The temperatures are beginning to warm up and summer is only getting closer and closer. This means that now is the perfect time to purchase a patio umbrella! Patio umbrellas are one of the most essential items to have for those people who spend a lot of time outside in those hot summer months. However, not all patio umbrellas are made equal. Different umbrellas have different features, so it is important to know which features are needed for you! Here is a look at the most important features of patio umbrellas that you should look for when buying.

Frame

Frames are important because of the differences in durability and design. The two main types of frames are wood and various forms of metal. Both of these types have their own unique benefits. While wooden frames can be more stylish depending on the design, metal frames usually last longer.

Tilt

The tilt style of an umbrella is something that must be looked at before a purchase is made. Tilting is very significant because it allows the user to get a more customized shade area depending on how they tilt the umbrella at any given time. There are various forms of tilting styles such as push-button tilt, auto/crank tilt, and collar tilt. Each of these styles has their own unique benefits.

 Lift

Lifting styles are another important aspect of patio umbrellas that need to be looked at. These styles come in two different options: crank lifts and pulley lifts. Crank lifts are generally used for heavier, more complex umbrellas, while pulley lifts are used for more standard umbrellas.

 Shade

The main reason why anyone purchases a patio umbrella in the first place is for the shade it provides! When buying an umbrella for your patio, make sure that you select one that can maximize the shade output. Take a look at the degree of tilting that the umbrella can manage as well as the size of the umbrella in general.

There is not much in life that is better than relaxing in the shade underneath an umbrella in the backyard on a warm summer day. Take a look at these four features the next time that you purchase a patio umbrella in order to buy one that is best for you! What other features of patio umbrellas are important in your buying decision? We would love to hear them! Let us know through our Facebook or Twitter pages, or in the comments below!

Ask any homeowner about which season of the year that their patio furniture gets used the most and they will tell you the summer! After months of cold weather have passed, people are eager to get outside and relax on their patio in the warm air. This is why having your patio furniture purchased and ready to go before the spring hits is a great idea. Here are a few other great reasons why now is the best time to purchase your patio furniture.

1. Less Current Demand

In some areas of the country, spring can often still be pretty cold. Warmer temperatures don’t necessarily arrive until the date on the calendar inches closer to those summer months. Because of this, people often do not think about purchasing their patio furniture until a little later in the year. Now is the time that you might be able to find better deals than if you were wait for a few months!

2. Memorial Day Effect

Memorial Day is known to all as the unofficial start of the summer. With kids being out of school and generally more family time being spent at home, patio furniture is most likely to see a spike in sales. With more people purchasing their furniture around Memorial Day, there is a greater chance that the specific piece that you want for your backyard may either be unavailable, or listed at a higher price than usual.

3. Take Advantage of the Spring

As we pointed out earlier, there are many areas in the U.S. that are still relatively cold in the springtime. However, if that is not indicative of the area that you live in, then one additional benefit of purchasing your patio accessories now is the extra time that you can utilized them! Purchasing your patio furniture now allows you to more fully take advantage of the spring weather.

Patio furniture is terrific to have regardless of the time of the year. However, now is the best time to buy. Have any questions about how to design your patio or which pieces of furniture to buy? We can help, just  comment below or contact us through Twitter, Facebook, or at 877-930-7070!

Patio furniture sets are often underrated. Many people collect patio furniture throughout the years, swapping in new pieces when others start to show their age. This leads to a montage of miss matched patio furniture and a huge patio eye sore. Consistent style and design of your furniture is much easier on the eyes than not having any uniformity at all. Furniture sets help homeowners to achieve a consistent and stylish look while containing all of the pieces of furniture that are necessary for a patio. However, there are various different types of patio furniture sets that can be purchased for your backyard. Here is a look at the two most popular patio furniture sets that you should look to for your patio!

Dining Sets

Patio dining sets are most effective for people who enjoy eating meals outside on a regular basis. These sets generally come with four chairs and a small table. Depending on the size of the group who usually eats with you, dining sets can increase in table size and the number of chairs. Another very popular option of dining sets is umbrellas. These umbrellas sit on top of the table and help to reduce sunlight and keep you and your company cool.

