, wind, and snow. As I said, your indoor furniture will not suffice here, because patio furniture demands more.

Don’t worry, you still have tons of hardwearing alternatives to pick from. Let’s check out the types of furnishings that can survive low temperatures.

Aluminum Furniture

This is probably the most durable variant out there. Aluminum is one of the toughest components that can shield itself from rust. So aluminum furniture is likely to be the best choice.

It tends to build up aluminum oxide on its own when it is left out in the open, thus protecting the fitting from hazardous elements. The good thing about this natural defense is that it can take on water without being corroded.

Such items will also shield themselves from unfavorable UV rays. You are likely to see no discoloration or any kind of deterioration on this furniture. When it comes to cleaning, you won’t have to break much sweat, because aluminum is easy to clean with just warm water.

One problem that might arise is that it can be a bit shaky in windy situations, as aluminum is a lightweight element. In this case what you can do is, secure the bottoms and the furniture whenever there is a chance of strong wind.

Stone Furniture

As heavy as it can get, this is a type that won’t shy away in windy conditions. Natural stone is a variety that is destined to tackle even the harshest of weather phenomena. It is rugged and super strong to withstand different weights and environmental factors at will.

Read More  Best Patio Umbrellas For Windy Conditions

If you are looking to go for a permanent change, rather than cycling different kinds of furniture, then natural stone can be a fine choice. It is not 100% damage-free, but it will serve you for years to come.

The only problem is that the natural stone tends to crack over time and can let moisture in, deteriorating the structural integrity. The good thing is that you won’t be needing a change soon, the damages are likely to show after many years. So you can use stone furniture during the winter season without worrying.

Synthetic Rattan furniture

Made from rattan vines, these are one of the most aesthetically pleasing furnishings made for outdoor use. It can also be placed indoors to give a more elegant vibe. The best use for rattan is when it is put outdoors. There are types of rattan fittings, one is synthetic and the other is natural.

Natural rattan is suited for the outdoors and will need a bit of maintenance to keep its shape and functions intact. On the other hand, synthetic rattan is made of plastic and resin, giving them UV-resistant and waterproof characteristics.

Who doesn’t like furniture that can be left outside without worrying about it getting wet and damaged? Get synthetic rattan products and say no to water corrosion. Another important feature of rattan is that it can tackle abnormalities led by frost. For all weather conditions, I give synthetic rattan a big thumbs up.

Treated Wood Furniture

Just like the name suggests you treat the wood (with preservative chemicals) to make it work. Untreated woods will deform and break even with the slightest weather change. This is where treated woods come to play and gives you the option to have wooden furniture in your backyard.

Treated wood comes in different varieties. You can pick the wood of your choice, such as pine, oak, mahogany, source, etc. The best way to go about it is to go for hardwoods like oak, mahogany, or acacia. They last longer and tackless unwanted situations better than softwoods.

One hardwood that works magic is Teak. It is super durable and can withstand moisture very well. Most woods are prone to rot, but not teak wood. To make things last longer you have to treat the wood from time to time.

Maintenance is the key here. If taken care of, then treated wood furniture is destined to last for 30-50 years, believe it or not.

Plastic Furniture

Fittings made from plastic materials are one of the most common types we see in the majority of households. It has a certain solidity to it that can take on rust without any fuss. Unlike metals, a plastic item will not rot, therefore you can easily have it placed on the patio.

The positive of plastic is that it is very rugged even though it might seem otherwise. Keep it in the rain and it will survive. It will also last in a cold environment but might show deformity if the temperature drops too low or peaks to the higher side.

I believe that plastics have some drawbacks compared to aluminum and rattan furnishings but can be labeled decent in dealing with changing weather, especially winter. For anyone who uses plastic furniture, I recommend them to store it indoors whenever they see a touch of frost.

Is Metal Furniture Safe Outside During The Winter?

I’ve already mentioned a type of metal furniture that is a wise choice for patio decoration. Aluminum can be the right pick because of its durability and ability to tackle UV and rust.

Some furniture stores might have steel fittings and promise you that they make a good placement on your patio during the winter. I disagree with this because steel is prone to deformities and rusts real quick. So I would not suggest regular steel to be placed outdoors.

There are exceptions such as powder-coated steel, stainless steel, and hot-dipped galvanized steel. These are variants that can somewhat deal with adverse weather conditions.

Can Patio Furniture Cushions Be Left Outside In Winter?

You can certainly leave some types of furniture outside in winter but keeping cushions out in the open for an extended period can cause some damage to it. Unlike indoor cushions, patio cushions are made to be more durable and can shy away from wear and tear. But leaving it out during snow or rain can cause havoc.

Water can go inside and the moisture buildup can damage the cushions. Mildew and molds can form in no time if they are not stored during the winter season. Whenever you are not using the furniture and there are chances of snow and low temperature, I advise you to store the cushions in a safer place.

Outdoor Patio Furniture That Shouldn’t Be Left Outside

Keep in mind that furniture is not indestructible. Even the toughest of the lot can wreck and deteriorate over time. The worst thing to deal with is the weather changes, during winter, even solid furniture can go awry.

Although some tailor-made items are designed to survive cold, some varieties should be avoided at all costs. Let’s take a look.

Wicker Furniture

Unlike natural or synthetic rattan, wicker furniture is not ideal for cold climates. In winter the cold weather can cause cracks and water sapping in can also come up with rotting parts.

Furniture Covered In Fabric

Any furniture that is covered with fabric should not be left outside for the whole year. Even the cushions should be taken away in case of rain or temperature drop. Fabrics will eventually get wet and promote mildew buildup if left unprotected. So it is best to store away fabric-covered furniture during the cold season.

Steel Furniture

Iron and steel items might be striking to the eye but they have a knack for accommodating rust and corrosion if exposed to water. Corrosion-resistant steels are available such as stainless steel or powder-coated steel, but they are still not as functional as aluminum.

Steps To Protect Your Furniture From Weather Hazards

Keeping your furniture intact and unharmed has to be your main priority. Even during winter, you have to be on your toes and maintain the furniture so that the next time you use it, it remains in pristine condition. Below, you will find some ways you can take care of the furniture.

Step 1: Cleaning And Drying

Furniture is prone to attracting molds and mildews. They will lock in water and might corrode anytime soon. So you must make sure that every part is cleaned and properly dry.

I strongly suggest you dry the furniture if it has been overwhelmed with water. Even before storage, make sure to clean and dry it completely, or else you will be letting harmful organisms wreak havoc.

Step 2: Cover Your Furnishings

The ideal way to keep your furniture safe and protected is to use waterproof covers. Get furniture covers from the store and make sure you cover every bit of it. The cover should shield the woods/metals from rainwater and snowfall.

Step 3: Coat The Metal/Wood Furniture

As you can see in the article above, treated wood furniture is covered in preservatives that are made to protect the wood. So if you are using furniture made of wood, you can always have it treated to make it last for ages.

For metal furniture, you can go for powder coating to protect it from weather damage.

Final Words

If you’ve been looking for outdoor patio furniture that can be left outside in the winter, let me tell you that there are many choices when it comes to materials. Items made from aluminum, rattan, stone, etc. should work well in low temperatures and during snowfall.

I advise you not to take it for granted. The best you can do is to ensure proper maintenance, this will make the furnishings last longer than usual. Keep your furniture clean and dry. Don’t forget to cover it during the winter season, only then you are likely to extract benefits.