Most homeowners can attest to the fact that wind is a hassle. Anything above a gentle, cooling breeze can blow around patio furniture and knock your careful layout askew. At worst, you may have damage caused by a rogue umbrella or patio chair. Your neighbours may feel the effects of blown-around patio furniture, too. But finding windy deck solutions can feel challenging, especially if you don’t want to sacrifice looks or practicality. Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions for your outdoor space that can actually enhance the beauty and comfort of your patio.
Windy deck solutions for patio furniture
Patio furniture isn’t something you plan on repurchasing every time the wind picks up. Properly securing your patio pieces and taking a few preventative measures can help you keep the furniture you have, and keep it as pristine as when you bought it.
1. Umbrellas
Watching your umbrella take flight during a storm is a gutwrenching sight. Umbrellas aren’t cheap, and they can also cause damage during their impromptu journey through the neighbourhood. As shocking as it may be, the standard rule of thumb for keeping your umbrella stationary during high winds is to close it. It’ll be much less prone to catching the wind. If it stays closed the worst that could happen is it’ll tip over.
And since most umbrellas are secured to a heavy base or poked down through a sturdy dining table, the odds of a tip-over aren’t high. If you don’t have one of these bases, you can purchase one or create an umbrella base DIY-style.
Cantilever umbrellas, your windproofing techniques change a bit. You’ll still want to keep them closed during windy weather, but their tilting capabilities offer a new way to resist wind. Tilt your Cantilever umbrella into the wind, as the wind will push the head towards the weighted base. This configuration makes tips less likely and helps your umbrella stay sturdy and useable even if you have it open. This makes them excellent windproof patio umbrellas.
2. Dining Tables
Dining tables are prone to skittering around during high winds, which can be damaging to the furniture and your patio base. To secure it, you’ll first need a furniture cover.
Cover your dining set, with the chairs tucked in, and either tie or weigh down the table. The furniture cover allows you to place sandbags or stones on top of your dining set without risking damage.
Or, you can use bungee cords and hook them to the cover before connecting them to something solid. Rope works well, too. When you want to use your dining set, untie your lines or remove the weights and take off the cover.
3. Couches and Cushions
Couches and sectionals can be secured in the same ways as dining tables. The heavy use of couches and sectionals makes thorough battening-down a bit impractical, though, especially during the prime outdoor months. The cushions of your couch are typically all you’ll need to worry about blowing away on a day-to-day basis.
Chasing after cushions gets old fast, and frequent tumbles across your yard can leave your cushions stained and damaged. Preventing this is quite simple and can be summed up in one word; Velcro.
Use strips of adhesive Velcro to secure your cushions in place. Velcro is a discreet option that operates completely out of sight while still being highly effective. To make use of what’s around you, you can also pop baggies of sand or dirt into your cushions to give them extra weight.
4. Chairs and Side Tables
Your patio chairs and side tables have several windy deck solutions available to them. You can go for the tie-down method, which can be efficient for securing a stack of chairs or use adhesive gel to keep them in place.
Gels designed to keep fragile items secure during earthquakes are subtle and effective for keeping patio furniture in place, but moving it around after the gel is in place can be difficult. Stacking your chairs and moving them to a safe corner also works in a pinch.
One of the better ways to keep your chairs and side tables from cartwheeling across your lawn is to opt for heavy materials. Wrought iron is a great one, as is steel. If the frames are made from a heavy material, solid wood included, you won’t have to worry about the average storm or windy day blowing your chairs askew.
Windy deck solutions for your whole patio
Securing your patio furniture is a good idea even if you’re planning on putting some wind blocks in place. Adding wind blocks enhances the results of your securing efforts and makes your patio more comfortable for you and your guests.
1. Plant Shrubs or Trees
For a natural look, try planting dense shrubs or evergreen trees to create a wind block. A row of shrubs beside your patio slows wind and redirects it around your patio space. Shrubs are also on the cheaper side, and their long life means you’ll likely only need to plant them once to enjoy them for years. They do require a bit of maintenance to continually look neat and sharp, but the privacy and wind-blocking abilities they offer are well worth it for most.
2. Put Up A Fence
A fence offers both privacy and a wind block for your patio. To effectively block wind, and not redirect it up and over the fence, be sure to install a fence that has openings. Some fences are specifically designed to have a more open look-opt for these.
Be sure to use sturdy posts as you’re installing your fence to prevent any tips or rocking motions. Keep in mind that you’ll likely only need a small section, perhaps two or three posts, to shield your patio. This keeps costs low and your installation time short.
3. Buy Windscreens
If you want to skip the fence installation and shrub planting, you can buy windscreens from most home or outdoor retailers. For this option, you’ll find a variety of sizes, colours, and types available to suit your needs. This may be a more convenient option if you’re looking to protect an apartment balcony or a smaller yard where fences and shrubs aren’t a viable option.
