Patio Furniture For Winter Use
What a shame it is to pack up patio furniture for a whole half the year only to hibernate indoors.
OK, so Britain isn't the warmest of countries over the winter months but with some considered purchases you can make your patio a cosy outdoor haven all year round.
Plus if you buy in autumn there are some excellent discounts on offer.
First thing's first, no-one is going to last very long in the sub-zero temperatures that mother nature throws at us Brits during the winter months.
You will need a good, reliable outdoor heater.
There are basically two types of patio heater available: gas or electric.
Electric heaters are more cost effective and allow you to direct the heat efficiently.
But then, there's nothing quite like the warm homely glow of a gas burner.
You can get coal and wood burners too which have the added bonus of doubling as a barbecue.
If you're looking for a relaxed setting to your patio, a fire pit will make for a great centre piece.
Surround with outdoor benches or chairs so that everyone gets a share of the warmth.
Choosing the right patio furniture for winter use can save you a lot of hassle in maintenance.
The easiest materials are those that you can quickly towel dry if they get wet and won't be damaged by the weather.
Aluminum patio furniture will really fit the bill, it requires zero maintenance and will wipe dry in instant.
Of course you need to find a style that you like.
Cast aluminum is great because it looks the part and tends to be latticed so you won't get pools of water gathering on the surface.
Wicker chairs and tables are beautiful but traditional wicker won't fair well in winter weather.
"All weather wicker" on the other hand is made from polyurethane resin so it will resist the elements.
Don't consider this a compromise, it looks really beautiful in its own right albeit more modern than the traditional version.
Wood will absorb water so you will need to treat it and cover it.
You can buy covers for your patio furniture at a reasonable price.
It's also important to have some good lighting, invest in a few outdoor lights that you can switch on and off manually.
Motion sensing lights are great for detecting intruders but can wear thin if you have to jump out of your seat every 15 seconds to get noticed.
You can set a sultry winter vibe by using oil burners which will give off a little heat as well as light.
All weather candles are also great for setting the scene.
So you've got your new furniture set up on your patio, the last thing you want is for the sky's to open and be forced to dash for cover.
Think about investing in an awning that covers your patio from the house outwards.
This way you won't get wet as you walk out to the table.
You can always roll it back on clear days for a bit of star gazing.
OK, so Britain isn't the warmest of countries over the winter months but with some considered purchases you can make your patio a cosy outdoor haven all year round.
Plus if you buy in autumn there are some excellent discounts on offer.
First thing's first, no-one is going to last very long in the sub-zero temperatures that mother nature throws at us Brits during the winter months.
You will need a good, reliable outdoor heater.
There are basically two types of patio heater available: gas or electric.
Electric heaters are more cost effective and allow you to direct the heat efficiently.
But then, there's nothing quite like the warm homely glow of a gas burner.
You can get coal and wood burners too which have the added bonus of doubling as a barbecue.
If you're looking for a relaxed setting to your patio, a fire pit will make for a great centre piece.
Surround with outdoor benches or chairs so that everyone gets a share of the warmth.
Choosing the right patio furniture for winter use can save you a lot of hassle in maintenance.
The easiest materials are those that you can quickly towel dry if they get wet and won't be damaged by the weather.
Aluminum patio furniture will really fit the bill, it requires zero maintenance and will wipe dry in instant.
Of course you need to find a style that you like.
Cast aluminum is great because it looks the part and tends to be latticed so you won't get pools of water gathering on the surface.
Wicker chairs and tables are beautiful but traditional wicker won't fair well in winter weather.
"All weather wicker" on the other hand is made from polyurethane resin so it will resist the elements.
Don't consider this a compromise, it looks really beautiful in its own right albeit more modern than the traditional version.
Wood will absorb water so you will need to treat it and cover it.
You can buy covers for your patio furniture at a reasonable price.
It's also important to have some good lighting, invest in a few outdoor lights that you can switch on and off manually.
Motion sensing lights are great for detecting intruders but can wear thin if you have to jump out of your seat every 15 seconds to get noticed.
You can set a sultry winter vibe by using oil burners which will give off a little heat as well as light.
All weather candles are also great for setting the scene.
So you've got your new furniture set up on your patio, the last thing you want is for the sky's to open and be forced to dash for cover.
Think about investing in an awning that covers your patio from the house outwards.
This way you won't get wet as you walk out to the table.
You can always roll it back on clear days for a bit of star gazing.
Source...