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The Complete Outdoor Rocking Chair Buying Guide
Outdoor patio rocking chairs are often associated with relaxing mornings and spending time with loved ones on the front porch because of their gentle back-and-forth motion and comfortable armrests. Traditional rockers have been used to soothe babies to sleep for centuries, as well as to help adults unwind. The motion of the rocking is even said to have therapeutic benefits, so hello, self-care.
For nearly 300 years, rocking chairs have been the go-to place to enjoy a sunset or take in the world around you. Simple dining chairs with sloped rockers attached to their feet were what rocking chairs originally looked like and were mostly used in gardens.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re debating whether or not to buy your own outdoor rocking chairs. You can choose the seating option that best suits your outdoor space and way of life with the help of this thorough, simple-to-use buying guide.
Why is Rocking Chair so Popular in America?
Rocking chairs are widely used in America, without a doubt. Most people have memories of their grandparents having these benches in their backyard. New parents also make investments in them to aid in putting their children to sleep.
In a time before iPhones, laptops, and text messages, rocking chairs are a small nod to a nostalgic brand of Americana, When one could truly unwind while enjoying a cocktail, a glass of cold tea, or a cup of coffee while gently rocking back and forth.
Rocking chairs have long had a firm place in American history, though they are now prominent in both architecture and pop culture. Someone decided that it was just logical to attach skates or rockers to the legs of a regular chair since rocking horses and cradles were already in use. In the Oxford English Dictionary from 1787, the word “rocking chair” first appeared.
How To Find The Best Patio Rocking Chair For Your Space?
In many homes across the nation, rocking chairs are common. They give a house more visual interest and extra seating. The benefits don’t end there, though. The many health advantages that these chairs offer have also been covered by medical professionals. The ideal addition to your home, rockers, have so many wonderful benefits. To suit your taste, pick from various styles, hues, and materials.
Choose the Right Materials for Your Outdoor Rocking Chair
A garden rocking chair’s experience can be made or broken by its material, arguably the most crucial consideration when choosing outdoor furniture. These features should be your top considerations when choosing an outdoor rocker from the wide variety of materials available, regardless of quality or aesthetic appeal:
Durability – Does it withstand repeated use and weather conditions like rain, wind, and sun exposure?
Maintenance – How much maintenance is required, including cleaning and refinishing?
Comfort – Is it comfortable enough to sit in for long periods?
Weight – Will it remain in place in the event of wind? Are you able to move it by yourself? (The weight of rocking chairs ranges from 15 to 45 pounds, depending on the material.)
Price – What kind of budget are you willing to set aside for a rocking chair?
Appearance – Does the material match your personal taste and the outdoor décor you already have?
Wood
Popular wood rocking chair outdoor materials include pine, cedar, and other softwoods. Coniferous trees, which include evergreens and trees with cones and needles, are the only trees specifically mentioned that produce wood. The natural appearance and eventual patina of hardwood make it a popular choice for outdoor furniture. This phrase describes wood from deciduous trees or those with seasonal leaf drops.
Metal
Aluminum rockers typically have straightforward designs with hollow tubular frames, though some might be cast in a mold. When determining whether a piece of metal furniture is made of aluminum, hold a magnet against it; if it sticks, it isn’t.
- Rust resistance in aluminum comes naturally.
- Since the hollow aluminum frames are lightweight, carrying this type of furniture is simple. However, they are also easily moved by strong winds.
- For comfort, cushions should be added to aluminum rocking chairs.
- On hot, sunny days, an aluminum rocker left outside can become extremely hot; it may become unusable until it has a chance to cool off.
Wicker
Wicker is a term that refers to furniture that is woven in a particular style rather than a material, despite being used frequently as such. Wicker outdoor dining rocking chairs can be made from organic materials like bamboo, rattan, reeds, and willow or synthetic materials like resin.
- It is usually simple to move around because wicker is usually lightweight. It may also be vulnerable to strong winds because of this, which is a bad thing.
- If not shielded from the elements and regularly dusted, washed, and sprayed with protectant, natural wicker rocking chairs are prone to fading and cracking.
- Since it is a porous material, natural wicker is not suited for harsh weather, such as snow or torrential rain.
- Those who like the airy appearance of wicker but lack the time for maintenance should consider HDPE wicker, also known as all-weather wicker.
Plastic
A chair is made by placing molten thermoplastic (plastic that is malleable when heated) inside a mold shaped like a chair and allowing it to cool and solidify using injection molding.
- Chairs made of injection-molded plastic can withstand moisture, rust, and mold.
- These chairs come in a variety of colors, but they have a tendency to deteriorate quickly in the sun.
