When it comes to outdoor patio furniture brands there are many great and trusted manufactures to choose from. All of the brands we carry here at All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings are ones that we trust and know produce only the highest quality patio furniture collections. Some of those brands include: Summer Classics, Parker James and Tommy Bahama.

Summer Classics

Summer Classics has always been an industry favorite and has helped shape the luxury patio industry that we know today. Founded in 1978, Summer Classics started out as a plastic umbrella base manufacturer and today produces a wide variety of accessories and patio furniture sets including resin wicker, cast aluminum, wrought aluminum, teak and wrought iron.

Parker James

Parker James prides themselves on manufacturing amazing and unique, casual patio furniture designs. Founded in 2002, they are known for combining the best materials and finishes to provide long lasting furniture. Parker James pulls inspiration for their patio furniture designs from many different parts of the world and they are constantly updating their collections to ensure a wide range of diversity.

Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama is our newest manufacturer that we carry here at All American. You may be familiar with the Tommy Bahama brand already as they are best known as a high-end retailer. In 1995 Tommy Bahama opened their first stand alone, retail shop in Naples Florida and the rest was history! Tommy Bahama now sells a large variety of items including apparel, beach gear, and of course, patio furniture!

Aluminum is a low maintenance metal; it does not rust and requires minimal up-keep when exposed to the elements. This makes aluminum the perfect material for outdoor furniture. Depending on your climate aluminum furniture, on average, only requires a quick cleaning every couple months. Extreme climates may require monthly attention. Here is a quick guide on how to clean your aluminum outdoor furniture.

Calcium build-up on aluminum furniture

Although aluminum does not rust, it is known to build up calcium. If you notice a large build-up, do not use an abrasive material to try and remove the calcium. This will strip away any finish it may have. Instead, try using 1 part white distilled vinegar and 9 parts water. Use this solution along with a rag.

How to clean Aluminum Furniture

All you will need is some mild soap, water and sponge or rag. Wipe down your furniture making sure you as much dirt and dust you can. We have found that using warm water works best. If you have access to a hose, give your aluminum furniture a good raise and dry well.

*Note* Using hard chemical cleaners such as bleach can damage any kind of paint or finish to your aluminum.

To learn more about how to clean different patio furniture materials click here.

Large amounts of outdoor furniture sets are made from some form of aluminum. There are many reasons why aluminum, both tubular and cast, is one of the most popular choices for outdoor structures today.  Below are some common questions we hear in regards to aluminum patio furniture.

What is the difference between an aluminum furniture set and cast aluminum furniture set?

Your typical aluminum outdoor furniture is most often composed of hollow tubular pieces that are then welded together to create a frame. These aluminum tubes allow for the patio furniture to be light weight and easy to transport and store. This type of aluminum furniture is most commonly found in big box retail stores such as Target or Home Depot and is usually relatively cheap. For many situations, this type of aluminum is perfect, but due to the limitation of the aluminum tubes, this type of furniture often lacks detail.

Cast aluminum furniture on the other hand is solid, making it heavier than its standard aluminum counterpart. Cast aluminum furniture starts with making a mold. The mold is then filled with molten aluminum and allowed to cool. Using a mold allows for cast aluminum furniture to feature intricate design elements, making these pieces much more sophisticated and stylized.

Can aluminum rust?

No! Aluminum cannot rust, which may be the number one reason why aluminum is such a popular metal used in outdoor furniture and accessories. We strongly suggest purchasing aluminum framed furniture if you live in high moisture areas such as coastal regions as well as states that see high humidity throughout the year or summer.

Is aluminum sturdy?

This answer depends on which kind of aluminum we are referring to. While tubular aluminum is hollow and lightweight, it is fairly sturdy but it does have its limits. For sitting purposes though, you won’t have to worry, but don’t expect your furniture to last more than a couple of years.

Cast aluminum on the other hand is extremely sturdy and durable due to its solid state. Unlike tubular aluminum, if you tried to bend or break this solid chunk of metal, you won’t have much luck! You can expect your cast aluminum furniture to last you a good 10+ years.