Conversation Sets

Conversational patio seating is much more relaxed and comfortable than dining sets. These sets usually have a two-seated sofa chair or love seat, as well as a couple more sofa chairs, plus a small coffee table or set of ottomans. Conversation sets are targeted more for those people who like to relax outside rather than eat meals outside.

Overall, patio furniture sets are not limited to dining and conversation sets. There are several other options as well including sectional sets and bistro styled dining. If you are having a hard time deciding which type of patio furniture you would like best, we welcome you to ask us any questions via the comments below or through our Facebook or Twitter. Furthermore, testing out different types of patio furniture is sometimes the best way to really understand what you are looking for. You can do this at any of our Arizona, Valley wide locations.

There are many types of materials that outdoor patio furniture is made out of and with that, there are many different choices to choose from. How on earth do you decide which is best for you and your family? Some things to take into consideration when choosing the right outdoor furniture are, weather and climate, storage, and how you plan on using your furniture.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron furniture has a reputation for being extremely sturdy and durable. Most wrought iron patio furniture brings a classic look to your patio and comes in modern colors and finishes. Wrought iron is a heavy metal and will stand its ground; this makes it perfect for climates that are known for their windy conditions. The downside to wrought iron is it has a tendency to rust so it is recommended to be stored away during the winter months. If you think wrought iron is the choice for you, take into consideration how you will store it and whether you want to deal with heavier furniture.

Aluminum

Aluminum furniture is very popular these days for several reasons. The first being it is a light weight metal and can easily be rearranged, stacked and stored during winter months. Another great thing about aluminum is it doesn’t rust or corrode making it easy to maintain and perfect for climates that receive a lot of rain. Things to take into consideration are its lightweight reputation and whether or not that will be an issue for your weather patterns. No one wants their furniture to dance in the wind!

Wood

Wooden furniture is a tricky one! No one wants patio furniture that is prone to splinters and cracks. To avoid this, look for wooden furniture that is a heavier, denser wood. These types of wood include teak and eucalyptus because they naturally resist all kinds of weather which reduces the chances of rotting and bug infestation. Another thing to look out for is how the wood furniture is held together. Glued wood will not hold up after a few seasons of use. If you find a patio set that you just love and it is not a heavy wood, make sure you treat it with sealant at least once a year.

Spring is almost here and you know what that means, the birds are out and singing! The first thing you need to do to start the bird watching process is to attract the birds to your patio by providing them with a few simple necessities.

What do birds need?

• Food
• Shelter
• Water
• Nesting sites

Food– Providing food is most important for those states who get a full winter. Most birds arriving for spring have just flown on their long migration journey and are in need of proper nutrition. The best way to deliver birds with proper nutrition is providing many bird feeders with a variety of bird seeds; this will help migrating birds recover from their long trip as they get ready to begin nesting.

Water– Although spring is known as the wet season, we recommend you keep running water and a few bird baths around your patio area to attract birds flying by. The easier it is to get to water, the more likely a bird is going to stop! Because birds molt in the spring, it is important to check baths regularly to discard any feathers and keep the bird bath clean.

Shelter– This is another very important aspect for birds especially in the colder states. We all know, that just because its spring, doesn’t mean the nights are going to be warm. Having proper shelter can be life or death for small birds that are unable to survive in harsh, cold weather. Make sure you have a few roost box’s around your yard. Planting early leafing plants will also attract birds that are seeking shelter.

Nesting areas– In the spring, birds number one priority is to find a good, sturdy and reliable nesting site. To better attract birds to nest in your yard there are a few things you need to do. First, make sure you have a few bird houses big enough for nesting around your yard. If you already have bird houses, make sure you clean them out and repair any damages that may deter them from picking that location. The next important thing is to make sure you keep your bird feeders full at all times.

Need new patio furniture to comfortably bird watch from your patio? All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings have tones of comfortable selections both big and small to accommodate your needs. Come on down and visit us at our store front or shop online!

It is still a bit cold out but before you know it, it will be time to start your yearly spring cleaning. There is nothing more rewarding or more liberating then clearing your house of clutter and organizing for a new season!

One place people often forget to tidy up is, their patios and porches. Start this years spring cleaning with your outside patio or porch with the following tips. Remember nothing is more inviting than a clean and tidy space to entertain guests!