- Chairs made of injection-molded plastic are produced in bulk and are, therefore, cheap.
- These chairs are portable and light, but they can warp in hot weather and are powerless against strong winds.
HDPE
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture, decks, playsets, and fencing because it is tough and weatherproof. Our HDPE lumber is a custom blend created with environmentally friendly materials, such as plastics, that would otherwise end up in the ocean.
- HDPE is simple to keep clean and maintain; all that is typically required is a quick scrub with soapy water and a soft-bristle brush.
- Although more expensive than other plastics, HDPE has durability, strength, and resilience advantages.
- Numerous colors that won’t fade are available for HDPE materials.
- Most HDPE rocking chairs can be used with or without cushions.
Choose the Right Proportions for Your Outdoor Rocking Chair
Rocking chairs occupy more room than you might think because they rock back and forth and how roomy the seats are. We recommend measuring your outdoor space first to ensure you have space for a rocker.
Most rocking chairs have dimensions of about 37–45 inches tall, 26–30 inches wide, and 32–37 inches deep. For your family’s convenience and to avoid running into walls, people, or other chairs while rocking, we suggest leaving 2-3 feet of space on all sides of your rocking chairs.
Choose the Right Types for Your Outdoor Rocking Chair
Although rocking chairs’ fundamental design hasn’t changed much since they were first created in the 18th century, there are now many different styles. There are designs for every preference, from traditional to contemporary. Our favorite rockers, including porch-friendly models, Adirondack-inspired designs, and roomy deep seating models, have been assembled here.
Porch-Perfect Styles
Porch rocking chair styles, often associated with front-porch lounging, pay homage to the rocker’s lengthy history and progression from the past to the present with classic, recognizable designs.
Adirondack Styles
This design combines a rocker’s motion with an Adirondack chair’s relaxed comfort. Classic and vibrant lumber colors are offered for these rockers.
Choose the Right Color for Your Outdoor Rocking Chair
Ultimately, personal preference will determine the best color for your rocking chair. Rocking chairs in those colors complement modern architecture well. Tan, brown, and beige lounge seating will look great in any outdoor living room because neutrals are a common choice due to their versatility. Colorful hues with personality, such as red, orange, blue, and green, are used.
However, depending on the material you select, your choice of color may be somewhat limited. Unless they are painted or stained, metal and wooden chairs only come in a few colors (which require regular upkeep to prevent chipping, peeling, and fading). You have a rainbow of options thanks to the availability of chairs made of HDPE lumber and injection-molded plastic in different colors.
Avoid selecting outdoor rockers made of plastic with veneers—that is, furniture with color only on the surface—if possible. It is prone to chipping and peeling and the color doesn’t last as long. Instead, seek out pieces of furniture with plastic material combined with pigment and UV inhibitors, ensuring that the entire furniture is saturated with fade-resistant color.
Accessories to Complete the Space
It’s time to complete the look with rocking chair outdoor accessories now that you’ve chosen the ideal rocking chair material, size, style, and color. You can quickly add comfort and color to your rocker by using outdoor cushions and throw pillows. You can combine a side table with your lounge chair to keep beverages and snacks close at hand (space permitting).
Best Rocking Chair For Outdoor At Torva
Our contoured TORVA Modern Outdoor Rocking Adirondack Chair will pamper you, your loved ones, and your guests with supreme comfort. Its wide seat, reclining back, and arms for your phone or water bottle make it ideal for deep outdoor relaxation.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), renowned for its sturdiness, all-weather longevity, and fade-resistant properties, is the most cutting-edge material for outdoor living spaces. We are happy to offer this supreme chair in it! You will adore the style with the feel and look of real wood, but you won’t ever have to worry about painting and sanding. Additionally, this high-quality material won’t rot, chip, crack, or cause you to get splinters. Our best rocking chair has a lot of qualities to impress you.
- Design that is cozy and has a deep seat and a strong backrest.
- Durable HDPE and stainless steel hardware are used in heavy-duty construction.
- Extreme weather, such as sweltering heat, torrential rain, and arctic winters, is resistant to damage.
- Easy and quick assembly with our clear instructions, hardware, and provided tools
Bottom Line
The primary target market for Adirondack rocking chairs is not restricted just because rocking chairs on television are frequently associated with elderly people. Who wouldn’t relish relaxing in a rocking chair in the backyard with a good book and warm weather?
The majority of people, however, learned about rocking chairs from the older generation in this manner. Years later, the chair’s appeal is still strong due to its comfort. Additionally, it works well for rocking infants and young children to sleep. After a while, even adults fall asleep.
The outdoor areas of homes and businesses now feature rocking chairs.
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