Choosing an outdoor lounge chair: our answers to your questions

Although this summer is already coming to an end, if you want to get new outdoor furniture for next summer, you’ll need to order it now. This is because the unusual spike in demand resulting from the pandemic has created unprecedented delays in the supply chain.

Is the selection so vast that you don’t know where to begin? It can be difficult to know what to choose: should you opt for a hanging lounge chair, a wooden lounge chair, a lounge chair made of rattan, or one made of resin? Or maybe a lounge chair with a built-in umbrella?

Here’s some expert advice to help you answer those questions and more so you have a better idea of how to proceed!

What are your needs?

In order to choose the outdoor lounge chair that’s right for you, you must consider several different aspects. How do you intend to use it? Do you plan to use it every day or only occasionally, for example, when having a get-together with friends? How much comfort do you require? And what’s your budget? Starting by clearly determining your needs is a step in the right direction!

Here are a few avenues to explore to help you find the chaise lounge of your dreams:

• What type of material is most appealing to you? What’s more important to you, comfort, looks or both?
• How much space do you have available? A deck definitely offers fewer possibilities than a huge back yard!
• Do you like chaise lounges with armrests? Or do you prefer an adjustable option (so you can sit up or lie down)?
• What kind of design do you find most attractive?
• Are you looking for something that’s easy to move (when the time comes to store it away for winter)?
• Do you have a pool? If so, it’s better to avoid models that need cushions and opt instead for chaise lounges with straps.

Types of material: what choices are available?

The choice of material for your outdoor lounge chair isn’t something you should take lightly. The quality of the material will determine how long your outdoor furniture lasts. There are several different materials on the market, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. It’s up to you to determine which one best meets your needs.

Wooden lounge chairs

In addition to offering a warm, natural appearance, wood is exceptionally solid and durable. Wooden furnishings have a timeless look that blends in beautifully with all types of décor. They’re also fiercely resistant to the elements!

Resin lounge chairs

Outdoor furniture made of resin is expressly designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. Lightweight, easy to move and requiring minimal maintenance, it’s also more affordable and available in a variety of styles. For example, you’ll find resin wicker and injected resin.

Resin wicker exudes a great deal of charm and offers the additional advantage of retaining its color for a very long time. It’s also highly resistant to UV radiation and temperature fluctuations.

As for injected resin, it offers the same advantages in addition to coming in a vast selection of colors, shapes and finishes.

Rattan lounge chairs

Valued for its warm, exotic style, rattan is also lightweight and durable. It’s an excellent choice for outdoor furnishings, as it can withstand exposure to the sun without risk of deterioration. This makes it an ideal choice for an outdoor lounge chair, whether for a backyard, the terrace of a restaurant or a hotel. You should also be aware that rattan is equally resistant to the heat and the cold.

Should you opt for lounge chairs alone or combine them with Adirondack chairs?

Once again, it all depends on how you intend to use them. Do you like to bask in the sun, dry out in the sun or both? Or do you want to get lounge chairs so you can host your friends and family? Do you want a comfortable place to read or to keep an eye on your kids while they’re in the pool? Did you answer “yes” to all of these questions? Then why not opt for a combination of the two types of chairs so you’ll have more flexibility? This way, you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Lounge-chair maintenance: not to be neglected!

Even if you only use your outdoor furniture during the summers, it will still be exposed to variable weather conditions. Rain, wind, humidity and the heat of the sun can all cause the material to become stained, dirty or yellow. That’s why it’s essential to adopt the appropriate cleaning techniques if you want to preserve your furniture for a long time to come.

In general, cleaning chaise lounges made of resin, polymer or metal (aluminum, wrought iron or alloys) is a simple procedure. Mild soap, a soft brush and a thorough rinse with a garden hose will do the trick.

You’ll be happy to know that the underlying aluminum or stainless steel structure of a synthetic rattan chaise lounge won’t rust. Therefore, you can hose it off without worrying about ruining it.

Do you have wooden lounge chairs? This material requires a little more care in order to preserve its natural beauty. To prevent oxidation and damage from the sun, we recommend applying one or two coats of teak oil at the beginning of the season. You can also use a bleaching agent to clean the surface and eliminate stains.

Do you need help choosing your outdoor lounge chairs?

For more information on the different models of lounge chairs available to you, you can count on JML Inc. We’ve been specializing in patio furniture for more than 30 years!!