Winter is coming upon us, and with that, so are the changes of the weather all around us. As people, we know that when temperatures drop and the weather changes, there are certain things that we must do in order to keep ourselves warm and healthy. Your patio furniture is not different. Without the proper care and storage during the wintertime, the life expectancy of your patio furniture could be drastically altered. Here is a look at some easy steps to take in order to properly store your outdoor furniture during the winter.

1. The first step in proper storage is the cleaning of the furniture. Use cleaning solutions to help eliminate all of the dirt and grime that has built up on your furniture over the past months.
2. Before you begin to figure out how the storage process is going to work. You need to make sure that all of your furniture has dried off. Wet spots can cause rust and deterioration.
3. Determine if you have room inside a garage or shed. Smaller furniture that can easily be moved is perfect for storing inside of a shed or garage. However, not all houses have sheds or room in the garage. That is okay.
4. Stack all of the light furniture. Outdoor chairs can easily be stacked, which can save room and make things easier to store.
5. Get furniture covers! If you do not have space to store items inside of garages or sheds, then furniture covers are a great option. These covers will keep the furniture warm while preventing it from any other inclement weather, which will in turn extend the life of these pieces of equipment.

Being proactive during this time of year is one of the best ways to lengthen the time that your patio furniture is going to be effective. By following these steps, no longer will you have to worry about the winter weather affecting your outdoor furnishings. If you have any specific questions about storing patio furniture during this time of year, contact us via Facebook or Twitter, or in the comments below!

Here at All American Fine Outdoor Furnishing, we are pleased to announce that we are opening a brand new store in Chandler, Arizona.

Location

The specific address of our new location is 2860 W Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85224. The store will be in the Northeast lot off of the Loop 101 Freeway and Chandler Blvd in the “Chandler Festival” shopping area. We are located next to the New Balance store. If you are familiar with the area, it is on the opposite side of the freeway from Chandler Fashion Square Mall.

Dates

The grand opening for the store has not yet been determined, however, we have a soft-opening schedule for the 15^th of January 2014. Don’t be afraid to stop by. Additionally, we are going to put up our sign on the store on January 1^st!

We are so happy to be joining the Chandler neighborhood! Please come say hi on the 15^th of January and check out the store. We will get the Grand Opening date announce as soon as possible, along with a phone number for the new location. If you have any questions about the new store, contact us in the comments below, through Facebook or Twitter, or give us a ring at 877-930-7070.

Christmas is only a couple weeks away! If you have not already begun to put up your outdoor decorations, then there is a pretty good chance that you are probably scrambling for ideas. Here are a few outdoor Christmas decoration ideas that will bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to your patio.

• Decorate a Wreath

One of the easiest ways to add a Christmas feel to your patio is by putting up a wreath on the door! Yes, this is a pretty common, but it is very effective. However, don’t be generic. Buy a wreath from the store that comes plain and not pre-decorated. This is where you can personalize your own wreath to develop the feel that you want. Add ribbons, bows, bells, lights, or whatever you want to make your wreath it’s own.

• Add Some Glee With a Mini-Tree

Another quick way to add some Christmas spirit to your patio is by buying a mini-Christmas tree. These trees can come in any size, big or small. You can buy a two-foot tree that comes pre-decorated or you can choose to go with a bigger tree and decorate it yourself. The bright side is that there is no wrong decision. Most people have a tree inside their house, but not many have one outside. Be different and spice up you patio with a tree!

• There’s No Such Thing As Too Many Lights

A few extra Christmas lights won’t hurt anyone. The easiest way to create a Christmas atmosphere on your patio is by putting lights on the existing furniture.

• Santa Claus is Coming to Town

If you have kids, then this may be the most popular idea. Christmas inflatables are becoming increasingly trendy. They come in anything Christmas from Santa to snowmen. Find a spot on the patio that can easily and safely access an electrical outlet and you are well on your way to having the coolest patio in the neighborhood!

Don’t let Christmas pass you by without putting up proper decorations! We would love to hear any other patio decoration ideas that you have done to your patio. Let us know by commenting on our Facebook or Twitter pages, or via the comments below!

When constructing a patio for your backyard, one of the biggest decisions that someone has to make is which type of stone that they want to use for the flooring. There are several different types of stone that can be used for this situation, but two of the most popular stones used for patios are flagstone and slate. Both of these types of stones have their advantages and disadvantages, and knowing these are critical for selecting the correct stone for your patio. Let’s take a look at these two types of stone!

Flagstone

• Advantages: One of the biggest advantages of having a flagstone patio is that flagstone comes in many different styles and color tones. This variety of choice comes in handy when customizing your patio to look the exact way that you would like. Another huge advantage of flagstone is that it is very durable. Flagstone is made up of tough material can usually stand harsh weather conditions for long periods of time.
• Disadvantages: The biggest disadvantage of flagstone comes when preparing to install. Because this type of stone comes in a variety of sizes and thickness, laying down an even surface for the patio becomes a hard task to complete.

