Exploring options for outdoor furniture can ignite a sense of anticipation. When you choose to renovate your patio furniture, it can be a fun experience.
Despite the fun of it, these furnishings carry a hefty price tag. Why is patio furniture so expensive? We'll break it down and cover the primary reasons behind the steep prices.
7 Reasons for Expensive Outdoor Furniture
Materials and Quality
The material you use has to stand up to harsh weather conditions, so you want to use something that's durable. Manufacturers usually choose wood or metal for patio furniture, as it's stronger than plastic.
Here's an overview of each material:
Wood
When it comes to outdoor wooden furniture, teak wood is the best choice. It usually lasts more than 75 years.
The natural oils in teakwood make it highly resilient against the sun and rain. Given that, its performance is much better than other wood types.
Additionally, teakwood requires minimal maintenance, further enhancing its appeal.
Though teak wood is more expensive than the alternative options, the longer lifespan makes it a good investment.
Metal
For metallic patio furniture, wrought iron, and wrought aluminum take the spotlight. These metals have an exceptional ability to withstand prolonged sun exposure.
If you take care of your metal furniture, making sure to coat it with powder, it can last for a long time. Even in wet environments, it shouldn't get rusty for many years.
Plastic
If the image of PVC comes to mind at the mention of plastic patio furniture, rest assured.
These days, manufacturers use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) instead to make these furniture pieces.
HDPE patio furniture can withstand inclement weather better than wood or metal pieces. The material stays strong and doesn't wear down over time.
That's what makes it different from regular plastic options. Companies often apply a protective UV coating for further safeguarding.
Weatherproofing
After picking a strong material, weatherproofing is another reason that patio furniture can get expensive.
The company will use different kinds of stains and sealants to make it even more resistant to sunlight and moisture.
Sometimes, it's necessary to use advanced weatherproofing techniques for different climates.
For example, if you live somewhere that's very hot or has a lot of humidity, you'll need better methods to keep the furniture looking nice.
Otherwise, it won't last as long. This process demands more manufacturing time, which often leads to a price hike.
Size
Additionally, the size of patio furniture also plays a big role in how much it costs.
The larger the furniture piece, the greater the amount of materials needed to build it. Of course, that also means big pieces need more weatherproofing.
Design/Style
High-end patio furniture needs more time and resources to collaborate with designers. They focus on the aesthetic aspects of their creations.
That allows you to have more options when it comes to your furniture's design, size, and finish.
Each piece is carefully made to fit in seamlessly with your home architecture and the broader theme of your landscaping.
Taking this extra time to focus on design details means your furniture will be of better quality.
Storage
Patio furniture is usually big and takes up a lot of space. That means you'll need to choose a large storage area to keep it protected until you need it.
Many people don't think about this cost when they buy the furniture.
If you're ever moving from one place to another, and you're not ready for the furniture yet, you have to store it.
It's expensive to store furniture, no matter if you pick self-storage or a company like Amazon. Warehouse space was in high demand during the 2019 COVID pandemic.
Many popular products became more expensive, plus storage prices soared.
The Pandemic
There are a few ways that the pandemic affected patio furniture prices.
When the world went into lockdown, many people had to stay home. As a result, the number of people who needed to work from home increased.
Naturally, people wanted to be as comfortable as possible while working from home. With a growing demand for patio furniture, pieces saw rising prices.
Also, raw material suppliers experienced a disruption in their daily operations. They struggled to keep up with the high demand for their products. At that point, it was harder to make the furniture and accommodate the growing demand. In turn, companies increased the prices as a result.
Transport
Unfortunately, shipping expenses can accumulate rapidly, particularly when purchasing a sizable patio set.
These costs are often included into the furniture's price tag and range from $100 to $400. "Free shipping" is actually a misnomer, as companies will include it in the final price.
If you live far away from the store's warehouse, the price could be even higher. The added distance means higher transportation costs.
In the end, the price of your patio furniture could be very high by the time you factor in these costs.
Why Choose Sunshine Outdoor Furniture?
Sunshine is a leading company that sells products in over 100 countries. The company is proud to have partnered with 30 famous brands in the outdoor leisure industry.
Each year, 25 million amazing products are released for a range of outdoor activities.
FAQ
Here are the responses to commonly asked questions about how expensive patio furniture is today:
Why is outdoor furniture more expensive than indoor furniture?
Outdoor furniture costs more money than indoor furniture because of the special materials and the way it's made.
Companies rely on teak, stainless steel, or aluminum due to their durability. These materials are more expensive than those used for indoor furniture.
On top of that, outdoor furniture has to handle being outside in the sun, rain, and changes in temperature. This makes it more expensive to make.
So, because of better materials and extra work, outdoor furniture ends up costing more.
Can you leave patio furniture outside year round?
Leaving patio furniture outside all year depends on what it's made of and the weather where you live. Some materials, like teak or aluminum, are really strong and can handle being outside. Of course, some materials, such as wood furniture, don't fare well.
But you still need to be careful because really bad weather can hurt the furniture. Things like freezing cold temperatures, heavy rain, or super strong sunlight can slowly damage it over time. To keep it safe, you should find a way to protect it, like using a cover or bringing it inside when the weather is bad.
Should you cover patio furniture when it rains?
Covering patio furniture during rain showers is good for protecting it from potential water damage. It can also help to extend its lifespan. While these materials are weather-resistant, too much moisture may have negative effects.
Rainwater can seep into cushions, cause rust on metal components, or warp wooden furniture. Using protective covers designed for outdoor furniture can provide a shield against rain. It can prevent damage and make maintenance easier.
Is it worth it to buy expensive patio furniture?
If you feel that the patio furniture is expensive, you should consider why you want it. Do you enjoy being outdoors? If the answer is yes, you want to choose sturdy, long-lasting furniture that looks good in your yard. In that case, it's usually worth it to most customers. It is an investment that pays off if you take care of it.
Final Thoughts.
So, why is patio furniture so expensive?
Patio furniture is expensive for several key reasons. Using higher quality materials like teak wood and stainless steel costs more than plastic. Additionally, because of how big the furniture is, it causes increased shipping expenses.
At Sunshine Outdoor, we're ready to meet all your patio furniture needs. As a leading leisure products manufacturer, we make only the highest quality outdoor furniture. We work with major brands, so enquire today to find out more about what we could offer you.
Contact SUNSHINE
