As the temperatures are beginning to cool down and you’re spending some time in your outdoor entertaining area, it probably has you thinking about your outdoor furniture (and if it will be able to withstand the harsh New England winter).

Source: freedigitalphotos.net

As a furniture maker in Boston that has frequently worked with outdoor wood furniture, I wanted to offer the following tips to seal out the elements for your outside furniture:

• Pay attention to the finish. Think of the finish that you select for your outdoor wood furniture to be similar to applying a sunscreen to your skin, coating it well to protect from harmful UV rays. Your best bet is to begin by painting your wood furniture with a quality primer, and then follow it up with an exterior latex or oil-based paint of your choice. Make a point to avoid using deck stains on your untreated outdoor wood furniture as it won’t provide the protection that your furniture needs.
• Sand it well. Before painting your outdoor furniture, always sand the surface of your furniture down to the bare wood. Many people choose to skip this important step, which dramatically shortens the lifespan of outdoor wood furniture.
• Seal furniture thoroughly. None of your wood furniture should be left unfinished. Seal everything, including the joints, the area underneath the furniture, and even the bottoms of the legs.
• Re-coat your outdoor wood furniture annually. Even the best finishes will wear down over time, and depending on the weather elements that your furniture is exposed to, re-coating annually will be necessary in order to maintain the quality of your furniture.

For more ways to protect your outdoor wood furniture as the winter months approach, please contact me, Richard Oedel, Fine Furniture Maker in Boston.