Decay, corrosion, rust, and mildew — rainy weather absolutely wreaks havoc on non-water-resistant outdoor furniture.
The good news is that rain doesn’t have to be the bane of your patio’s existence. With the correct materials, fabrics, and a little elbow grease, patio furniture can withstand all kinds of weather. From torrential downpours to light drizzles, manufacturers create products for any conditions.
So if you have a great outdoor space and live in a damp area, do your research. You’ll definitely want to buy the best patio furniture for a rainy climate.
When it comes to weatherproofing your patio furniture, a good defense is the best offense. But how do you build an appropriate defense?
For one thing, you can invest in furnishings built from weather-resistant fabric and materials. You can’t have the best patio furniture for a rainy climate without taking care of this fundamental bullet point.
Patio Furniture Material For Rainy Weather
At this point, you may be wondering what the best materials for a rainy climate actually are. We’ll divide it into three categories: furniture, fabrics, and cushions. First, let’s evaluate the best materials for patio furniture:
- Resin-based wicker
- Teak / Acacia wood
If your patio furniture is constructed out of the above material, it will definitely stand up to even the wettest climate. Let’s go through each one and detail why they’re the best choice.
While many metals fall victim to rust, others are invincible, unyielding, and strong. Of all the varieties that can endure rain, humble aluminum is the champion. Aluminum stays waterproof because, unlike iron and steel, no iron is used during the smelting process. Rust itself is iron oxide — no iron, no rust.
When aluminum oxidizes, a protective layer forms around the underlying non-oxidized aluminum. This protective layer actually fends off corrosion better by keeping moisture at bay.
Therefore, when it comes to rainy weather, aluminum is scientifically proven to be excellent.
Poly-stone is a statuesque cement mix of polyurethane resin and powdered stone. It can be sanded and molded into any shape you can imagine. The grainy texture also imbues patios with a gritty touch of chic. Poly-stone makes our list of great materials because the resin prevents it from absorbing water (or anything else). As a material, poly-stone will definitely stand up to a rainy climate.
It’s no secret that I love rattan patio furniture. The earthen charm really strikes a chord in my heart. However, rattan can be quite vulnerable to sustained rainy weather. A deluge of rain and excessive moisture causes the usually-sturdy material to lose much of its strength.
If you love the look of rattan but want some extra weatherproofing, a great alternative is resin-based wicker.
It mimics the natural texture of rattan aesthetically, giving you the natural look you want. Additionally, resin wicker fully combats mother nature with its braided synthetic material. The spacious weave between the twine has enough room that water can’t settle (and mold can’t fester).
Poly-propylene is extraordinarily durable and strong. Being virtually impenetrable, it’s also immune to everything moist. The dense material is simply impermeable by water. Because of this, rot and mildew are kept at bay. Saltwater has very little effect on the slick texture — that’s how sturdy it is!
Teak / Acacia wood
Hailing from forests around the world, both teak and acacia are natural, water-resistant woods. You can think of these trees as being literal water warriors! Their natural habitats can be humid, monsoon-prone places. This sort of environment would cause other types of wood to rot. But not teak and acacia!
This is why the wood is a top hardwood floor choice for yachts and boat decks. If it can thrive on the open seas, it can definitely work on your outdoor patio.
I also wrote a great article about whether Acacia was good for patio furniture. If you’re curious, you can access it here: https://captainpatio.com/is-acacia-wood-good-for-outdoor-furniture. Additionally, I wrote about common acacia wood disadvantages.
Fabrics For Rainy Weather
As you know, the furniture itself isn’t the only thing exposed to inclement weather. You want your fabrics to resist water, mold, stains, fading, and anything else mother nature has in store. However, you also want those fabrics to be comfortable to the touch! Here are the best rainy weather fabrics that are both water-repellent and comfortable.
Acrylic fabrics are very versatile: they can be both a show pony and a workhorse. Somehow it manages to simultaneously be easy on the eyes, silky to the touch, and resistant to the elements. It also manages to be fade-resistant, owing to the fairly modern dye process. The process of engineering is such that the fabric gets dye applies before being knitted, resulting in a product that won’t fade in the rain.
Polyester fabric has come a long way since the leisure suits of old. Now, it gives you a tight, organized look with minimum stretching/shrinking.
Being a petroleum product, polyester repels water like a champ. It also manages to remain comfortable to lay on, although the air-tight, un-breathable nature of the fabric can cause folks discomfort after a while.
Cushion Materials For Rainy Weather
With the furniture and fabrics out of the way, let’s examine patio cushion material for rainy weather. Unfortunately, we have an additional consideration when picking out the cushions. If you’ve ever sat down on a water saturated patio cushion, you know exactly what I’m talking about!
Often, the cushions on your patio furniture become waterlogged from rain. This can result in a very soggy bottom. Additionally, mold and mildew also result from spongy pillows. This is terrible for your health and your furniture. Buying the right kind of cushion will go a long way toward preserving patio furniture set (and your pants!).
There’s only one recommendation to make here: buy patio cushions constructed of quick-drying foam (lest you have to worry about getting rid of the smell). This miracle foam is made for the outdoors and is built to allow water to flow right through. Because it’s porous, it dries exponentially faster than it’s non-weatherproof cousins. You’ll still have to let the wet cushions sun-bathe after a good rainfall. However, you won’t have to wait nearly as long!
Best Patio Furniture Sets For Rainy Climates
Naturally, quality control standards vary wildly between manufacturers. Customer service, attention to detail, and level of warranties are all things you want to double-check before purchasing. This is especially true for rainy climates!
Luckily, I did the research so you don’t have to. I wanted to make sure that the patio furniture I picked didn’t just look great in the store, but also stood up to all that Mother Nature had to throw at it. So, what did I find?
The truth is, patio furniture construction technology has evolved so much that you can expect most furniture (of an appropriate material) to be weather-proof and hold their own against the elements.
With that being said, I did find two different sets of the best patio furniture for rainy climates. And this was my shortlist. I’m still deciding which one looks best, but they should all withstand the rain.
Best 5-Piece Set
Most Weather-Resistant Set
Caring For Your Patio Furniture
Patio furniture requires a bit more care when placed in rainy climates. In addition to UV rays and normal wear-and-tear, the moist environment is a hotbed for mold and mildew. This means that you need to be more diligent than drier, more sunny areas.
The same rules apply, of course. But here are some tips to help you make your chosen patio furniture set stand the test of time.
Keep Your Furniture Covered
When not in use, you should keep your patio furniture covered (even if it’s weather-resistant). Yes, rainwater will bead up and roll off of weather-proof cushions. However, you want to protect your precious patio furniture from more than simply water. Bird droppings, pine needles, pollen, and other materials can stain and damage your cushions and furniture. Simply investing in a good cover can save you a wad of cash (and who doesn’t love that?).
Avoid Standing Water
Standing water is the scourge of any patio furniture setup. Not only does it attract mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects, but it facilitates the growth of mold and mildew. Weather-resistant patio furniture is typically good at draining any standing puddles, but the area you really want to look out for is your covers. A sagging patio furniture cover can cause water to pool, causing the aforementioned problems.
Store If You Can
When not in use, the best thing you can do for your patio furniture is simply to store it away. In the off-season, consider moving your patio furniture to a clean, dry location. A storage shed is a great place for it.
This does a couple of things. Naturally, it keeps the furniture dry and away from the elements. However, it also shields it from potentially harmful UV rays, animals, and bird droppings. If you have the space, it’s really a no-brainer.