Issue Date: June 22, 2003
Sitting pretty
The savvy shopper's guide to outfitting a patio or deck in great style.
First you need to sketch out a seating plan for your alfresco space.
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For me, and many like me, the traditional summer shopping challenge (finding the perfect bathing suit) has been replaced by a new one (finding the perfect patio furniture). The recent Frontgate catalog boasts no fewer than six sets in teak, seven in aluminum, seven in wrought iron, and combinations of all three. Now, keep in mind, that's just one retailer. "You can have 100 different patio sets at 100 different prices," notes Cindy Prest, The Home Depot's buyer for patios and grills.
But one thing is certain: Americans are buying them, dropping an average of $1,200 on a five-piece dining set. So how can you make a good investment and buy long-lasting porch, patio or deck furniture without blowing your budget?
First, make a seating plan, just as you would if you were arranging a living room. The traditional patio set includes a table and four chairs (the umbrella is extra). But there are many other options, from love seats to chaises (for one or two), bar stools to bar carts, and side tables to ottomans. Measure the area you are trying to fill, then sketch a layout of furniture to fit. That way, you can head to the store equipped with a shopping list and not waste your money on extraneous pieces.
Next, choose a material. Flip through home furnishings and garden catalogs such as Frontgate or Smith & Hawken and you'll likely have a taste epiphany. You'll be drawn to wicker, iron, wood or aluminum. Understand, though, that prices in each category run the gamut, and each material has pros and cons.
Aluminum represents about two-thirds of all outdoor furniture sold. Most of that is hollow tubular aluminum; the rest is solid cast aluminum. Both share one big advantage: the rustproof nature of the metal. Cast aluminum, however, is likely to hold up better and suffer fewer dings over the long haul. It's also likely to be twice as expensive.
Wrought iron accounts for about 15% of the market. It's often less expensive than aluminum (even a well-made tubular set). The drawback: Sooner or later, it may rust. That's why it's important to pick furniture with a textured finish (at least two rustproof protective coats). High-end Smith & Hawken gives its wrought iron the same protective treatment as cars in Detroit.
Wicker holds a slim 5% market share and should be used only on enclosed porches. If you want the look outdoors, buy "all-weather" wicker, a synthetic look-alike. Jaclyn Hirschhaut of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association predicts a rebound in popularity: "Only in the last couple of years have they been able to craft a product that looks so natural but can last so much longer."
Wood furniture makes up the rest of the market. Teak is the most expensive, most durable material out there. "There's a reason they make boats out of teak," says Dave Ross of retailer Patio.com. It can last up to 20 years without much maintenance (left unfinished, it'll weather to a nice soft gray). Sets start around $1,000, but a single chair can go for $400 to $500 -- or a chaise for double that. Cedar is another increasingly popular choice, but it generally isn't as durable as teak (although treating it with a product like Thompson's Water Seal will add years to its life).
Finally, pay attention to the warranty. Generally, the cheaper the set, the shorter your warranty's term. At Kmart, the Martha Stewart Everyday line comes with a one-year warranty. At Patio.com, where furniture costs considerably more, 15 years is the norm. The most important thing to understand is what sort of coverage you get when you buy. And as with all major household purchases, save your receipts. Then, if you have a problem, take it to your retailer rather than the manufacturer. In this industry, retailers are better equipped to deal with problems.
Contributing Editor Jean Sherman Chatzky is the author of "Talking Money" (Warner Books, $24.95). Additional reporting by Brian B. Reid.
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The cushion question
Shopping for patio cushions and umbrellas for your dining table can be an adventure in and of itself. My advice: Limit your search to those covered in Sunbrella fabric, an acrylic textile that won't succumb to mildew or fade in the sun. It's widely available; you'll find it in the L.L. Bean and Frontgate catalogs. Most Sunbrella fabrics feel like canvas and come in solids or bright awning stripes.
And now Donghia, an upscale textile maker, is spinning Sunbrella out of a finer-gauge yarn. The result is softer and more drapey, in muted tones and patterns. At $54 to $78 a yard, it's steeper than traditional Sunbrella. But if you live in your outdoor "room," you may decide it's worth it.
As for your umbrella, make sure it has vents in and around the top to prevent it from blowing over (with your table attached!). And don't buy a glass table if you plan to put an umbrella in the middle. That's courting disaster.
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