So you need new garden furniture. Finding the perfect one for your garden or patio should not be a problem considering the huge offer. Getting a good value for your money, however, is a completely different story. Given that the times are tough, you probably do not want to spend a little fortune on a garden table and a few chairs. The inexpensive versions, on the other hand, look cheap and usually do not last longer than a couple of seasons. As a result, they can even be more expensive in the long run.
If you really want to get a good value for your money, there are two things you should pay attention to when choosing garden furniture:
1. Quality Material
If you want your new garden furniture to retain its appeal under the harsh outdoor conditions, you should focus on quality materials that are resistant to the outdoor elements. Quality material will increase the cost of the furniture but it will save you a great deal of money in the long term. Let’s take teak for example.
Teak is a tropical hardwood that is resistant even to the most extreme conditions and requires no protection in the form of paints or oils whatsoever. This is due to the fact that it contains high amounts of natural oils that virtually make it outdoor proof and extremely durable as it can easily last a lifetime. You can leave good quality teak garden furniture outdoors all year round and it will not rot, or get affected by mould or infested by termites. But it is crucial to choose the highest quality teak – look for “grade A” on the label.
Grade B or C teak are considerably less expensive but they contain little or no protective oils. As a result, such furniture cannot withstand exposure to the outdoor elements without protective treatments. And even then, it cannot even remotely compare to durability of the highest quality teak.
2. Quality Workmanship
Quality material alone does not guarantee longevity of your garden furniture. If you want to enjoy your new furniture for many years to come, it must be made from quality material but it also must be made according to the highest quality workmanship standards. Why? Because it will need to withstand wear and tear as well.
To make sure that the furniture is well built, you should of course take a closer look at the details and pay attention to imperfections. But just because you cannot see any that does not necessarily mean the furniture meets the highest quality workmanship standards. There can be hidden faults such as poorly fitting mortise and tenon joints. You are therefore recommended to choose garden furniture that comes with a generous guarantee because it indicates that the manufacturer is confident in quality of their products.
