Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Cushions for Your Patio

• Hardware, Industrial and Manufacturing, Travel

Written by: The Foam Factory

When looking into new patio furniture, or replacing the cushions of your old outdoor furniture, there are certain things you should keep in mind before making any purchases. Remember that anything that stays outdoors will be subject to much more wear and tear than your typical indoors equivalent would. For this reason, buying something of good quality is of utmost importance. No one wants to buy something only for it to be in ruins shortly thereafter. Here are the signs to look for.

Remember to ensure that any furniture you buy is designed for use outdoors. Anything that has foam components should be using specially designed outdoor foam, which is was invented because typical indoor foam does not hold up well when subjected to the extremes of nature. As a plus, water isn’t retained in this kind of foam, so outdoor foam cushions naturally dry quickly after getting wet.

Still, the elements can be very damaging even to specially designed outdoor furniture cushions. While the foam used in these cushions is antimicrobial and water resistant, if they are left out during extended or repeated rains some mildew may still occur. You can help to prevent this by storing the cushions in a shed or box when rain is a threat, so as to limit the exposure. In addition, direct and constant sunlight may cause some fabrics to weaken and/or their color to fade, which is another reason to stow them away if they’re not going to be used for a while.

For metal pieces, or items that are just too bulky for storage, it is recommended that you invest in a cover to keep some of the elements at bay. This can be anything from a tarp to a thicker, durable sheet of cloth. By covering the furniture you can add years to the life of your patio sets.

Finally, instead of replacing and entire piece, it is often possible to order an outdoor foam replacement for the parts that have been worn out. It’s definitely worth checking around if the damage is limited to a specific area of the furniture, saving you quite a bit of cash and stress in the future.

If you can make the cushions on your own, you’ll save a significant amount right up front. The trick is using covers that will withstand long-term exposure to the sun.