How to discover quality in outdoor furniture

​When we consider buying a new set for our terrace or garden, we find a massive offer in the market. A myriad of models, types and prices make us dizzy and doubt how to decide correctly.

Garden furniture showroom area in TODOJARDIN.

In this post, our specialist in outdoor spaces Alberto Medina shows us how we should compare the different types of garden furniture and their accessories. He also shares the key points that need to fix to make a successful purchase.

​1. Is quality just synonymous with paying more?

When planning the purchase of our outdoor furniture set, we often commit the mistake of thinking that all the sets we can find in the market are "more or less" of the same quality and that after a few seasons they will deteriorate and all the same and we will have to change them again.

This thinking can lead us to the temptation to decide on those sets with lower prices since we have a priori expectations of a very short-term lasting and investment.

If we think like this, the reality is that we will have to change these sets in a short time precisely because they are not made with suitable and weather-resistant materials, so... and hence its low cost.

Poor quality fibre garden furniture at two years

Garden furniture with high-quality fibres at two years

Therefore, let no one is deceived. There are no fat pigs who weigh little or furniture of exceptional quality at low prices. In general, materials that resist external inclemencies are much better treated, much more stable, and must be correctly manufactured.

Thin tube thicknesses and gushing welds are cheap and quick to make, but their durability is very limited. Materials of superior thicknesses and well executed are a little more expensive to make, but the difference in the result is exponentially better.

​2. What are the aspects to identify the quality of outdoor furniture?

​Whether you prefer a classic or modern style, aluminium structures are the most suitable for the outside. Aluminium is lightweight and will prevent parts from rusting.

HERITAGE armchair with reinforced aluminium structure and VIRO fibre

From here, look at the fibres that cover the furniture. At TODOJARDIN we manufacture and certified all our models are made with the best synthetic fibres. The materials are specially  resistant to sun and water, weaved by hand and treated to have the necessary flexibility to prevent them from drying out and splitting. In this way, they keep their original appearance and tension for many years, with the only maintenance of the usual cleaning with fresh water.

Outdoor fabric upholstered hammocks and daybed

Attention must also be paid to other details, although not so obvious, just as important.
I mean the cushions and paintings. It’s not worth anything here either.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can deteriorate finishing and fabrics quickly if they are not specific for outdoor use. Specific outdoor fabrics such as dralon and porofin -washable in the washing machine- or porotex -which can be cleaned directly with water without the need to draw-, guarantee also durability to the armchairs and sofas in the outdoor environment. Likewise, polyester powder paints will maintain their original appearance after years in the sunlight with minor deterioration.

3. And if I rent my house, what furniture does it make up for outdoor areas?

Outdoor cushions in a frontline golf villa

​We often cater to clients looking to furnish houses for rent. Some of them, looking for fast turnover, commonly set aside quality in favour of price.

To them, our advice is clear.

Always, to the extent of our possibilities, it is best to opt for a quality item that is definitively more profitable.

​Even if there is a good chance that some tenants do not have the desired care, a quality piece of furniture will always be more durable and resistant and, in case of breakage, it is cheaper to replace the damaged part only (with cheap furniture there is no option), instead of buying a new whole item or even whole set, however cheap it may be. The availability of spare parts that are easy to assemble, or be able to buy separate pieces a posteriori are the details that should be extremely important to those who are thinking about renting their house.

​In our outdoor space, we have breakfast, an aperitif and lunch.

We spend long summer nights after an outdoor dinner. It is probably the area we use the most, and if we dress it properly, it will be by far the one we enjoy the most.

​Investing in it is certainly investing in our well-being.

Alberto Medina
Outdoor spaces Specialist
TODOJARDIN Estepona

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