Waterproofing deck furniture is essential for your outdoor space to look and function great. It means you’ll help your wood chairs, tables, and benches against water damage, and you’ll enjoy them for a longer time.
When undertaking this project, though, many homeowners ask about the best way to waterproof deck furniture.
Should you paint, stain, or seal your outdoor features? Let’s find out!
Painting Deck Furniture
Painting deck furniture is a great way to waterproof it while adding a pop of color and new vibrancy to your outdoor space.
Painting can also help repair any damage to the wood, such as cracks or discoloration. Whether you are looking for a bold statement or a subtle accent, the painting will surely spruce up your outdoor furniture.
Needless to say, but painting will also waterproof deck furniture, as long as the paint quality is good and the application is correct. Besides, paint also works on metal and wrought iron, making them even more rust resistant.
Some of the best paints for outdoor furniture are:
- Acrylic is a great choice for waterproofing deck furniture because of its durability, resistance to fading and cracking, and superior adhesion. It also requires minimal prep work and can be applied to both wood and metal surfaces.
- Latex paint is a popular choice for waterproofing deck furniture because of its ease of application and high durability. Latex paint is more flexible and won't crack or fade, even when exposed to direct sunlight or heavy rain. Also, you can apply latex paint over stains, making it a great choice if you already have a finish on your furniture.
- Water-based paint is a type of paint made with synthetic resins that are water-soluble and contain fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Compared to oil-based paints, water-based paints are more durable, easier to clean, and faster drying. Besides, they're safer to waterproof deck furniture with.
Staining Deck Furniture
Stain is also an excellent way to waterproof outdoor furniture and protect it while providing an attractive finish. Staining will help the wood against moisture and other elements, adding a decorative touch.
In addition to protecting against water damage, staining can help conceal any imperfections in the wood grains, making it look cleaner and more attractive.
Like paint, you can choose from various wood stains for outdoor furniture, such as water- and oil-based stains.
If you want to waterproof patio furniture, staining them is easy and fast, but it’s important to ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and maintenance.
Note: while paint allows you drastically change the appearance of a wood or metal bench, chair, or table, you can only use stain for wood, and it comes in much fewer colors.
Sealing Deck Furniture
Sealing your deck furniture is an effective way to waterproof it while also creating a protective barrier against dirt, dust, and other elements. Sealing will help keep your outdoor furniture looking great while preserving its natural beauty.
You can use a variety of sealers for outdoor furniture, such as acrylic sealer, oil-based sealer, and water-based sealers. Acrylic sealers are popular for sealing deck furniture because they protect from water damage and fading.
Sealing is a great option if you want to keep the natural look of the wood of your deck furniture. It offers great protection against water damage but doesn’t change the appearance of your furniture too much, and it doesn’t hide imperfections.
Keep in mind that even teak wood, a very tough and resistant wood species, need to be waterproofed. In the long term, even the morning dew will be a reason of concern for your deck furniture.
What To Do With Outdoor Deck Furniture In The Winter?
This is a relatively big problem for many of our customers. Many lack the extra storage space needed to store away the deck furniture in the winter. If you’re in the same situation, here are some alternatives.
#1. Cover The Deck Furniture
This is far from the best way to keep your furniture dry during the winter, but if you have no other solution to protect your deck or patio furniture from inclement weather, this will do just fine.
All you need is a large tarp to cover every piece of decking furniture, make sure snow or rain has no way in, and you’re all set. Sure, it might look cheap, and not everyone will appreciate the idea, but it’s better than nothing!
#2. Carry Them Under The Deck
If you have an elevated deck, you can use the space under the decking as an accessible storage space. This place is much dryer than out in the open, and it’s definitely a good enough space to keep your wood tables and chairs during the winter.
You can go the extra step and still cover them with a tarp just to be sure you won’t have to deal with nasty surprises when bringing them out again.
#3. Get A Built-In Storage Space Before Winter
By far, the best way to keep your outdoor furniture away from a harsh winter is to store them in an accessible place specifically designed with this in mind.
Here at Deck Bros, we’re professional carpenters with a great sense of practicality. We can custom-build you anything for your deck, from a large pergola to cover the entire surface to a small storage space that’s perfect for keeping away chairs, tables, and benches.
Get in touch with us, and we can find an optimal solution to help you store the deck furniture over the winter.
Conclusion
Waterproofing deck furniture should become a priority as winter approaches. Sealing, staining, or painting will give you outdoor space better chances to go through the winter without any serious consequences.
However, if you want to guarantee your expensive furniture won’t suffer any damage whatsoever, the best way would be to get a custom-built storage space on your existing deck.
At Deck Bros, we’ve built homeowners spacious and subtle spaces where they can put their deck furniture over the winter without being in anyone’s way. They’re highly accessible and will definitely cost less than buying new decking furniture.
If you want to learn more about waterproofing deck furniture or what are some other options to ensure longevity for your patio furniture, call us today at (402) 369-5724 or request a free quote!