Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

Why Is Patio Furniture SO Expensive? (Explained)

If you’re in the market for new Patio Furniture, then you’ve probably wondered why it’s so expensive. After all, it’s just a couple of chairs and a table, right? Well, not really.

There are many reasons why Patio Furniture is expensive. For starters, because patio furniture is always left outside to fight against the weather’s elements, it’s built using completely different materials than indoor furniture.

You may think it’s simply made of wood or plastic, but if you place an indoor couch on your patio and leave it for just one season, it’ll start to fade and crack. Hence, the material’s durability is essential.

And that’s just one reason! So, if you want to learn more about why patio furniture is so expensive, read on!

Spoilers: You might want to buy expensive patio furniture once you get to the end!

5 Reasons Why Patio Furniture Is So Expensive

Patio furniture is a must for any home with an outdoor recreational space. However, it’s also one of the most expensive items you can buy.

So, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why it’s a bit costly:

1. High-Quality Materials

One of the most important aspects of outdoor furniture is its durability and ability to resist the weather. Rain, snow, or just intense sun rays can easily wreak havoc on your decor if it’s not made with excellent materials.

As a result, most companies are restricted to using certain kinds of materials, such as these:

● Metallic Furniture

Generally, we all know that steel is very sturdy and durable. However, if you use as it is and leave it outside for a few days, it’ll corrode, and you’ll have a rusty piece of furniture!

That’s why manufacturers mostly stick to using powdered wrought aluminum and wrought iron in their products. Both materials can handle the blazing sun and, with proper care, can last for years.

Plus, the powder coating helps to protect them from moisture and rust.

● Plastic Furniture

Plastic patio furniture has come a long way since Leo Baekeland first introduced it to the public. The products are no longer the weak, low-quality you might imagine, especially regarding patio furniture!

In fact, most outdoor furniture manufacturers use HDPE (high-density polyethylene), which is more durable than PVC.

HDPE synthetic wicker also has a protective UV coating to prevent it from cracking or fading under the beaming sun, so you can enjoy it for many years to come.

● Wooden Furniture

Last but not least, we have wooden patio furniture. Wood furniture adds a rustic, vintage aesthetic to your patio that not many materials can accomplish.

But as we mentioned earlier, companies can’t just use any wood. So, most manufacturers settled on using teak because it’s one of the most durable woods out there.

Compared to other types, like acacia, teakwood is more long-lasting and requires less maintenance because its natural oils allow it to resist moisture damage and intense sun rays.

Plus, it has a natural tint that most people find appealing!

With all these things in mind, you can rest assured that the number one reason your patio furniture is expensive is that it’s made with a long-lasting, weather-resistant material.

2. Build Quality

Even though we’ve discussed the importance of high-quality materials and how they punch up the price, they can’t do that alone.

To clarify, if a company uses high-end aluminum or wood to create patio furniture without the proper finishing touches or hardware, it’ll produce low-quality products.

While that can make the product somewhat cheaper, it’ll shorten its lifespan considerably–even with proper maintenance.

Consequently, most furniture companies tend to use more than just glue to put wooden or plastic pieces together!

They use sturdier hardware like nails and screws (both coated with a waterproof material to prevent moisture damage) to ensure that you get a high-quality product that actually lasts. Plus, unlike cheap furniture, every joint is well-placed and fits where it should properly.

3. Design and Style Considerations

You’ve probably thought that by now, you’ve learned all there is to know about the design and material quality, but there’s one more thing still.

Because high-end patio furniture lasts so long, you won’t have to change it every other season. In fact, with proper care, you can get your furniture to last more than 15 years if you buy high-quality patio furniture.

The only drawback to this otherwise good news is that trends will come and go, and you’ll have the same furniture design for years.

So how did furniture manufacturers solve this issue? They solved it by creating patio furniture that looks elegant, sophisticated, and fashionable throughout the years.

Understandably, this allowed them to put a high price tag on their products; however, you’ll enjoy your patio furniture for years without worrying about it looking unappealing.

4. Scarcity

Back in 2020, when the world slowed down due to the pandemic, people started staying at home worldwide. As a result, there was a massive demand for all kinds of consumer goods like toilet paper, food, and furniture.

The idea behind that last part was that if you can’t go outside, you can try to make what’s around you as beautiful as possible.

So, people started decorating, and those with outdoor spaces took the time to make their patios and gardens more beautiful.

But with the increasing demand and strain on the economy, there was a supply shortage in many places. For example, Costco itself had some serious supply issues, which caused its stores to be out of patio furniture for months.

Consequently, many stores raised their prices in response to the trouble. On the other hand, did you know that specific colors can also affect the cost of your outdoor furniture? Why you might ask?

Because it affects both the durability and scarcity of the products. You see, most people tend to choose light-colored chairs and tables because they don’t fade as quickly as dark-painted ones.

As a result, dark-colored products are in greater demand and, therefore, could be more scarce and costlier.

5. Shipping Fees

Sadly, shipping fees can add up quickly, especially if you buy a large patio set. They’re often added to the furniture’s price tag and can cost you anywhere from $100 to $400.  Free shipping is never free, as companies just add it to the price.

Plus, the price could climb even higher than that if you live far away from the store’s warehouse!

Regardless, when you order something online, do you want to pick it up yourself or have it delivered straight to your home and set up?