Slate

• Advantages: A big reason why slate is so often used for patios is that it is waterproof and very heavy-duty. Because of the texture of slate, any type of water, such as rain, will not erode the rock. This texture also plays a big role in the durability. Owners of patios that are constructed of slate rocks do not have to worry about fixing the tiles too often.
• Disadvantages: Although slate can withstand water and is waterproof, it is usually a glossy stone that can occasionally become slippery. Also, because of the glossy finish, this stone can become particularly cold in the wintertime.

Overall, both of these types of stone have their own unique advantages and disadvantage that come into play when thinking about what to use for your stone patio designs. We would love to hear from you about your experience with these two types of stone being used for patios! Contact us through the comments below, or on Facebook and Twitter!

The fall season is fully upon us. With Halloween in the rear view mirror and Thanksgiving staring us down, it is the perfect time to spice up your patio furniture to match the festive fall season. Here are three ideas that can help you when decorating your patio for fall.

• Switch Up The Fabric

If you have outdoor patio couches or chairs, this is the perfect way to help create a more festive atmosphere. There are several different options of holiday fabrics that are put onto pillows and cushions that fit great on outdoor furniture. You have the option of creating these holiday accessories yourself, or you can buy them at a local hobby store. This is one of the simplest and quickest ways to add more holiday spirit to your patio. 

• Pumpkin Patch

No, it is not necessary to grow a pumpkin patch in your backyard solely in order to create a more festive patio, but adding a couple pumpkins as decoration will not hurt anyone. When people think fall, one of the first thoughts that comes to most people’s minds are pumpkins. Add a couple pumpkins around your door or the patio furniture and you will instantly have people thinking “autumn” when they step outside.  

• Autumn Rugs

One last way to add some holiday flavor to your patio is by throwing down an autumn-themed rug. Outdoor rugs are very common on most patios, but when buying a year-round rug, most people get more general colors and designs. Buy purchasing an autumn season rug, the colors and designs of the rug will be more affective in giving off a festive fall feel.

Outdoor fall decorating ideas do not have to be overly complicated. These are three very simple and quick fall decoration options that can help to bring the fall out of your patio. If you have any other cool fall decoration ideas, we would love to hear them. Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter sites!

The patio of your home is a sacred place. It is somewhere that you can spend time alone, or with your loved ones, while enjoying the fresh air and being outside.  Privacy is one of the biggest keys to being able to enjoy your patio and generally, the more private your patio is, the more likely you will be to spend time out there. However, not all patios are created equal. Some patios do not come with a sense of privacy, but fortunately that is something that can be changed. Here are the four best patio design ideas for adding privacy to your deck.

• Plant Some Trees

Planting trees are not only a way of bringing your patio to life, but can also help towards your goal of making your deck more private.  Unlike bushes or other shrubbery, trees are a great way of creating a barrier without using up most of your backyard.

• Build a Fence

This is probably the simplest idea for helping to create more privacy for your patio. By selecting where you would like for your fence to go, it is a great way for secluding your patio to the lengths that you want.  Of course you are going to block off an outside view with the use of a fence, but it will also make for a much more intimate deck area.

• Work Around Your House

An easy way to seclude your patio is by using your house as a barrier or a wall. Find the most remote area of your backyard and create your deck there. Your house is great for not only being a wall on one side of your patio, but it can also help to drown out sounds from a direction that may be loud.

• Add an Awning

Another great way of making your patio feel more private is by adding a roof.  Awnings are the perfect type of patio roofing. Awnings help your deck feel more comfortable by blocking out the sun, but can also block some of the side view out depending on the kind that you purchase.

In reality, there are hundreds of different ideas out there that can contribute towards privatizing your patio. We believe that these are four of the best ways, but would love to hear your ideas! Want more information on how to design a patio, check out our blog featuring 4 outdoor patio design tips. Let us know by contacting us on Facebook or Twitter, or leaving a comment below!

Fall is the perfect time of the year for owning an outdoor fire pit. With the weather cooling down and the nights becoming relatively chilly, there are many excuses that can be made for going out back and starting up the fire. Here are some fun activities that can be shared with your family around the fire pit this fall!

• Cooking: Throwing food on the grill, or heating something up in the oven are both ways of cooking that are used by everyone on almost a daily basis. However, there is something special about cooking your food over the fire. It is not too often that someone has the opportunity to do so, so when you do get the chance it is unforgettable. You may be thinking, “What can I even cook over an outdoor fire pit?” There is no need to worry because there are plenty of options! Hot dogs, corn on the cob, and marsh mellows are all great possibilities. There are even metal grates that you can purchase to put over the top of your fire pit that will allow you to cook a lot of different things, such as pizza.