Can aluminum handle high wind speeds?

When it comes to tubular aluminum, depending on wind speeds, it is likely that it will blow around in strong winds, especially if there are cushions that allow the wind to catch. On the other hand, while cast aluminum furniture is still lightweight enough to easily move around if needed, it is heavy enough to withstand some pretty strong wind speeds.

Do you have a question about aluminum patio furniture that we didn’t cover? Let us know! We would love to answer any of your questions regarding aluminum or any other patio furniture materials. Leave us a message in the comments or tweet us your questions @AZPatio.

Shopping for an outdoor patio set with an umbrella can be a pain. There many different styles and fabric choices to choose from. It doesn’t end there either, after you decide what collection you like best, now you must decide which style umbrella you would like along with any other patio décor you feel necessary.  So for this week’s blog post, we are going to showcase some of our favorite collections along with our favorite styles of patio umbrellas to help you narrow your choice down.

Patio Sets

The Calais Collection by Parker James

The Calais Collection by Parker James is one of our favorite collections because if its unique wicker weave. This collection features head-woven, UV-resistant resin strands that are woven into four-inch squares giving this collection its unique wicker design.  This collection group set comes with the following pieces:

• 1 Sofa
• 1 Club Chair
• 1 Motion Club Chair
• 1 Loveseat

Bonus Feature: With this wicker weave fashioned over a rust-free aluminum frame, this collection is fairly light weight and easy to re-arrange.

The Sedona Collection by Summer Classics

The Sedona Collection not only is one of our favorite patio sets, but is one of our best sellers as well. This wicker set is a reinterpretation of a wicker set you would see in the 1960’s, just much more durable! This wicker weave features a classic braided edge made from N-dura resin wicker.

Bonus Feature: This collection is hand-woven, producing great detail within its design.

Patio Umbrellas

The Cantilever Umbrella

The Cantilever umbrella is our number one choice when it comes to recommending patio umbrellas. The Cantilever umbrella was designed to utilize all of a shaded area by removing the center pole and placing it to its side. This allows for a much larger area to be used for patio chairs, and tables! Learn more about the different types of umbrellas here.

You might be surprised to learn that all weather wicker and resin wicker are one in the same. You may also be surprised to learn that while resin wicker looks like “natural wicker” it is in fact made from a synthetic material. Even more surprising yet, unknown to much of the population, wicker does not refer to the material used but rather the weaving itself. So, what other surprises does wicker hold? Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about wicker.

Where does the word “wicker” stem from?

The word wicker comes from a Scandinavian word “Wika” meaning “to bend”.

What was wicker originally made out of?

Wicker was originally made out of natural materials such as fibers and rattan. Rattan is known for its elastic tendencies and comes from a vine-like tree called Rotan. Because of its elasticity, rattan is the most popular material found in old wicker baskets, hampers and chairs.

Why is natural wicker uncommon today?

Real wicker is not as resilient as polyethylene, the plastic that is most commonly used to make resin wicker. While polyethylene is extremely durable and requires little maintenance, natural wicker becomes dry and brittle overtime. Natural wicker would not survive long term in harsh weather such as rain and direct sunlight. Natural wicker can still be found today but only for indoor purposes.

How weather resistant is resin wicker?

Resin wicker is extremely weather resistant and can handle all types of harsh elements. Polyethylene fibers are not only resistant against the suns harsh UV rays but also humidity and water as well. Worried about fading color? The color is added during production and actually becomes a part of the fiber. Worrying about chipped or faded paint will not be an issue.

Is resin wicker as comfortable as wicker made from natural materials?

Resin wicker is just as comfortable, if not more, as wicker made from natural materials. As mentioned before, it is very elastic and sturdy. It is this combination that gives all weather wicker patio furniture its reputation. 

 Is resin wicker hard to clean? 

No, resin wicker is one of the easiest patio furniture materials to clean! For more information on how to clean different types of patio furniture, click here.

