We have been so focused on balcony trends and balcony styling lately that one area we have not covered yet is how to protect and secure your outdoor balcony furniture.
We touched on the need for maintenance and the need to consider the level required in our guide to balcony furniture but we thought it would be helpful to look specifically at our collection.
Our outdoor balcony furniture is designed to be left outside, but it will still get dirty and need a little TLC from time to time.
This is nothing as extensive as say wood furniture, which will require regular sealing to keep it weatherproof, but balconies are still outside spaces.
Protecting and securing your balcony furniture is important to ensure it lasts for a long time, stays looking like new, is ready to use when the sun shines, and prevents any damage from the wind, sun, birds, regular use, etc.
Here are our top tips to help you protect and secure your outdoor balcony furniture:
How to protect your outdoor balcony furniture from the weather
The often-used mantra here at Lazy Susan is “prevention is better than the cure”. Look after your balcony furniture and it will last much longer.
Our collection is made from rust-resistant cast aluminium that is further protected with a tough powder-coated finish that is designed to last without any need to reapply. We looked at this in detail in our advantages and disadvantages of powder-coated aluminium garden furniture article.
The best ways to keep your balcony furniture protected are:
1. Purchase Weather-Resistant Furniture
Start by investing in outdoor balcony furniture made from materials that are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, such as our high-grade cast aluminium or synthetic wicker.
Balconies, even if covered, are still exposed to the elements, so you want materials that are weather-resistant but low maintenance.
2. Purchase Waterproof Cushions
The same applies to any outdoor fabrics you use. If your furniture includes cushions, then make sure they are at least water-resistant to prevent damage from rain or the sun.
Our collection is made from a fast-drying acrylic-based fabric, which is robust enough to withstand the temperamental UK weather.
They have removable, water-resistant, machine-washable covers, so can be easily wiped clean to get rid of any marks or spillages.
3. Purchase Outdoor Furniture Covers
When not in use, cover your furniture with weather-resistant covers.
This will help protect against rain, UV rays, debris, etc, and make sure they’re clean, dry and ready to use when the sun shines.
Our advice is to buy a bespoke cover for each piece (table, chairs, etc) rather than one large cover. They are less likely to blow off and easy to put on and secure in place.
Also, make sure they have a tie fastening so that they can be secured and they’re constructed from a breathable but waterproof fabric.
4. Bring Furniture Inside
During more extreme weather (such as all the high winds we have seen recently), our advice is to store your furniture inside or at least stack it carefully in a safe sheltered part of your balcony.
If the winds pick up to 50mph+ then even heavier pieces can be easily blown over and damaged.
Our cast aluminium is robust but for a metal is relatively lightweight. This is perfect for balconies but also means you can easily pick up even large tables and move them to prevent damage.
How to keep your balcony furniture secure
People often assume balconies are safe outdoor spaces due to their elevated position but that just makes them an easy target for opportunistic thieves.
We’ve read many a newspaper article whereby thieves have scaled buildings or climbed over from adjacent balconies to gain access, so it pays to be proactive if you think this could be an issue on your balcony.
The best ways to keep your balcony furniture safe and secure are:
1. Lock Up Your Balcony Furniture
If possible, lock up your outdoor balcony furniture to railings our secure pieces together to help deter theft.
You can use a cable-style lock (coated so it won’t scratch) to secure furniture to railings or other fixed structures. This can make it more challenging for thieves to take or move the furniture.
2. Install A Security Camera
Installing a simple Bluetooth battery-powered outdoor security camera overlooking your balcony is a great way to monitor and deter potential theft or vandalism.
They’re easy to install and you can connect them to your phone.
3. Anchor Bulky Balcony Furniture
For larger furniture pieces like tables or benches, you could also consider anchoring them to the balcony floor to prevent them from being easily moved or stolen.
There are a host of solutions and fixings available so look for one that works with your set-up.
4. Remove Cushions & Accessories
Whilst our cushions are weather-resistant and can be secure to our chairs and benches, it is still best to remove them when not in use. This will prevent them from getting dirty or being blown away if the wind picks up.
Our advice is to store them inside in a breathable storage bag (only put them away dry to prevent mould) and just pop them on when you need them.
5. Install Security Lighting
By illuminating your balcony with motion-activated lighting, you can deter intruders.
Criminals are less likely to target well-lit areas as it increases the risk of them being seen and caught.
Security lighting will also improve visibility on your balcony, making it safer for you to use when dark.
6. Report Suspicious Activity
If you live in a community or apartment building, then communicate with neighbours about keeping an eye out for each other's balconies.
This will enhance overall security and encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the building management or local authority.
How to maintain our outdoor balcony furniture
Our balcony furniture is designed for outside use and cast aluminium is the perfect material for the changeable UK climate.
That said, we advise a little basic maintenance to keep it clean and in tip-top condition.
The basic steps we advise all Lazy Susan furniture owners to follow to keep their balcony furniture maintained are as follows:
1. Regular Cleaning
Cleaning cast aluminium is easy to do, with no specialist products required and, it will keep your balcony furniture looking like new.
Our basic 4-step process for cleaning balcony furniture is:
- Brush
Start by removing any loose dirt, dust, or debris from the furniture using a soft brush or a dry, clean cloth. This helps prevent scratching during the washing process. - Wash
Mix a little washing-up liquid or car shampoo in a bucket of warm water. With a soft sponge or cloth, apply the soapy water to the cast aluminium surface, squeezing out much of the water if you want to avoid saturating your balcony. Gently wipe the furniture to remove dirt and stains. - Rinse
After washing, carefully rinse the furniture thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue. Use a hose on a mist setting or a bucket of water for this step - Dry
If it is sunny, then you can simply leave the furniture to air dry. Alternatively, if you want to speed the process up to use the furniture, then dry it off with a soft lint-free towel.
To keep your cast aluminium in good condition, clean it with the above method a few times a year. In between, just perform spot cleaning as needed with a damp cloth to remove any dust, etc.
Avoid using harsh chemicals, pressure washers or abrasive scouring pads. They can damage the furniture's painted finish and are not suitable for balcony use.
2. Inspect for Damage
Periodically inspect your outdoor balcony furniture for any signs of damage or wear. Address any issues promptly to prevent further deterioration.
3. Touch Up Chips & Scratches
If you do find any chips or scratches on your Lazy Susan balcony furniture, then they’re super easy to repair with our Touch Up Kits (as shown in the video below):
4. Tighten Screws & Bolts
Our furniture is supplied Ready-To-Assemble so some self-assembly is required.
Bolts can work loose over time, especially the screw-in protective feet we supply with all our balcony tables and chairs.
Check that all screws and bolts are tightened regularly to maintain the structural integrity of our furniture.
5. Apply Car Wax
As a finishing touch, we would also recommend the application of a thin layer of car wax to provide an extra layer of protection against the elements (helps moisture bead and run off) and give the paintwork a nice sheen.
We looked at this in detail in our How to apply car wax to metal garden furniture article.
You can customise all the tips above based on your specific circumstances, the size of your balcony, and the type of furniture you have.
By combining these measures you can significantly reduce the risk of damage or theft to your outdoor balcony furniture.
If you have any photos of your new Outdoor Balcony Furniture from Lazy Susan, we’d love to see a few for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.
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