1. Power Washer:If you don’t already own a power washer, its time to invest in one! Using pressure washers is a great way to clean up all of the previous years dirt, leaves and grim from your patio or deck. Without the use of toxic chemicals; the absence of chemicals is good for both your patio and the environment.  The best thing about using a pressure washer is, no matter what your patio is made out of whether that is wood, cement, or brick power washers are safe and will do the job! Many power washers also come with a detergent chamber, allowing you to add eco-friendly soap just in case you need a little extra help!

2. Cleaning your patio furniture: Depending on the type of patio furniture you have you can either continue using the pressure washer or you can switch over to a garden hose. I suggest using a garden hose for nicer pieces of patio furniture since using a power washer can add unnecessary wear and tear to your nice collections.

• For Wicker furniture, first vacuum with an attachment to remove any dust and other particles. Then gently wipe down with a mixture of mild soap and water. After this is done, take your garden hose and rinse thoroughly.

• For Wrought Iron, use a mild soap and water mixture with a sponge. Let the sponge soak for a few minutes and then wipe the wrought iron in a circular motion. It is best to only work in small sections at a time. Next, simply hose down with your garden hose making sure all of the cleaning product is eliminated.

• For Aluminum furniture, use a mild dish soap and lightly wipe down the whole piece. Next you need to take care of any scuffed areas. To best remove these, try a gel or liquid non-abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub. This will likely remove the scuffed area without damaging the finish. Rinse thoroughly with your garden hose.

3) Patio Umbrellas: If you left your patio umbrella outside or in a shed all winter, expect the creepy crawlies to be hanging out. Umbrellas are a great shelter for all types of bugs trying to get away from the winter chill. Another types of insect to look out for are, yellow jackets especially in the mid-west and east coast states. In the fall, male yellow jackets get kicked out of the nest and must find their own shelter for the winter and a patio umbrella can be the perfect spot. On the upside if you clean your umbrella in early spring when it’s still cold out, the yellow jackets will still be in their comatose state, presenting no immediate harm. Take a broom and brush them off, they will likely fall to the ground until they warm up enough to fly off.

To clean your patio umbrella, hose off spider webs and other dirty spots. After you do this rinse off and scrub the fabric gently with a mixture of water and dish detergent. Using this water mixture instead of other chemicals will insure that your umbrella’s water resistant coating will not be stripped off.

At All American Fine Outdoor Patio we have a large selection of luxury patio furniture as well as, patio accessories. Please visit your closet locations or shop our selection of patio furniture online!

It’s getting chilly out, which makes it the perfect time of year for a fire pit get together! Sometimes there is just nothing better than going back to our ancestral roots and enjoying time with family around a fire.  Since fire pit season is at its peak, it’s a good time to discuss the importance of fire pit safety.  Here are a few pointers on how to be safe this winter around your fire pit!

• 1. Fire pit placement- It is important to make sure, when you decide where to place your fire pit, that it is placed in a spot that is safe. Do not place your fire pit near any flammable materials or liquids. Some flammable liquids include gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid or vehicles while in use.
• 2. Fire Extinguisher- A fire extinguisher seems a bit obvious but you would be surprised how many households don’t even own a fire extinguisher! Having a fire extinguisher nearby your fire pit is one of the most important rules to fire safety! If you don’t already have one, make sure you go out and purchase one before you start up your fire pit. Be sure to also read over the extinguisher directions a few times, and become familiar with how it operates. Becoming familiar with how it operates will ensure that you know how to properly use it if an emergency were to happen.
• 3. Unattended fire pits- Leaving a fire pit unattended is like leaving a child unattended, it’s just not worth it.
• 4. Dress appropriate- Never wear loose fitting clothes around a fire and avoid nylon fabrics.
• 5. Never use flammable fluids for help- I am sure you have done it before or have seen friends do it and sometimes when the fire just won’t light, using gasoline or lighter fluid seems like a great idea. Until you catch on fire! It happens a lot, so be safe and never use flammable fluids to help start a fire or maintain it.

Looking to add a fire pit to your backyard? Here at All American we have a large selection of outdoor fire pits to complement your existing outdoor patio furniture. Here are a few of our top sellers!