Introduction
It’s time to store your patio furniture. This article will examine the effects of winter and resin furniture. Taking care of your outdoor wicker furniture when not used for long periods or during the cold winter will help offset expected degradation. Although your outdoor wicker furniture is manufactured specifically for staying outdoors, it’s still good practice and highly beneficial to take extra care once a year to extend your wicker furniture’s beauty and life. In addition, you should store your furniture in a dry place away from sunlight. This can potentially pay off by extending the life of your wicker furniture by years.
Furniture Components
Outdoor wicker furniture is designed with components that allow it to be used outdoors in all weather conditions. This design includes a material that does not fade or become brittle, from years spent outdoors to metal frames designed specifically to resist deterioration from the elements. However, nothing lasts forever. So, a more in-depth understanding of the material that your patio furniture is made from will help you preserve your furniture better.
Resin Furniture Components
Resin furniture is comprised of three basic components.
- Resin Cane
- Metal Frame
- Outdoor Cushions
Resin Is Susceptible To The Elements
The composition of each of these components will determine how long they will last. The most important of these is the resin. Today’s resins are suitable. However, many are still susceptible to a few things:
- The mix of resin ingredients give it strength, flexibility, and durability.
- The sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV) can degrade the resin unless enhanced by inhibitors.
- Different resins can shrink and expand to varying temperatures.
Storage Helps
If the mix of resin ingredients is inferior, such as in lower-grade resins, the resin will degrade more quickly and uncontrollably. These are typically referred to as “cheap wicker sets.” Compared to better resins, cheap wicker sets degrade quicker than those with better quality resins. Nothing can be done to prevent this either; not even storage will prevent degradation for a long time.
Prevent any degradation of your good quality resin furniture by storing it away from direct exposure to UV rays in a mild temperature environment. It is preferable to store your furnishings inside, where the risk of shrinkage caused by deep cold conditions is reduced drastically. Storing inside will also reduce any cracking in tightly wound areas or pullouts (cane that has pulled out from the end because it was not long enough to withstand shrinking and needs to be woven back in after it gets warm again) in your wicker furniture.
Cushions
Cushions should always be stored in a cool, dry, dark place where mice and other pests cannot access them easily. This will limit fading and animal damage.
Storing your furniture and cushions in an attached garage or basement is your best option. If you can’t do that, storing it in a shed or covering it with a good tarp is the best alternative.
Cleaning your furniture and storing it safely for winter ensures that stains won’t set in, and when spring rolls around, your furniture will be ready to put back outside to enjoy right away.
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