When your patio furniture looks old, worn-out, or even out of style, your customers aren’t going to use it. As a result, businesses spend tens of thousands of dollars on new patio furniture every couple of years. Then the old furniture is thrown away and forgotten. But this cycle of purchasing new furniture and discarding the old is anything but safe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 12.1 million tons of discarded furniture was collected in the U.S. in 2018. Your business is substantially contributing to that number every time you throw away a set of patio furniture.
But if discarding old outdoor furniture and replacing it with new sets isn’t the answer, what is? Furniture repair and restoration. In fact, most of the time your patio furniture can be saved with a few repair measures. No need to haul it off to the dump or waste your time and money looking for a replacement set. We’ll go into even more detail about why restoration is the better option in this blog, as well as:
- When to Repair vs. When to Replace
- Signs You Need to Think About Repairing/Replacing
- How Long to Expect Patio Furniture to Last
- How to Extend the Life of Your Patio Furniture
- Disadvantages of Replacing Patio Furniture
- FAQs
Ready to learn how to save money with patio furniture restoration?
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Restore or Replace?
Outdoor furniture doesn’t last forever, but how do you know when it’s on its last legs? There are common signs each type of patio furniture show that indicate it is beyond repair.
- Mold: Even the smallest amounts of mold can cause sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and more severe symptoms if left untreated. If you find mold on your furniture’s cushions or vinyl straps, it’s time to replace them or purchase new patio furniture altogether. If metal furniture has light molding, it can be cleaned off, but typically these pieces need to be replaced altogether.
- Rotten Wood: This is most common in humid and rainy areas. If your wooden furniture has new cracks, a spongy texture, or a musty smell, it’s too late to repair it. Rotten wood destroys the structure of patio furniture, making it unusable and requiring a replacement.
- Structural Damage Due to Rust: Small patches of rust can be easily cleaned away. But large areas of rust cause severe cracks and holes that damage the overall structure of your patio furniture. At this point it is safest to buy new patio furniture to use.
Generally speaking, if your patio furniture isn’t as sturdy as it used to be it needs to be replaced. Furniture that is damaged puts anyone who uses it at risk of injury. If your outdoor furniture has any of the above symptoms, check its structure to determine if it’s damaged beyond repair or just needs an upgrade.
Signs You Need to Think About Repairing/Replacing Your Future
Customers use your patio furniture every day, so a little wear and tear is normal. But how do you know when enough is enough? Don’t put off repairing or replacing your patio furniture since this will only make the issues worse. Untreated symptoms can make your patio furniture unusable and force you to buy an expensive replacement at the last minute. Here are a few signs that patio furniture restoration or replacement will be needed soon:
- Mold or mildew accumulation
- Creaking or wobbly patio furniture could be a sign that the structure is unstable
- Increasing amounts of rust
- Discolored fabric, metal, and plastic
- Stained or torn fabric
- Chipped paint
Most of these symptoms can be fixed with expert patio furniture repair, so long as they are caught early on.
How Long Does Patio Furniture Really Last?
Patio furniture’s longevity depends on the material it’s made from, where it lives, how it is maintained, and how often it’s used. For example, aluminum, wrought-iron, teak wood, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin are the most durable materials used in patio furniture. However, this doesn’t mean that they are impenetrable.
It’s important to understand where your patio furniture will reside as these environmental conditions will affect their longevity. For instance, while one of the sturdiest materials, wrought iron is very susceptible to rust and will look worse sooner in humid climates, unless it’s properly powder coated. And while fabric is a comfortable furniture element, it can’t withstand heavy traffic and use from your customers. It will stain and tear and need reupholstery sooner rather than later.
Generally speaking, if your furniture is regularly exposed to the elements and is properly maintained, different materials will last different lengths of time:
- Plastics: 1-2 years
- Metals: 10-15 years
- Woods: 15+ years
These are rough estimates, but whether you take care of your furniture or not plays a big role in how long it actually lasts.
How to Extend the Life of Your Patio Furniture
Replacing your patio furniture every couple years can be extremely expensive. But when your outdoor furniture has to face severe weather and heavy use, is it any wonder it gets worn out so quickly? This doesn’t mean you have to replace it though. There are simple steps you can take right now to prolong the life of your patio furniture so you can save money on replacements:
- Clean your patio furniture at least four times a year; once at the start of every new season.
- Use a UV resistant sealant, protective covers, or UV resistant umbrellas to prevent sun discoloration.
- Regularly clean cushions and other fabric elements and store inside during storms.
- Inspect your furniture every day for signs of wear and damage so you can fix issues early on.
- Store furniture indoors with waterproof covering during the winter and severe storms.