A patio umbrella is a patio umbrella, right? Wrong! Not all patio umbrellas are made the same. It is important when shopping for a new umbrella that you are aware of the different types of outdoor patio umbrellas you have to choose from. A while back we talked about the different mechanics within umbrellas, touching on the different ways they crank and tilt, but today is dedicated to discussing cantilever umbrellas specifically.

How are cantilever umbrellas structured different?

Cantilever umbrellas are unlike most patio umbrellas that you would typically see around town. The most obvious difference is its physicality and structure. Unlike most patio umbrellas, Cantilevers are not held up by a middle pole but rather hung from an arm that is attached to a pole situated to the side.

What are the benefits of a Cantilever structure?

Your typical, standard patio umbrella has a limited range of motion due to its structure. The position of the pole, in the middle, restricts the umbrella to only 4 basic ranges of motion; open & close, left tilt, right tilt.  The structure of a Cantilever umbrella on other hand is extremely versatile. This umbrella can be turned, twisted, lifted and lowered in pretty much any direction. This allows for you to be shaded no matter where the sun is.

Is there more shade cover with a Cantilever umbrella?

All umbrellas come in many different shapes and sizes but typically Cantilever umbrellas have a much larger shade surface than your traditional market patio umbrella.  Our average market umbrella size is around 9’ while our cantilever umbrella average is 11’ with 13’ being our largest. Furthermore, the absence of the middle pole allows you more versatility.

Are Cantilever umbrellas harder to maintain?

Although they look strange they are no harder to maintain than your traditional market umbrella.

Cantilever umbrellas are easy to move around and easy to store.

Designing a brand new outdoor patio space can be an overwhelming experience. Where do you start? How big should it be? What shape, square or round? What kind of material, brick, concrete, stone? There are many variables involved when it comes to planning a patio, so these questions do not have a right or wrong answer. However there are things you can take into consideration that will help you answer some of these tough questions.

Patio Location– There is no wrong or right location to where you decide to place your patio. Most people tend to build their patios near their back door but consider the following. Are there any large trees in your backyard that offer natural shade? Areas with natural shade are the best patio locations because it allows you to enjoy your patio throughout most of your day.

Shape- The shape of your patio will largely be determined by the size and shape of your back yard. If you have a fairly spacious back yard the options are limitless. If your yard is smaller you are going to want to consider the patio/backyard ratio. Round patios always look bigger than they really are and are easier on the eyes. Adding plants and flowers around a patio will also soften the borders, making your patio flow smoothly into the rest of the landscape.

Size– The size of your patio will vary depending on not only the size of your lawn but also on how you plan to use your patio. What kind of activities will take place? Do you plan on entertaining guests? How many guests? Is it just a place to relax and read a book? Do you want an outdoor fire pit? How about an outdoor bar area? All of these questions are important to determine before you decide on size.

Materials- There is 3 main materials that are most commonly used for patios; poured concrete, brick and stone. Poured concrete is great because you can stain it to match your home and it is easy to maintain but brick and stone offer more texture and elegance to your patio area. Take a look at your house. This is the easiest way to figure out what type of material to use. Which material would look most natural with your home?

Taking these four factors into consideration should help guide you when making these important decisions. We are curious; did we miss any that have helped you?

Many people ask: Why is luxury outdoor furniture a better value than big box stores such as Home Depot, Target and even Ikea. These stores are great for college students or a person in their early 20’s when life is unpredictable and moving from place to place is common. However once life settles down and you make the big step in purchasing a home, starting a family and getting settled into your career it is time to think about long term investments.

Having to buy patio furniture every year because of sun rot and faded ugly cushions is never fun and will add up over the years. Most times people who choose to do this end up spending far more money than if they had just started with a high quality patio set. Here are some of the things you can look forward to after buying your own set of luxury outdoor furniture.

Beautifully Crafted

With high end, luxury outdoor furniture you can expect a wide range of different frame styles made from only the best materials. At All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings we sell hand woven, N-Dura, all weather wicker sets made to last in all kinds of weather. All aluminum, rust protected frames that are light weight but durable and ideal for easy storage. Wrought iron frames are heavy and perfect for windy climates as well as rain prone areas.

