Outdoor Furniture Assembly Is About Durability
A balcony or patio chair assembled like an indoor one will rust, loosen, and blow over a NYC winter. Here's how to assemble outdoor furniture that survives.
Use Stainless or Coated Hardware
Swap the included zinc bolts for stainless steel on any joint that sees rain. A rusted bolt seizes and the piece can't be re-tightened. Coat the bolt threads with a rust inhibitor before assembly.
Assemble On-Site
Carry the boxes to the balcony and build there. A fully assembled patio set won't fit through most balcony doors, and carrying it up risks the joints.
Anchor Light Pieces
A balcony chair is a projectile in a 40-mph gust. Anchor lightweight pieces with zip ties to the railing or with weighted bases. Anything that can blow off a balcony is a liability.
Drill Drainage Holes
Some outdoor tables and planters trap water and rot. Drill a 1/4-inch drainage hole in any low point where water collects.
The Powder Coat
Aluminum patio furniture has a powder coat. A scratch through the coat exposes the metal to rust. Touch up any scratch with a matching paint pen before the season.
Cover It
Even weatherproof furniture lasts years longer under a cover. A $30 cover protects a $300 set through a winter.
Check Building Rules
Many NYC balconies have weight and anchoring limits. A heavy pergola may exceed the balcony's live-load limit.
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