Introduction
As you begin shopping for outdoor patio furniture, one of the first major decisions is whether to choose pre-assembled or ready-to-assemble (RTA) options. With warm weather approaching, you may be eager to find durable, stylish backyard furniture to create an inviting outdoor oasis. However, the array of materials, designs, and price points can seem overwhelming. Pre-assembled and RTA products both have distinct pros and cons to weigh when outfitting your ideal patio space on a budget. This guide will walk through the key differences to help you select the best outdoor furniture for your needs.
The Convenience of Pre-Assembled Furniture
One of the biggest advantages of pre-assembled outdoor furniture is the sheer convenience. When you purchase patio or deck items already put together, assembly is a non-issue. This saves you a substantial investment of time and effort. Pre-assembled furniture allows you to skip the hassle of deciphering complicated instructions, hunting for missing hardware, and struggling to connect unwieldy components. Instead, you can enjoy your new outdoor living area right away.
In addition, pre-assembled furniture tends to feature higher-quality construction and weather-resistant materials. Stores thoroughly test displayed floor models to ensure stability and durability. You can personally inspect furniture for flaws before bringing home a complete set with consistent sizing and appearance. Pre-assembly also eliminates concerns about improperly piecing together components during DIY assembly in a way that shortens the lifecycle.
That said, the main trade-off for this convenience is the premium price point. Pre-assembled patio furniture often costs more than RTA counterparts due to added labor, and shipping expenses. You'll also have less flexibility in design options compared to mix-and-match RTA sets.
The Affordability of Ready-to-Assemble Furniture
For shoppers on a tighter budget, RTA furniture offers an affordable alternative. Unassembled pieces ship directly from the manufacturer in a compact, flat-packed form. This greatly reduces shipping, labor, and inventory costs for companies. Those savings then get passed along to customers, with RTA outdoor furniture priced at a fraction of pre-assembled equivalents. Even high-end rattan, teak, or steel sets have become affordable.
The money saved upfront does require some sweat equity for assembly. But RTA brands have simplified this process with clear instructions and numbered parts. With basic tools and a little patience, you can realistically tackle it yourself over a weekend. Don't be intimidated to build a set from scratch - take your time and follow each step. The payoff is personalized furniture tailored to your taste and space at a reasonable price.
You'll also enjoy more flexibility to mix and match colors and designs with RTA furniture. Components are interchangeable across sets, so it's easy to customize your own unique look. Damaged pieces can be replaced without replacing a whole matching set. And the compact shipping makes it easy to store RTA furniture over winter. Just break down and stack in a shed or garage.
Key Factors to Consider Before Deciding
When weighing pre-assembled against RTA patio furniture, keep the following factors in mind:
- Budget: When determining your budget, carefully calculate the total amount you are able to spend upfront on outdoor furniture. Be sure to factor in any additional shipping, handling, or delivery fees that may add to the overall cost. Setting a clear budget will help guide your decisions.
- Skill level: Honestly assess your skill level and past experience assembling furniture on your own. Building items from scratch requires following intricate instructions, connecting numerous hardware pieces, and maneuvering unwieldy components. If this sounds daunting, lean toward pre-assembled to avoid frustration.
- Timing: Consider your timeframe and when you hope to begin using the patio furniture. Pre-assembled items can be utilized as soon as they are delivered, perfect if you need them right away. Opt for RTA only if you have the luxury of time for methodical assembly.
- Selection: Take stock of the level of variety and customization available in the specific furniture styles you prefer. RTA often provides more mix-and-match flexibility and options to tailor pieces to your taste. Pre-assembled collections tend to be more uniform.
- Quality: Inspect construction, hardware, materials, cushions, and other aspects that determine durability and longevity. Well-built furniture made with weather-resistant materials will last season after season outdoors. Quality should be a priority.
- Space: Measure the storage space you have available to house RTA boxes if you plan to disassemble furniture annually. Ensure your shed or garage has ample room first. Disassembly requires space for all the parts and hardware.
- Convenience: Determine how much time and effort you are willing to expend for furniture convenience. Pre-assembled costs more but saves you labor. RTA takes work but provides satisfaction from completing it yourself. Know your priorities.
Carefully consider your unique situation to decide whether pre-assembled or RTA makes the most sense. For most budgets, ready-to-assemble furniture is the obvious value. But those short on free time or lacking DIY confidence may prefer paying more upfront for pre-assembled convenience.
Conclusion
If choosing RTA furniture, verify that all parts, hardware, and clear instructions are included. Check manufacturer warranties on frames and cushions. For pre-assembled sets, examine product images closely for any flaws or damage in shipping.
Keep return policies in mind as well. RTA products with missing or defective components may be harder to return once assembly is in progress. Pre-assembled furniture can also be difficult to ship back, depending on size.
With some diligent research online, you can find high-quality patio furniture from reputable brands that fit both your style and budget. Pay close attention to details before purchase to ensure you'll be satisfied with the final product for creating your ideal backyard relaxation destination.
Read More
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