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why is outdoor furniture so expensive?
Outdoor furniture is different from the home furniture. When you buy furniture for outdoor, you can see the difference between home furniture and outdoor furniture.
If you want to know, why is outdoor furniture so expensive? I will share some main reasons behind the expense of outdoor furniture. Such as Quality of material, durability, and water-resistant materials are some reasons that make outdoor furniture expensive.
1. Quality Materials
As we know, we keep the outdoor furniture outside the house. There are several factors like seasons, and warm, cold, and humidity affect the material of furniture. So wood such as teak or cedar is used to make outdoor types of furniture.
The material should be tough and weather-resistant. That is the main reason behind the expensive outdoor furniture.
Here’s a table outlining the prices of seven types of wood commonly used in furniture making:
| Wood Type | Price (per board foot) | Strength (out of 5 stars) | Durability Perial (out of 5 stars) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | $5 – $10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Maple | $4 – $8 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cherry | $6 – $12 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mahogany | $8 – $15 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Walnut | $7 – $14 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Birch | $3 – $6 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Teak | $10 – $20 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
2. Durability and Weather Resistance
Outdoor furniture is expensive so the user cannot afford it after some time. That is the reason why outdoor furniture should be more durable and weather-resistant.
Here are the aspects of different materials commonly used in outdoor furniture:
1. Teak:
Teak is most used for furniture, it is highly durable and known for its strength. It is costlier than the other woods. It can withstand outdoor elements and is resistant to rotting, insects, and decay.
Teak is naturally weather resistant, making it suitable for outdoor use in various climates. It can withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and humidity.
2. Cedar:
Cedar is known for its durability, especially when properly treated and maintained. It resists decay and insect damage well.
Cedar has good weather resistance, particularly against moisture and rot. However, it may require more maintenance compared to some other woods.
3. Aluminum:
Aluminum is lightweight yet durable, making it ideal for outdoor furniture. It is mostly used instead of iron or steel in types of furniture because It is resistant to rust and corrosion.
Aluminum is weather-resistant and rust-resistant that making it suitable for outdoor use in all seasons. It does not rust, even when exposed to moisture.
3. Design
Outdoor furniture craftsmanship and design can significantly increase the cost of furniture. In the outdoor furniture, most of the parts are handcrafted. That also makes furniture costlier.
Some factors that play a crucial role in both aesthetics and functionality. Here are some design aspects to consider:
- Style
- Comfort
- Functionality
- Versatility
- Space Optimization
Whether you prefer modern, traditional, or minimalist designs, all need experts to make outdoor furniture. For example, a dining table with extension leaves can accommodate different group sizes, or a storage bench can double as seating and storage space.
4. Demand
Demand and supply are basic concepts that affect the price of any product. In the USA and Canada, the demand for patio furniture increased in recent years, this demand also affects the cost of the furniture.
Outdoor furniture demand become popular in the USA and the EU countries. They want to spend more to purchase furniture for outdoor spaces, that are durable and high-quality products.
5. Additional Costs
1. Shipping Fees or Transport fees
Some Brand’s furniture imported outdoor furniture from other countries. That adds extra costs from $100 to $400 to the furniture’s final price.
2. Marketing expenses
One factor but not known by people, that is marketing. Billions of dollars are spent on product marketing. That also increases the expenses of outdoor furniture.
Why are outdoor patio sets so damn expensive?
byu/haltingpoint inHomeImprovement
Comparison of Woods and Metals for Outdoor Furniture
Below i am sharing a comparison table highlighting different woods and metals used in outdoor furniture, including price, strength, and other necessary information.
| Material | Price Range (per piece) | Strength (out of 5) | Weather Resistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teak | $500 – $2000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Moderate |
| Cedar | $300 – $1500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good | Low |
| Aluminum | $200 – $1000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Low |
| Wrought Iron | $400 – $2500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Moderate |
| Stainless Steel | $800 – $3000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Low |
Note: Price may be changed depending on various factors.
- Teak: Known for its durability and natural weather resistance, teak is one of the most expensive woods used in outdoor furniture. It requires moderate maintenance to preserve its appearance.
- Cedar: Cedar is a more affordable wood option with good strength and decent weather resistance. It requires low maintenance compared to other woods.
- Aluminum: Lightweight and rust-resistant, aluminum is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. It is easy to maintain and offers excellent weather resistance.
- Wrought Iron: Wrought iron is heavy-duty and sturdy, suitable for windy areas. It requires moderate maintenance to prevent rust.
- Stainless Steel: Highly durable and resistant to corrosion, stainless steel is a premium option for outdoor furniture. It has excellent weather resistance and low maintenance needs.
What Are Outdoor Furniture Made Of
Outdoor furniture is made of different types of materials. You can read the material below in the blog post. Here are some:
- Wood:
- Teak: Teak is known for its durability and natural weather resistance. That is the reason Teak is more costly than other woods. It is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. It requires minimal maintenance and develops a beautiful patina over time. Also, it is more durable than others.
- Cedar: It is another type of wood and lightweight, resistant to decay and insects, and has a natural resistance to moisture, making it suitable for outdoor use.
- Eucalyptus: It has more than 700 tree species. It is strong and hard. Eucalyptus is a sustainable hardwood with similar properties to teak. It requires regular maintenance to preserve its appearance and durability.
- Metal:
- Aluminum: It is Lightweight, rust-resistant, and easy to maintain, aluminum is commonly used for outdoor furniture frames and structures. Almunim is used instead of iron in the furniture.
- Wrought Iron: It is heavy and durable, wrought iron is known for its classic look and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. It needs rust preventive paint or sprays after 2-3 years, otherwise rust can damage your furniture.
- Stainless Steel: It is stronger than IRON and more shiny. The main benefits of steel is corrosion-resistant, stainless steel is a premium option for outdoor furniture, particularly in coastal areas or humid climates. But it makes furniture more expensive.
- Synthetic Wicker/Rattan:
- Resin Wicker: Resin Wicker is made of synthetic materials. Such as polyethylene, resin wicker mimics the look of natural wicker but is more durable and weather-resistant.
- Polyethylene (PE) Wicker: The PE wicker is UV-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean, making it ideal for outdoor use.
- Plastic:
- Polypropylene (PP): It is very Light in weight, more durable, and resistant to fading and moisture, polypropylene is often used for outdoor chairs, tables, and loungers. The durability of plastic furniture depends on the quality of plastic. After 3-4 years, plastic furniture is useless.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Similar to PP, HDPE is recyclable, weather-resistant, and suitable for outdoor furniture in various designs and colors.
- Fabric:
- Sunbrella Fabric: Sunbrella is a popular outdoor fabric known for its UV resistance, water repellency, and fade resistance. It’s often used for cushions, umbrellas, and outdoor curtains.
- Concrete/Stone:
- Concrete: Concrete furniture is durable, heavy, and suitable for outdoor use. It can be molded into various shapes and finishes for a modern or industrial look.
- Stone: Natural stone like granite or marble is used for tabletops and accents in outdoor furniture. It’s sturdy but may require sealing and maintenance.