• Relaxing: Sometimes the best feeling of being outdoors around the fire is that of relaxation. If you have had a long day, or if you simply want to get outside in the cool weather, relaxing by the fire is the best choice. Make sure to complement your fire pit with comfortable seating and you may never want to get up!

• Ghost Stories: This is the perfect activity if you have children. There is nothing more spooky than going outback at night, turning off all of the lights in the house, and sitting by the fire while telling a good old fashioned ghost story. Roast marsh mellows and let your imaginations flow for this classic activity.

If you do not already own an outdoor fire pit, then this is the time of year where you are severely missing out. Fire pits are one of the best pieces of outdoor furnishing that one can own, especially as the weather begins to cool down. If you have a fire pit, or have ever spent the night around one, we would love to hear your favorite fire pit activities! You can let us know by commenting below, or through getting in touch on Facebook or Twitter.

An outdoor fire pit can be one of the most elegant and soothing purchases that someone can make for their patio. The comfort and relaxation that comes with sitting outside by the fire is unmatched by any other piece of outdoor furniture. However, when purchasing a fire pit for your patio it may become difficult because of all of the options available. There are marble, granite, aluminum, slate, iron, and many more types of fire pits and choosing between them may become a nightmare at some point or another. While the decision between these types of fire pits is totally up to you, here is a little information about the benefits you receive when going with cast aluminum fire pits.

Low Maintenance: Everyone’s favorite part of having an aluminum firepit, or any firepit in general, is the time that is spent actually enjoying the firepit itself! The benefit of cast aluminum firepits is that they do not rust, unlike iron. Because of their inability to rust, cast firepits make themselves very easy to take care of. No longer will you have to spend hours trying to find the best way to remove rust from your firepit, and instead you will have much more time to enjoy the fire.

 Last Longer: Going along with the fact that they do not rust, cast aluminum firepits are also very durable in the sense that they do not crack very easily. Because of this, these firepits are able to last through many types of different weather. From heavy rain to high temperatures, cast aluminum firepits are going to be able to maintain their beauty and effectiveness at the same time, leading to a longer useful lifespan.

Lightweight: The final “L” of cast aluminum firepits are that they are lightweight. Because of this advantage, these firepits are very easy to move if the one that you purchase is, in fact, a mobile firepit. Instead of struggling to move the firepit around for special occasions, cast aluminum firepits make this possibility very likely.

When choosing the type of fire pit that you want for your outdoor patio, there are many features that you can look at. If you are having a tough time deciding, remember the three “L’s” and see where that leads you! We would love to hear if you have any personal experiences with cast aluminum fire pits. Let us know by commenting below, or interacting with us via Facebook or Twitter!

                                         Aluminum vs. Wicker Patio Furniture

There are many types of patio furniture available to choose from when shopping for a luxury patio set. The two most popular choices for patio furniture are aluminum and wicker. Both of these materials are fairly easy to take care of and are much lighter in weight then wrought iron for example. So which one should you choose, aluminum vs. wicker patio furniture? Below you will find a quick overview of the pros and cons to both aluminum and wicker patio furniture.

Aluminum Patio Furniture

There are two common types of aluminum outdoor furniture. Aluminum and cast aluminum. Your standard aluminum patio furniture is usually cheap and is most commonly found in big box stores such as Target, Home depot and Target.

Cheap aluminum furniture is composed of hollow tubular pieces that are assembled together and welded to create the frame. These hollow tubs make aluminum furniture extremely light weight and easy to store. These types of patio furniture are the go-to for families who need patio furniture that can be easily stored and aren’t looking for something that lasts many years.

Cast aluminum furniture is created from a specially designed mold that is filled with molten aluminum. Not only does this process make cast aluminum much heavier then your hallow tube aluminum furniture, but more durable as well. Cast aluminum furniture often has intricate designs and will last much longer.

How do you clean aluminum furniture? It’s surprisingly easy, click the link to learn more.

Wicker Patio Furniture 

Modern wicker patio furniture is no longer made from natural materials because it is not resilient enough to last over time. When made with natural materials, wicker furniture dries out, cracks and unravels. In order to fix this problem, most wicker is now made with resin wicker. Resin wicker is made out of polyethylene, a plastic that is strong enough to last harsh sunlight and other weather conditions.

Resin wicker is extremely comfortable because of its elastic but sturdy properties. Furthermore, resin wicker is very easy to clean and maintain. First, use your vacuum attachment to remove dust and debris. Second, gently wipe down your set with a rag and a mixture of mild soap and water and rinse with your garden hose.