Summer months come with plenty of rain, but it does not mean that you have to stop enjoying your outdoor activities altogether! Even on rainy days, you can still enjoy plenty of outdoor activities if you buy the right outdoor furniture pieces! Here is a short guide on buying the perfect pieces for your front porch.

Choose the right material

Rain can wreak havoc on your outdoor furniture in various ways:

• Mould and mildew: When the humidity in the air is too high, mould and mildew will grow on your furniture which could exacerbate any existing respiratory issues you might have. You can always clean the mould and mildew, but it will take a while.
• Rust and corrosion: Rain can cause corrosive damage to your furniture, which can create rust. Rust does not just make your furniture look bad, but it can also damage your furniture pieces beyond repair.

These two issues are the main reason why you need to choose the right material when buying outdoor furniture. Some materials are more resistant to rust or mould, making them the perfect choice for the rainy season.

Teak

Teak is an amazing natural material that is extra resistant to mould and rot due to its high oil content. This material is also very easy to clean, as you can simply use soap and water. However, teak furniture is quite expensive, so it is not the best choice for everyone.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a cheap material that is accessible to everyone, it offers reliable weather resistance. That said, you should use coated aluminium for added protection, as raw aluminium might not offer enough of it.

Resin wicker

Resin wicker is a rather new material that combines the natural aesthetics of wicker with the resistance of synthetic fibre. It consists of synthetic fibre strands woven around a metal frame, and this material is particularly resistant to UV lights and multiple weather conditions. It does not hold well against strong winds, however.

Once you have an idea of what material is right for you, use a furniture aggregator like Interiorbeat for a better overview so you can narrow down exactly what you are looking for. They have more than 600 categories of both indoor and outdoor furniture, they even have a huge range of geometric bookcases to smarten up your living room with.

Mind the upholstery

Just as the frame gets damaged by rain, the upholstery of your chair can also be affected by humidity. Fortunately, some types of fabrics are remarkably resistant to humidity and water damage:

Acrylic fabric

Acrylic fabric is a kind of synthetic fabric that holds itself extremely well against weather damage. It does not get infected by mould and mildew, and it is quite breathable, making it a particularly good choice for summer furniture. The only downside is that it is quite expensive.

Olefin fabric

Olefin fabric is another option to consider. It is also quite resistant to humidity damage, and it is much less expensive. However, it is not as soft as acrylic fabric.

Put waterproof covers over your furniture

Even when your furniture pieces are relatively resistant to humidity and water damage, you should always put waterproof covers over them when it starts to rain. This is to ensure that they get as little water on them as possible. Waterproof covers are typically made from canvas, polyester, or vinyl, and you can even find some rather attractive covers on the market! A word of advice though: if you live in an area with strong winds, you will need to stabilise the covers firmly, or else they might be blown away.

Wet season means more regular maintenance to your outdoor furniture pieces, but if you have purchased the right pieces, you won’t have to spend a lot of time and effort on this task. With the right purchases, not even torrential rains can stop you from enjoying a barbecue or a tea party with your friends on the front porch!

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