So You Have an Ear Infection—Is That Why Your Jaw’s Hurting, Too?

It’s not just TMJ that’s to blame.Picture this: The frost has finally thawed and the 15-weekend rain streak is finally over, so you decide to call up your friends to hit the backyard and crack open a few brews. About an hour before they get there, you head outside to assess the state of your outdoor furniture. Before even pulling the covers all the way off, you realize said state is not good, and it is indeed time to invest in a durable outdoor furniture set that will last you more than a season or two.

“When it comes to outdoor furniture, I often say you get what you pay for,” says Jim Dove, principal designer at Dove Design Studio in Palm Beach, Florida.  You should frequently look for materials that won’t warp in the sun or degrade after a few snow dumps. If you’re not sure what those materials look like, you’ve come to the right place. Below, Dove shares exactly what to look for in a patio set that will last a long time. Plus, the best sets to shop.

Most durable outdoor furniture sets, at a glance:

• Best for large spaces: Article, Lubek Slate Gray Low Corner Sectional Set, $2,474
• Best for small spaces: Sunnydaze, Café Couleur 3-Piece Bistro Set, $495
• Best teak: Castlery, Rio Outdoor Teak Sofa, $1,999
• Best eucalyptus: Segovia, Eucalyptus 6 Piece Outdoor Furniture Set, $3,100
• Best redwood: Summer 1905, Super Deck Redwood Outdoor Chaise Lounge, $901
• Best metal: Rove Concepts, Louis Outdoor Sofa, $2,132
• Best wicker: Better Homes & Gardens, Bellamy 4-Piece Patio Set,$996
• Best rope: Nathan James, Set of 2 Rope Outdoor Loveseats & 2 Chairs, $2,099
• Best customizable: Dwell, Modular Teak Outdoor Armchair Set, $2,803
• Best dining table: Room and Board, Parsons Table, $2,409
• Best umbrella: Business & Pleasure Co., Market Umbrella, $699

What to look for when shopping for outdoor furniture

The reality of buying outdoor furniture—like any furniture—is that you really need to assess your situation before adding to the cart. What is the weather like? How are your humidity levels? Do you have a tree above your backyard that dumps weird little leaves by the millions? Because Dove lives in Palm Beach, he often reaches for powder-coated aluminum to outwit the humidity. “It’s lightweight and easy to move,” he says.

Another favorite material is plastic, which sounds like it goes against Dove’s “buy once, cry once” recommendation; however, when paired with the right materials, it can look quite elevated. For him, wood is a no-go. “While beautiful, it needs to be maintained and protected over time, and it’s not great in humid environments like Palm Beach, where I live and work.” Over a few seasons, wood eventually will lose its stain color and can potentially even warp, due to humidity, temperature fluctuations, and sunlight.

If you do want to go with wood, the number one thing you’ll want to consider while shopping is the wood’s oil content. Lest we forget chemistry class, oil repels water, making an oil-rich wood a key player when shopping for outdoor furniture that will stick around for the long h