If you have just purchased a new 4-seater patio furniture set from us, then protecting it and you from the sun at this time of year is essential.
We would encourage you to not only purchase a suitably sized patio dining set for the area you have available and the number of people you like to entertain but also use it as much as you can in the summer.
Our 4-seaters are the perfect family-sized solution if you want to create an intimate, functional, and versatile dining area that enhances your lifestyle and the style of your outside space.
Why purchase a 4-seater patio furniture set from Lazy Susan?
A 4-seater patio table set from Lazy is perfect for small family meals, casual get-togethers with friends, or intimate dinners. It provides a cosy and comfortable setting that encourages conversation and connection.
The versatility of our collection means that, depending on the table size, our 4-seater patio tables can be also utilised as a 2-seater or 6-seater set.
However, if you have limited outdoor space, then a 4-seater set is an excellent choice. It fits well on smaller patios, balconies, or decks without overwhelming the space, allowing you to maximise functionality and create a suitable design harmony in your outdoor area.
That versatility also means our 4-seater table sets can be used in our garden for a host of purposes as well as patio dining. They are great for playing board or card games, working on outdoor craft projects, or enjoying morning coffee with friends. The table size makes it adaptable to different activities and perfect for entertaining.
With fewer seats, a smaller garden table and the low maintenance nature of our signature cast aluminium, a metal 4-seater set is easier to clean and maintain compared to larger sets and other materials. This is a practical option for those who want to minimise upkeep but maximise enjoyment.
Typically, a 4-seater set is more affordable than our larger 6+ sets., making them a cost-effective choice for those looking to furnish their garden without significant financial investment or those who want to zone their patio into different functions (lounging, dining, etc) with different types of furniture (dining table set, sofa set, etc).
Our smaller patio tables are lighter and easier to move around than the large, and this flexibility will allow you to easily rearrange your outdoor space as needed or store the furniture during off-seasons without too much hassle.
Having a dedicated outdoor dining area in your garden will encourage you and your family to spend more time outside, enjoying fresh air and nature, and provide the perfect spot for meals and relaxation. When the sun is shining nothing beats a patio table for engaging in conversation and enjoying quality time with your loved ones.
By choosing a 4-seater patio dining table set from Lazy Susan, you can create a practical, inviting, and stylish outdoor space that enhances your everyday living and entertainment experiences.
Why protect your 4-seater patio furniture set from the sun?
We want to enjoy our outside spaces but it is important to protect ourselves and our patio table areas from the sun for our health, comfort levels, and the longevity of our furniture investment.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous form. UV radiation can also cause painful sunburns, which damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer over time.
In terms of general enjoyment, a shaded patio area is cooler and more comfortable, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space even on hot sunny days. Direct sunlight can cause glare, making it difficult to read, see screens, or comfortably converse with friends and family.
When it comes to the furniture itself, prolonged sun exposure can cause the colour of resin and wood furniture to fade, which will quickly make it look old and worn out. Over time it can even weaken these materials, causing wood to crack and plastic to warp or break.
Our cast aluminium is protected with a tough durable powder-coated finish (our best-selling Antique Bronze finish is shown in the close-up above) that will not fade in the sun and can be left outside all year round. However, leave it in direct sunlight and it will get hot to the touch.
By protecting our furniture from the sun, you will ensure that it remains strong and functional. UV rays can also fade and degrade the fabric on our outdoor cushions, so a little shade is not only good for us, but it is worthwhile for our patio tables and chairs too.
How to protect yourself and your 4-seater patio furniture set from the sun
While our metal 4-seater sets will not fade or crack like other patio furniture materials, they can get hot in the sun. We looked at the suitability of metal in detail in our What is the best patio furniture material for a hot climate? article.
Here are 7 of our most effective strategies to keep you, your family and friends, and the furniture itself cool this summer:
1. Use outdoor garden furniture covers
If you don’t have indoor space to store in the off-season or you just like to leave your furniture in situ all year round, then we would recommend you invest in some high-quality, weather-resistant furniture covers.
They will protect your furniture from UV rays, rain, bird droppings, tree sap, dust, and essentially reduce the need to clean and help keep the furniture ready to use.
Just make sure they are made from water and UV-resistant but breathable and go for individual covers for the table and each chair as they’re easier to put on and less likely to blow off with a way to tie/secure them in place.
2. Apply a protective wax or sealant
Over the years we have tried several different products to help add a little extra protection to the painted finish of our cast aluminium. The one that we have found goes on best and gives the best finish is a light coat of carnauba-style car wax.
