What's your patio furniture made of and how do you maintain it?

[cantdrv55]

I have teak patio furniture that's only 5 years old but they are already falling apart. I probably did not buy the best quality but even the pricier teaks may not last 10 years without doing some maintenance on them every once in a while. Now I'm considering aluminum frame furniture that's supposedly maintenance free.

What do you have and how do you maintain it? How long have you had it? Do you cover them when not in use and then hose down and dry off before using?

[Hugh R]

I've got anodized or powdered coated aluminum. About 3 years old, seems pretty good. Made by Mallin. Hose it off and that's it. I'd locktite the screw in rubber foot pads.

[cantdrv55]

That's a very nice set Hugh. Costco is selling some that's similar. All pricey but maintenance free except for the pillows.

[drcoastline]

Like a lot of outdoor furniture the hardware and fasteners are not proper for exterior use. The teak it's self should last years even if not maintained. It will just silver and gray. So when you say it is falling apart what is falling apart? Is the wood rotted or has the fasteners rusted and deteriorated? So long as the teak isn't rotted which is hard to believe just replace the fasteners. If you want a nice blonde teak wash it with soap and water and then a bleach solution mixed about 50/50 bleach and water and rub lightly in the direction of the grain with a soft bristle scrub brush. Let set a few minutes and rinse with a hose. You can preserve the color with a light oiling a few times per summer.

[Hugh R]

12 chairs, 10'6" table with two middle sections that pull out. I bought it locally on New Years eve a few years ago on clearance for something ridiculous like $1,200 delivered. I think the list is over $3,000.

[Ayles]

I have a teak table and chairs. Sand and teak oil every spring plus store indoors over winter. I live in Seattle so I don't typically set everything up until June. It's a lot of labor but keeps everything looking good. I also squeegee it off after rain if I am around.

[stomachmonkey]

Aluminum, like HUgh's.

Hose it off now and then otherwise just use it and forget about it.

Stays out year round.

Probably 10 years old by now.

Looks like it did when I bought it.

[LeeH]

Just bought a $600 set at a garage sale for $120. When it dies I'll do the same thing again. Whatever it is, the AZ sun is going to kill it pretty quickly so I'm not going to spend a lot of time or money on the stuff.

[gamin]

Powder coated aluminum. Rinse it off. Had it at least 10 years and shows no wear.

[95avblm3]

I'll echo what most others have said. We have a powdercoated aluminum set, hexagonal table with 6 chairs... a Kmart special that I bought from a buddy when only a couple years old. I think I paid $200... Had it for about 9 years now. Wash with soap and water about once a year. Next to no maintenance. Seat frames and table are still in pretty good shape but the fabric in the seats is starting to come unstitched.

I think I've gotten my money's worth.

[HarryD]

Had powder coated aluminum for years. Power washed it 1-2 times annually. Bought new pillows for the seats every 3=4 years when they got nasty.

Last year, wife got tired of the set and we got anodized aluminum, I figure the same drill.

[weseeeee]

I've had a PVC set for 20 years that just keeps on going. I power wash it a couple times a year to keep it clean. I've had two other sets during this time and they each only lasted 4-5 years.

[jyl]

Teak. Oldest pieces are about 14 years old. They sit out all year. Come winter, I tarp them. Come spring, I (lightly) pressure wash to get the mold and scum off.

[Noah930]

Teak. While the color has obviously changed over the 4 years we've had the set, it's as sturdy as the day we bought it.

[5String43]

Powder-coated aluminum, a Brown-Jordan set. Hose it off, as some of the others do, and also tighten a few Allan bolts from time to time. Its now about 20 years old and continues to provide good service and good looks.

[JavaBrewer]

We had a full set of patio furniture that looked exactly like what Paul posted. 6 top table, 4 top round table, 2 lounge chairs, 4 bar height swivel chairs. Lots of money invested. After 6 years the powder coating started coming off in sheets on every single piece. The store we bought them from was out of business. So bummed. We sold it all on Craigs list for next to nothing. Bad luck perhaps but I'll never buy that stuff again.

[cairns]

Tropitone powder coated aluminum. I clean every Spring and Fall and cover in winter. 15 years old and still looks new.