If you don’t care for your patio furniture, it is going to need to be replaced sooner rather than later. However, if you perform these simple maintenance steps and use furniture repair when necessary, your patio sets can last up to 20 years longer, which ultimately saves you money.
Disadvantages of Replacing Patio Furniture for Businesses
New is not always better, and replacing your old patio furniture is not always the answer. In fact, replacing outdoor furniture instead of utilizing furniture repair can waste your money, shorten your equipment’s lifespan, harm the environment, and upset your customers.
Wastes Your Money
Depending on the size and material of your patio furniture, replacing it could cost tens of thousands of dollars. This is no small expense, especially if you have to make this purchase every few years to keep your outdoor space looking new. And these costs are usually unnecessary since most issues can be fixed with patio furniture repair. From the smallest scratches or stains to torn slings, broken vinyl straps, and chipped paint, restoration services can fix all of them. Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars on replacements, you can spend a few hundred dollars on furniture repair and restoration services. This way you can restore your outdoor space to its former glory without breaking the bank every couple of years.
Shortens Your Patio Furniture’s Life
Restoration also prolongs your furniture’s life by taking care of the materials it’s made of. Your furniture’s lifespan can vary greatly depending on the material it’s made of, with plastics being able to last only 1-2 years and woods being able to last over 15 years. Regardless of what your pieces are made of, they can benefit from patio furniture restoration. This process strengthens your patio furniture while also making it look like new again. Not to mention patio furniture repair and restoration can add up to 15 years of life to your pieces, reducing the need for regular replacements.
Harms the Environment
Most of the time, discarded furniture ends up in the dump. This adds to the two billion metric tons of trash already threatening our global environment. Instead of continuously replacing your patio furniture, restore the pieces you already own. This keeps shabby looking furniture out of a landfill by renewing it.
You Don’t Get Exactly What You Want
When your patio furniture loses its charm, you may feel like you have to begin the search for a new set all over again. This can be a frustrating process, especially if you were happy with your old patio furniture. Styles change and it can be difficult to find exact replacements, let alone a new set that will meet your customers’ needs and tastes. Switching styles is always a risky move for businesses since customers could either love or hate the change. Either way, your business will be affected. If you restore your old furniture, you can keep the designs you loved. And if you are ready for a style upgrade but don’t want to change the furniture out, services like powder coating can provide a new look to old furniture.
Patio Furniture Restoration Vs. Replacement FAQs
How do I know if my patio furniture should be restored instead of replaced?
If the frame is sturdy and the overall structure is sound, furniture restoration is the better choice. Cosmetic issues like faded paint, torn sling fabric, or worn cushions can easily be repaired at a fraction of the replacement cost.
Why is it better to restore rather than replace patio furniture?
Furniture restoration costs less, reduces waste, and preserves the quality of older furniture. Most new patio furniture sets are also mass produced and aren’t built to last as long as the pieces you already own.
Does restoring patio furniture really save more money compared to buying new?
Yes. Full replacement costs far more than professional furniture restoration. And by restoring, you extend the lifespan of your furniture.
What are the environmental benefits of restoring patio furniture?
Furniture restoration keeps furniture out of landfills, reduces demand for new raw materials, and cuts down on the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping new sets.
How long does restored patio furniture last?
With proper care, restored furniture can last just as long (if not longer) than brand new sets. A new powder-coated finish, mesh sling replacement, or vinyl strap repair can add 15 years or more to your pieces.
When is it better to replace instead of restore?
If the frame is cracked, bent, or structurally unsafe, replacement may be the best option. Extensive rust, mold, or rotten wood will also require new patio furniture. Otherwise, most cosmetic issues can be fixed.
What if my furniture is rusty or has peeling paint?
Rust and chipped coatings are common issues that can be resolved with sandblasting, rust treatment, and powder coating. Once restored, the finish is often more durable than the original.
What types of furniture do you restore?
We restore steel, aluminum, wrought iron, vinyl straps, mesh slings, and webbing on all your patio furniture to make it look new again.
Can restoration increase the value of my outdoor furniture?
Yes, high-quality furniture brands hold their value over time. Restoring them not only keeps them functional but also enhances their resale potential if you ever decide to upgrade.
Why not restore my patio furniture myself?
Refitting mesh slings, vinyl straps, and webbing requires precise measurements and installation. These materials can also be tricky to install so it’s best to leave them to a professional.
Ready to Restore Your Patio Furniture?
No one likes looking at worn out patio furniture. But are you ready to buy a whole new set of expensive patio furniture? Luckily, this isn’t your only option. Professional restoration services provide a cheaper alternative that makes your furniture look great and last longer. Request a quote today and transform your outdoor furniture to create a space you can be proud of.