This gives the paintwork a nice lustre, adds an extra layer of protection against the sun and rain, and also helps to reduce the need to clean it a little.
Ensure the furniture is clean (washed with a car shampoo too), rinsed off and fully dry before applying and buffing with a microfibre cloth. Our How to apply car wax to metal garden furniture article looks at the why and how in greater detail.
3. Place the garden table and chairs in the shade
The best way to protect yourself and keep your garden dining area cool is shade. You can position your furniture in shaded areas of your patio or garden, such as under trees, pergolas, or awnings.
If natural shade is not available, then we would recommend you purchase one of our 2.5m Parasols and base (shown above). Available in a range of colours, they’re the perfect size for our 4-seater patio furniture sets.
Our tables come with a centre hole, while the parasols are showerproof, feature a crank handle so they’re easy to put up, and a tilt mechanism so you can angle them towards the sun and keep the glare out of eyes.
4. Use UV-resistant cushions and fabrics
If you have paired our patio chairs with our cushions, then they’re made from a quick-drying UV-resistant acrylic fabric that is designed to withstand sun exposure without fading or deteriorating quickly.
That said, we would still advise you to store them correctly when not in use to keep them clean and in good condition.
Our Should you leave patio cushions outside? article looks at why you should not leave patio cushions outside and we share some tips on how to protect and safely store outdoor cushions when you're not using them.
5. Regularly clean and maintain your furniture and outdoor space
Not one many people think of but keeping your metal patio furniture clean and well-maintained is essential in helping to protect it from the sun. Regular maintenance will help to preserve its appearance and functionality.
Never let dirt and debris such as food spills, bird poo, tree sap, pollen, etc sit on the painted surface for too long. Use a little washing-up liquid or car shampoo in warm water to wash it down with a sponge or soft-bristled brush.
Rinse with the garden hose on a spray setting to remove any soap residue, leave it to dry in the sun, and then apply the aforementioned car wax.
Avoid using any harsh chemicals that could damage the finish. You can use a pressure washer if you prefer but dial it down to a low/wider spray and don’t be tempted to hold it too close to remove any stubborn stains.
6. Use a protective metal spray
If you want to go with a belt and braces solution, then there are sprays available that offer UV protection for metal furniture.
Popular examples include Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear, Stressnomore Patio Furniture Waterproofer and Jenolite Metal Paint Protector. These sprays can help further protect the painted finish from the sun and generally just help to keep it cleaner for longer.
We do not think they are needed with our range due to the durable powder-coated finish, however, if you did want to go down this route, it would void your warranty, and we would definitely advise you to test first on an inconspicuous area to check the finish.
7. Touch up chips and scratches
Whilst we think car wax is a worthwhile task, we also think keeping your furniture in tip-top condition with our Spare Parts Shop is critical.
If you do happen to get any chips or scratches in the painted finish, which can happen with outside use, then touch it up immediately to prevent the sun from causing any potentially bigger issues.
Our article How to touch up paint chips and scratches on metal garden furniture article takes a closer look at how to do this with our Touch Up Paint Kits.
Cast aluminium is rust-resistant, but the painted finish helps further protect the raw metal from the elements and gives it a nice finish.
Our final thoughts…
Living in the UK we can sometimes forget how hot the sun can get on a sunny day. Just this morning the BBC weather team were reporting that we could see a 30ºC scorcher of a day this week.
At times, especially this summer, those days can feel few and far between between, however, to enjoy our gardens when the summer days do arrive, it pays to use these effective sun protection measures for us and our patio furniture.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to exposed skin. Long-sleeved t-shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses are also best worn to help shield our skin and eyes from harmful UV rays.
On our patios, utilise shade solutions such as parasols, awnings, pergolas, or shade sails to protect your outdoor dining areas and your metal patio furniture.
We don’t sell them but if you have an outdoor glass-topped table, they are best kept in the shade at all times or add a UV-resistant film to block a significant amount of UV radiation and prevent them from cracking if need be.
With any outdoor fabrics, such as our cushions and parasols, we would recommend you apply a UV-protective spray like Scotchgard’s Water Shield. Apply a light coat at the start of summer to provide an extra layer of UV protection.
By taking these simple precautionary steps, you can protect both your health and the longevity of your outdoor furniture, creating a safer and more enjoyable outdoor living space.
If you have one of our 4-seater patio furniture sets, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.
