What Does Weather Resistant Mean?

Before you invest in outdoor furniture or accessories, make sure they'll hold up when exposed to heat, cold, rain and snow. The tag reads "weather resistant," but you might not be sure what that means. You don't want to waste your money, so understand the meaning of "weather resistant"

Select outdoor furniture that will hold up well.

before decorating your patio or deck.

Definition

A weather-resistant product can resist exposure to a range of weather conditions, from sunlight and heat to humidity. A weather-resistant patio set, for example, can withstand weather conditions that would lead to surface deterioration on non-weather-resistant materials. Weather-resistant furniture holds up as well on hot and humid summer days as on cool, rainy days. Weather resistance represents the product's ability to stand up against a range of weather conditions.

Weather Resistant Vs. Weatherproof

A weather-resistant product is not weatherproof. Weather resistance doesn't mean that the product can hold up against extreme or severe weather conditions. A weather-resistant lounge chair, for example, can handle typical hot or cold temperatures, but strong winds or hail can potentially damage the product. Weather-resistant products are not indestructible; they simply can withstand greater climactic changes than their non-weather-resistant counterparts.

Considerations

Treat weather-resistant products with care, even though they're naturally more durable than pieces that you keep indoors. For example, if you live in a cold climate that sees months of snow and ice, move your patio furniture to the shed or garage in winter to extend its life. Cover cushions or grills with protective, weather-resistant covers to eliminate unnecessary wear and tear.

The Bottom Line

With weather-resistant products, you have peace of mind that your investment will hold up well in typical weather conditions, including rain, humidity and heat. However, it doesn't mean that the weather cannot impact -- or even damage -- your product. The more care you give your weather-resistant products, the longer they'll last.

The Drip Cap

Before you invest in outdoor furniture or accessories, make sure they'll hold up when exposed to heat, cold, rain and snow.
Weather resistance doesn't mean that the product can hold up against extreme or severe weather conditions.
A weather-resistant lounge chair, for example, can handle typical hot or cold temperatures, but strong winds or hail can potentially damage the product.