Cushions that last

All of All American’s patio furniture sets are made with only the best outdoor cushion fabrics by Sunbrella. Sunbrella is the leading outdoor fabric company and prides themselves on making durable, long lasting fabrics that wont fade in harsh sun. Sunbrella fabrics are also made to last through rain and even snow. Fabrics aren’t the only thing you have to worry about when it comes to cushions. Made with the best cushion foam, you wont have to worry about cushions going flat. Our foam stays plush and comfortable for many years.

Having a backyard patio is a great way to relax and entertain guests and family in the summer time. However there are many things to consider when purchasing patio furniture such as; how much up-keep is involved, how much furniture you will need, and what you want to use it for.  All of these factors are important to consider before you pick a set. You don’t want to spend all of your time trying to maintain your furniture or have to go out and buy more because you didn’t account for your large extended family or group of friends. There are so many different kinds of outdoor patio furniture sets, don’t just settle on the first one you see!

1. Activities

It is important to decide what you want to use your patio area for. Will it mainly function as a sitting area? Will you want to serve dinner outside, or throw get-togethers with your friends where a dining table is necessary? Is this somewhere you would like to get your summer reading done? Do you plan on spending time outside at night? If yes, a fire pit might something to consider. These are all factors to determine prior to your purchase. Try making a list of what you would like to do on your patio. That should help you decide what kind of furniture to buy.

1. Maintenance

After spending all day making sure the weeds are gone from your garden and watering your plants the last thing you want to do is have to worry about your patio furniture. Purchasing low maintenance patio furniture is the way to go and that doesn’t mean it is inexpensive furniture either. Metal, teak, cedar and all-weather wicker furniture are extremely low maintenance and can handle most weather including harsh sun. If it gets dirty, remove the cushions and hose it off.

1. Skip the cheap stuff

It may be tempting to go ahead and buy the inexpensive big box brands, plastic chairs and side table, or the fake, plastic wicker chairs that look great in the protection of the stores roof. However the truth is these furniture sets will only last you a year, maybe two. After that, expect sun rot and cracks. The saying, you get what you pay for is certainly true when it comes to outdoor furniture!

Alright, you got me. Tommy Bahama is not a person, but it is the newest brand addition to our wide collection of luxury patio furniture. Tommy Bahama hasn’t always had a furniture line though, their history started with upscale, casual clothing for men before they morphed into the Tommy Bahama we know and love today.

A Brief History

Tommy Bahama was inspired by a fictional character who lived an island lifestyle with a relaxed, slow paced approach. With this in mind, Tommy Bahama settled in Seattle, Washington where they started to design men’s clothing, directed by one of the cofounders, Gasperina, whom is a fashion industry veteran.

In 1995 Tommy Bahama opened their first stand alone, retail shop in Naples Florida, which ended up being their big break. People started a buzz about their retail and department stores began to increase their orders. In late, 1990’s Tommy Bahama introduced a woman’s line followed by sportswear and swimwear for both men and woman. The rest is pretty much history! Tommy Bahama now retails a wide variety of products anywhere from apparel to, beach gear, to outdoor patio furniture.

Tommy Bahama, Patio Furniture

Tommy Bahama’s outdoor furniture lines have a reputation for being charming and upscale, yet laid back and casual. All of their furniture comes in a diverse range of styles to ensure everyone can create the perfect outdoor space. These outdoor furniture sets are made with the finest materials and the best craftsmanship with over 175 all-weather, water proof (and irresistibly comfortable) fabrics to choose from. 

Kingstown Sedona Collection

The Kingstown Sedona Collection is inspired by Sedona Arizona which is known for their stunning colorful landscape of endless red rock formations. The Kingstown Collection is by far the most elegant, detailed and sophisticated collection that Tommy Bahama has to offer. From hand-carved molds, this collection features all-weather cast aluminum frames with a rich ebony finish.