Once you’ve realized the many benefits of having something shipped directly to you, the answer becomes apparent. Here are just a few:

  • Minimize your carbon footprint
  • No worries about parking spots
  • Save a lot of time and effort
  • Save gas money from many back-and-forth trips

With all these benefits in mind, it’s no wonder why shipping furniture can cost a pretty penny, but it’s definitely worth it.

How Much Should You Spend on Outdoor Furniture?

The answer to this question varies from one person to the next. However, we can confidently tell you to splurge as much as you can on outdoor furniture!

Buying high-quality, expensive outdoor furniture can help you in many ways. For starters, it’ll look elegant when you’re hosting a party in your backyard! You won’t feel sheepish or embarrassed that your outdoor furniture seems old or tattered.

Plus, psychologically speaking, when you create a comfortable home with beautiful, durable material all around, you’ll feel more at peace, which is priceless. So, outdoor furniture may be expensive, but it’s worth the cost.

If you want some advice, though, here’s what you can do to plan a budget for your outdoor space:

  • Check how much money you have available and how much you can spend exactly
  • Work your way up and avoid buying everything all at once if you’re on a tight budget
  • Look around for a while so you can assess the cost of everything you want
  • Ask the manufacturer about the material of the items you’re buying (make sure they’re durable!)

After you’ve followed this little list and made sure everything is alright, you can go ahead and get your new patio furniture!

What Kind of Patio Furniture Can Stay Out All Year?

Moving all your patio furniture inside as soon as the weather shifts and you see some dark clouds can be tempting.

After all, if you leave it under the rain, you can expect some rust, cracking, and mildew, among other things.

Fortunately, you can avoid this by investing in high-quality outdoor furniture that you can leave outside all year long. For instance, do you remember the teakwood we mentioned before?

This type of wood is exceptionally resistant to water– even though it’s a porous material– because it’s high in protective oils.

This makes it almost immune to cracking, warping, and rotting. In fact, you can find many home items, like shower stools, made from teakwood! So, there’s no need to worry about leaving your furniture outside, as long as it’s made with high-quality material.

Will Patio Furniture Prices Go Down?

This is a rather tricky question, especially during tough economic times. Just earlier in 2022, furniture prices increased by almost 10% due to the pandemic!

Moreover, supply and demand can also affect the cost of patio furniture. If there’s a lot of demand for a product, and an increase in the supply, then you’ll see a notable drop in the price tag. Of course, the opposite is true as well.

So, unfortunately, there’s no true answer to this question. The demand and supply are always up and down, and the economic state is hard to predict. Hence, if you wait for them to drop, you might end up waiting forever!

Instead, start researching and adjusting your budget to save up and purchase something that’ll last you for years to come.

Why Are Outdoor Couches So Expensive?

The Homecrest AIR Collection – deep, comfortable, super plush patio deep seating from a top outdoor furniture brand

Many homeowners think that the cost of an outdoor couch depends on the design and raw materials, but the real secret is in its cushions! In fact, almost 60% of a couch’s’ price depends on the cushions!

Since the cushions are the first part of the couch to get hit with direct sunlight and catch rainwater, cheaper cushions often fade and fall apart quickly in as little as one year. Therefore, you’ll replace them almost every season, which can cost you a pretty penny in the long run. 

However, high-quality cushions–like the ones made of Sunbrella fabric– offer you the comfiest cushions that’ll last ten or more years! It’s an excellent investment that’ll save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

What Happens if You Leave Outdoor Cushions in the Rain?

The answer here depends on what kind of outdoor furniture you have. If you have cheap cushions, chances are the rain or snow will ruin them, as the excess water will cause mold and mildew.

Plus, over time, they’ll start to fade and fray. On the other hand, If you’re using high-quality cushions, like Sunbrella’s, you can rest assured nothing much will happen to them. You’ll only need to ensure they don’t stay wet for too long.

How to Keep Expensive Patio Furniture Looking Great?

Even though you might have beautiful, expensive patio furniture in your backyard, it’s essential to learn how to keep it looking new and prevent any future damage. So, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Clean It Regularly

The first thing you should do to keep your furniture looking great is to clean it every once in a while. This means you’ll need a soft-bristled brush and maybe some mild dish soap to eliminate any dirt that may have accumulated.

You can also clean the cushions with a vacuum. However, ensure you’re using the soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the material.

2. Protect It With a Cover

When you’re not using the outdoor space, you can lay a protective cover to shield the furniture from the sunlight and other elements.

We recommend purchasing a polypropylene furniture cover. This fabric has excellent UV resistance and quickly dries when it rains, plus it won’t leave dye stains on your cushions!

3. Avoid the Elements When Possible

If you’ve followed the first two steps, there’s no need to do this. However, if you’re seeking some extra furniture protection, you can always bring it inside your home when you’re not using it.

This way, you can keep it protected from snow, rain, and dust.

Is Expensive Patio Furniture Worth It?

The short answer to this question is a simple yes. Expensive patio furniture is really worth the money because it’s an investment.

Though you may have to pay a lot upfront, expensive patio furniture saves you countless dollars in the long run because of its durability.

You won’t have to change it every year because it broke, and it’ll look great for years and years.



This post first appeared on Patio Productions, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

Why Is Patio Furniture SO Expensive? (Explained)

×

Subscribe to Patio Productions

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×