This should be the second most important criteria when selecting any furniture for that matter. Listed below are some rules of thumb when selecting quality patio furniture
Joints -
Mortise and Tenon - look for mortise and tenon joints. They are the best by far. This is where one end of the wood has what is called a tonque or tenon and this piece fits neatly into a grove or mortise. ( more information and pictures on left of page, choose type of wood and look for construction links ). this is the strongest as all four sides of the wood form a contact with the other piece of wood. This is expensive...
Rabbit - this is where your one piece of wood joins to another piece of wood on two sides. Not as strong as mortise and tenon but cheaper to make.
Hardware - Most medium and large ( overseas ) manufactures use some sort of hardware ( bolts, screws, plates ) to secure the pieces of wood together. There are many different types of connections. Find something that will join each surface by at least 2 bolts if not 3 or more. This option is may be more expensive than Rabbit joints but usually not as much as mortise and tenon. The hardware can get pricey if it is exposed. The problem with hardware is that it may not look good if the hardware is exposed ( to view ).
Quality of wood -
The quality of wood is usually rated on the number of knots or blemishes in the wood. the higher the grade of wood, the less knots and blemishes. The less knots, the higher the price. Also, the thickness of the wood makes a big difference both in quality and price.
Fabircs -
This gets a little more tricky to determine. There are very pretty fabrics originating form overseas that look good for a while but then will faid and rip after just a single season. Try to find fabrics that will not fade, get heavier fabrics and specialty fabrics designed for outside use. Nylons and other plastic derived fabrics are usually the best choice. Cotton will fade very fast and will not stand up to the rigors of outdoor use.
As with most manufactured items, the better the quality of product, the more the item will cost. Now the question is, how to get high quality products at lower prices? See this post regarding How to buy quality items for less.
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wood patio furniture
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patio furniture buyers guide
