Is there such a thing as all-weather patio furniture?

[cantdrv55]

Three years ago I bought a teak all-weather patio furniture set. The thing was not cheap. The brochure said I will enjoy many years of use out of the maintenance free set. It will look as good as it did new season after season. The manufacturer claimed that the only things that needed to be stored were the cushions. I should have listened to my own advice and applied a water seal to it and stored it under a tarp.

I'm going to have to replace it next season so am wondering if there really is anything out there that is maintenance free. What do you have and how long have you had it?

[Rot 911]

Teak furniture is supposed to turn gray as it ages. If you want to keep that golden brown look, you need to rub in some teak oil every 6 months or so. I have two teak rockers that have sat outdoors for the last 10 years and while now a light gray are still in very good condition.

[R K T]

We bought Brown-Jordan ($$$) outdoor wicker furniture when we lived in Palm Springs. We had lots of 120 degree days with the furniture in full sun. We now live in Arkansas where it's hot and humid in the summer and freezing in the winter. After 6 years it still looks brand new. I do cover it during the winter.

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Teak furniture is supposed to turn gray as it ages. If you want to keep that golden brown look, you need to rub in some teak oil every 6 months or so. I have two teak rockers that have sat outdoors for the last 10 years and while now a light gray are still in very good condition.

Maintenance - Wood Finishes at West Marine

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by R K T

We bought Brown-Jordan ($$$) outdoor wicker furniture when we lived in Palm Springs. We had lots of 120 degree days with the furniture in full sun. We now live in Arkansas where it's hot and humid in the summer and freezing in the winter. After 6 years it still looks brand new. I do cover it during the winter.

this is cheaper.http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod2130444 I was impressed with the quality of the wicker and the sunbrella fabric usually made for boat covers and tops. There were more accessories. The one I looked at was red....

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have very expensive faux wicker furniture that is doing extremely well after 5-6 years. Unfortunately the equally expensive cushions are not fairing well. Replaced a few last year and they look the same. My deck is covered so the cushions mildew very badly in the Midwest climate. I think I will just use some washable slip covers. Apparently Sundecker fabric requires sun.

[slodave]

No.

[slw911SC]

Not sure, but I know an Irishman that stays out all winter. His name is Paddy O'Furniture

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I have very expensive faux wicker furniture that is doing extremely well after 5-6 years. Unfortunately the equally expensive cushions are not fairing well. Replaced a few last year and they look the same. My deck is covered so the cushions mildew very badly in the Midwest climate. I think I will just use some washable slip covers. Apparently Sundecker fabric requires sun.

expensive?... Modern Outdoor Furniture | Contemporary Patio - OpulentItems.com

[Zeke]

The teak can also be rejuvenated with the correct acid. Dry then oil.

Disclaimer: there are massive debates on how to care for boat decks and such made of teak. I don't want to go there, it's only some chairs and a table.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by slodave

No.

That is what I first thought of when I saw this thread title!

[look 171]

I bet they are not true Teak. There has been a tin of tropical teak from various countries from the tropics. they all claim to be the real deal but they are not. Still they are dense. Use a little bit of teak oil, or sand in a good oil like Penofin with wet dry sandpaper. Real Teak is naturally oily so it resists water. You can't and should seal it with a film type of finish or water"proof" it.

Plastic is your other option.

[dennis in se pa]

Real teak, oiled regularly, will last just about forever. You do need to maintain it, but I believe it is beautiful.

[enzo1]

concrete .... steel .... bamboo?

[Hugh R]

Mallin, but you'll pay.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by look 171

I bet they are not true Teak. There has been a tin of tropical teak from various countries from the tropics. they all claim to be the real deal but they are not. Still they are dense. Use a little bit of teak oil, or sand in a good oil like Penofin with wet dry sandpaper. Real Teak is naturally oily so it resists water. You can't and should seal it with a film type of finish or water"proof" it.

Plastic is your other option.

True, real teak is not readily available, not green and terribly expensive.

[jyl]

My teak tables and chairs look fine after 10 years. Gray, as teak gets. I do cover them around Nov and uncover around Apr up here in rainland, but they still get rained on Sep-Oct and May-June which is plenty of rain, and they get sun for the whole week of summer. In Berkeley, I left them out year-round. I've never oiled them. Every couple of years I pressure wash them (gently).

[cantdrv55]

I think I got jipped. None of you guys have mentioned teak warping. The slats on my table are warping. The patina is "nice" but the wood is cracking and splitting. I've been had!

[jyl]

Sounds like it, I'm sorry.

I think you are in the Bay Area? I got my stuff at Wooden Duck in Berkeley. They have a yearly sale. Lots of cool, cool wood things, both old and new.

[cantdrv55]

Thanks for the tip. Wooden Duck is right off the freeway in Berkeley, correct? I'll check them out.