8Nov
And Take Care Of Your Furniture
As the popularity of outdoor living continues to rise, more people than ever are buying new outdoor pieces for their patios and decks. In fact, 53% of millennials will be buying multiple outdoor furniture pieces this year.
While outdoor furniture is an easy way to upgrade your outdoor space and make it stylish and comfortable, it is also important that you learn how to winterize these things properly.
Do you want to learn more about how you can prepare your patio for winter? Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about how to winterize your patio.
Clean
Before you put away all your outdoor furniture for the winter, it is important that you clean your patio furniture. This will prevent them from growing mould while they are in storage, and it will make it easier to set your patio up in the summer!
First, wash all the fabrics you have with soap and water. If there are any stains, you can apply a stain treatment to keep your fabric looking new. To prevent mould or mildew from growing, give your furniture plenty of time to dry in the sun before packing them up.
You can also hose off any other patio decor you have, like flower pots, fountains, and more.
Once you have cleared off the entire patio, you can start cleaning it. You can start by removing the debris with a broom or leaf blower. Then, use a pressure washer to remove any stubborn gunk and debris.
This process will keep your patio looking new and will prevent stains from developing over the winter.
Store
Next, you need to find a place to store all of your outdoor furniture, appliances, and accessories for the winter. If you have a shed or a garage, these are great options to keep your belongings out of the snow and away from pests.
If you keep them indoors, it will keep your upholstery looking new and will prevent rust from developing on the metal areas of your furniture. Even if you cannot store your furniture indoors, you should invest in waterproof furniture covers.
It is necessary to protect patio furniture and accessories and to keep them free of moisture, as this can cause them to collect moisture and rot.
Protection
Not only can winter weather cause your furniture to mould and rot, but it can also be dangerous for the structures on your patio. For example, heavy snowfall can damage things like pergolas and awnings.
To protect your furniture, it is best to store it indoors or weighted down with heavy objects to prevent them from getting damaged in the wind. Depending on the type of material your patio furniture is made from, there are different ways that you should protect it.
Aluminum Furniture
Because you want to make sure aluminium furniture doesn’t rust, you must always bring them inside or cover them with a protective furniture cover. If you want to provide your aluminium furniture with extra protection from rust and the elements, you can use car wax to give an additional layer of protection.
Fabric Furniture
Fabric furniture is easily damaged in the winter, especially when it is left outdoors and uncovered. To make sure your fabric furniture does not get stained from the elements and to prevent mould and mildew growth, it is best to bring it inside for the winter.
Teak Wood Furniture
Teak wood is a great option for outdoor furniture if you live in an area with harsh weather. This is because it has naturally occurring oils that are water and rot repellent. This means that teak furniture offers more protection from the winter elements.
Still, it is best to use an outdoor furniture cover to provide your furniture with extra protection and to keep it clean and free of pests during the winter.
Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is easily damaged when it is left outdoors for long periods of time. Because of this, you should never leave it outside during the winter months. The extremely cold temperatures can cause the wicker to crack and warp, which can ruin your furniture.
Instead, try to find a space in your warmer shed or garage for your wicker furniture.
Plastic Furniture
Plastic furniture is quite durable and doesn’t require much maintenance. While it can often be left outside during the winter, you should still cover it and store it away from the wind to make sure it doesn’t blow away.
Repair and Maintenance
One of the last steps to take before you close off your patio for the winter is to do final repairs and maintenance. This will help your patio withstand the winter and will prevent the weather from causing more damage.
When you are repairing a concrete or stone patio, you must patch any chips, fill in the cracks, and replace broken stones.
If you have a wood deck, you can replace rotting boards, tighten the screws and railings, sand down areas that are peeling, and ensure that the stairs are level.
Seal
Once you have made final repairs to your patio or deck, you need to seal it! This sealant is water-repellant and will ensure that your patio is protected from the winter weather. Make sure you apply the sealant several days before the weather changes, so it will have enough time to dry and bond with your patio.
Enclose the Area
Something else that can provide additional protection for your patio is enclosing it. This will keep the rain, snow, and leaves out of your deck. Often, you can hang vinyl curtains from partially-enclosed areas to act as a waterproof screen.
You can also add panels to screened porches to help you protect your screens and retain heat.
Don’t forget your sliding door!
To protect your sliding door for the winter, it is important that you properly insulate it. This will keep your home warmer and will prevent cold air from seeping inside. First, make sure the door track is clean.
If the weatherstripping is old, you can replace it to provide a better seal. Finally, you can install a plastic window film or add caulk to the outside of your door to properly seal any cracks.
What about the grill?
Finally, you need to find ways to protect your grill and other outdoor appliances from the winter. Shielding these from the elements will prevent rust from developing on your grill and will ensure that it is ready for use once the weather warms up.
First, clean your grill thoroughly to remove any charcoal or debris from past cookouts. Then you can coat it with cooking oil, wrap your burners in plastics, and remove the battery from your ignition system.
Lastly, you can put a grill cover on your grill and move it to a covered area for the winter.
The Takeaway: Winterize Your Patio Today
The harsh winter weather can cause unnecessary weathering to your patio furniture and other outdoor living pieces. If you don’t learn how to properly winterize your patio, you may have to pay more to repair or replace your outdoor belongings.
By following each of these tips for patio winterizing, you will be ready to use them again during the summer! If you need help with patio care in Canada, Patio Comfort can help!
Contact our team today to learn more about patio winter care tips or get a quote for patio covers and accessories.