Re: Outdoor Furniture

queendiva · ‎03-12-2010

I have beautiful La-z-boy outdoor furniture from a few years ago. Covered it over the winter and cleaned in the spring. No problems.

My first year in a condo with a small deck. I kept two chairs and one ottoman, along with a small bakers rack shelf, small end table and a couple of planters. Bought 2 new outdoor runners. All was good. Covered over the winter. Late winter I checked on everything. Apparently squirrels made a home under the large vinyl cover! They shredded one pillow (it was old, no big deal) but what was a big deal is that they made huge holes in the back and seat cushions of one of the chairs as well as chewing a hole in the faux rattan frame! I am furious! Will cover the holes with a large throw or towel for this season. It will probably be cheaper to replace the furniture at the end of the season as compared to having new, custom cushions made.

I have since had to buy one of those plastic owl scarecrows to keep them away. So far it is working. Vicious little critters! And BTW, Neither my neighbors nor I was feeding them or had bird feeders out. Maybe the previous homeowner did.

I guess I am not the best person to ask how to store your deck furniture.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@queendiva Oh, I hate the damage done by squirrels. They got onto our friend's boat and chewed through the upholstered seats and canvas sun awning and even chewed up the carpets, mattresses, bed linens and some wires.

The boat was covered up and stored inside of a commercial boat storage building. The damage estimate was close to $30,000.

Our boat was stored right next to theirs and they didn't bother anything that we could find. I think that they have radar for the good expensive stuff.

Suzeecat · ‎05-05-2010

Oh wow, I had forgotten what squirrels can do! I guess that's a good argument for at least bringing in the cushions for the winter. And I had no idea LaZBoy has outdoor furniture! I love LaZBoy furniture, I'll have to go check them out!

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

We used to put the furniture...table & chairs, up in a loft in the garage. The last few years DH hasn't bothered to do this. It was a good quality set that we purchased over 15 years ago and is still holding up well. DH just power washes it in the spring.

As for cushions we have sling styled chairs but we also have a couple of large plastic storage trunks which would be perfect if you wanted to go with furniture that had removable cushions. The thick cushions do take a while to dry out after being exposed to a heavy rain.

jannabelle1 · ‎09-12-2010

You'll enjoy your new larger patio for sure! We live in a town home in the St. Louis area - no basement, and not enough room in our garage for the patio table/chairs. We cover the table and chairs with a tarp over the winter and they are fine that way. I'm able to store the folding lounge chairs and hang them in the garage on heavy hooks. None of my chairs have cushions, but if they did I'd put them in our outdoor storage chest during heavy rain. Regarding a "fire table"....I think they work best in open spaces with no wood structures around them.

BirkiLady · ‎02-22-2015

Years ago, we bought teak outdoor furniture. It's very comfortable, durable and weather-proof. Does not need cushions. Teak is my favorite and easiest to care for, but was pricy. I do store it in the garage during the winter due to the expense and potential of theft.

About 10 years ago, I purchased some wrought iron outdoor furniture for another patio. It needs cushions for comfort on the chairs. The loveseat is fine without cushions. The cushions live in the garage when not in use; I don't want to share them with spiders, dust or rain! It also needs to be spray painted at the end of every other season before being placed in the garage for the winter. (Without Rustoleum Spray Paint, wrought iron will eventually rust and look dull. It's a quick and easy way to prevent natural corrosion of the iron.) Wrought iron is comfortable, attractive, reasonably priced, upkeep is inexpensive with spray paint, and easy to carry to the garage by myself.

Money screams; wealth whispers.

hayseed00 · ‎11-24-2011

@SuzeecatI have resin wicker patio furniture and I leave them on my covered deck even in the winter and I've had the set quite a few years. I do take my cushions in during the winter.