How to Keep Outdoor Furniture From Blowing Away
8 tips to help you secure and protect your patio furniture from the wind
There is nothing quite as relaxing as sitting on the back porch enjoying the sunset with a light breeze drifting through the trees. Of course, it's also pretty annoying to walk outside and discover that the furniture on your patio has been damaged from heavy wind.
The good news is that it's relatively easy to secure your patio furniture and protect it from sudden gusts of wind, at least if you have the right measures in place. To help you achieve this, we've compiled eight tips to help prevent your outdoor furniture blowing away.
1. Invest in Heavy Furniture
One of the best ways to prevent your furniture from flying away in a strong gust of wind is to purchase furniture that is not easily moved due to its design. When picking your outdoor furniture, there are a few different recommended materials to consider:
- Wood
- Wrought Iron
- Cast Aluminum
- Steel
Furniture made from these materials will be heavy, so it's unlikely that a high gust of wind will move them. It may be wise to consider a few other additional measures on this list, but the heavier the furniture, the harder it will be for Mother Nature to move. Of course, that also means that you may have a more difficult time moving the furniture. If you like to put your furniture away or move it around periodically, the hefty weight may make this challenging for you. Also, be aware that the iron and steel could potentially leave marks on your patio or deck.
2. Plant a Windbreak
A planted windbreak is a group of thick plants or trees that help to block the wind in a certain area. During harsh winds, some of the air will still probably get through, but it will lose much of its force during the process. This will help keep your patio furniture secured in place and add a nice aesthetic element to your landscape. Depending upon which shrubbery you select, it can complement your yard and provide a nice backdrop for a picnic or party, as well as create privacy for your backyard. If you let it grow high, your plant windbreak can also double as a sun blocker and provide shade.
3. Get a Weighted Umbrella Base
When it comes to outdoor furniture, the umbrella is the main piece that gets swept away by the wind. Its arched frame causes it to act as a sail in the wind. Obviously, if you notice that the wind is starting to pick up, the best course of action would be to close it before any damage occurs. But, you won't always be around to take these preventive measures. To help counteract this, there are a number of accessories that will help anchor the umbrella in place.
The most notable accessory is a weighted base that is designed specifically to secure the umbrella rod and keep it from flying away. Often filled with water or sand, this type of base is the best way to prevent the umbrella from flying away. Depending on the design of your patio table or dining set, you may even have the option to anchor the umbrella base to the table as well.
4. Stack Your Chairs
If you have lightweight chairs on your patio, chances are that they will tumble their way around your patio or yard with even the faintest whisper of wind. To prevent this from happening, consider stacking them and storing them in a corner whenever you are not planning on using them. Naturally, this consolidates the weight of the chairs, which then helps anchor and keep them in place. Another side benefit of this method, should it rain or snow, you are less likely to need to wipe off each chair before using them again.
5. Use Earthquake Gel
Earthquake gel was created to keep glass from slipping off of furniture and breaking during earthquakes, but savvy homeowners have also found it to be quite effective at keeping patio furniture in place. The gel is a clear compound that you can place on the bottom of the legs of your table and chairs, and it will keep your furniture from blowing away. It's worth noting, however, that the gel will make it a bit more difficult to move the furniture freely whenever you want to; however, if you remove the compound you can move your furniture. The gel is easy to find at a hardware store and is very affordable.
6. Stake & Anchor It
If you are using or keeping your outdoor furniture in a grassy area, it's recommended that you utilize stakes to help anchor them in place. If the design of the furniture allows, you may be able to loop the stake through the legs of the furniture and then anchor it securely into the ground. Otherwise, you may need to use chains or wires to connect the stake to the furniture.
If you want to stabilize the furniture on a concrete patio or another hard surface, utilizing anchors may be more beneficial. While very effective at securing your furniture, it will require some planning and, possibly, some professional assistance.
7. Secure With Bungee Cords
When you do not plan on using your patio furniture for awhile, you can keep it all secure by wrapping a bungee cord around all of the pieces. The elastic in the cords will help keep them bound together as one unit, and the combined mass of the furniture will work act as a natural anchor to prevent any of it from blowing away in the wind.
In the case of extreme weather conditions, you can connect the ends of the cord around a permanent object in the yard, such as a strong tree or fence post. Or, maybe you're not worried about your patio table but you have additional furniture on your patio that may be more prone to fly away. If so, bind those smaller items to the secure table with smaller bungee cords. For extra security measures, you can use a cable and a lock to keep it all in place.
8. Bring the Furniture Indoors
Patio furniture is becoming increasingly trendy and it is not uncommon for individuals to use it inside their home. There are obviously many pros and cons with doing this, but bringing the furniture inside your home will instantly provide more seating space as well as add a different element to the décor in your home. Especially if your patio set is a neutral color, you can dress it up a variety of ways with decorative pillows and other accent pieces.
If you do not have a use for it in your regular living space but you do have a basement or man cave, you may consider utilizing the furniture to create a relaxation den for those cold winter months. However you choose to use it, bringing your furniture inside is one of the best ways to not only prevent it from blowing away, but to also care for and preserve it for many years to come.
How Do You Keep Your Outdoor Furniture Secure?
There are ways that you can keep your patio furniture in place, but these methods are just a few of the favorites that we've heard about from consumers. Not only do they keep your pieces functional and looking nice for years to come, they work great at securing them no matter the season or weather condition.
