BUYING FOR THE PATIO – THE PROS & THE CONS

One of the best things about living in the Algarve is the climate that provides us with the freedom to enjoy the outdoors. When people buy a property here, a pool, terrace, patio or garden usually features high on the priority list. Whether it be eating, playing games, entertaining or simply relaxing, making good use of the outdoor living space is important.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Patio furniture is a must and used to be made either of natural materials such as wood or rattan, or metal. The wood was generally teak because this is one of the hardest and longest lasting timbers. The metal was generally cast iron. Rattan was rattan!

Teak is still a preferred option for a few traditionalists but is falling out of favour for environmental reasons (loss of rain forests) and because it’s almost impossible to get it to retain its good looks, and trying to achieve the impossible takes so much time, effort and money!

The term ‘Buy Cheap, Buy Twice’ has always been especially true as far as outdoor living products are concerned because they have to withstand extremes of temperature and sunlight. It’s never been difficult to find cheaper products that, on the surface look pretty good. What you won’t find out until you’ve had them for a season is that the reason they are cheap is because they are made with cheaper materials that don’t last. We can all probably remember the cheap wooden garden bench that warped and went grey before finally collapsing after a couple of years.

In today’s world with all of the advantages of modern technology, the choice of material to withstand the extremes of outdoor temperatures, humidity and UV rays, is greater than ever. Aluminium, plastic and fibreglass have all taken their place in the mix.

Aluminium is becoming a favourite despite the rocketing price of the raw material. But don’t go for the extruded tube type as this is far too light for the windy Algarve. You’ll come home one day to find it’s in the pool or has just blown away! Go for the solid, cast variety that is heavy, has no bolts or screws to act as weak spots and will never, ever rust.

Fibreglass can be attractive and is certainly long-lasting if the right quality is purchased. It's unique design makes it able to withstand sun, rain, cold, even salt water and with colourful cushions will grace any terrace.

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Plain white or coloured plastic is still a relatively inexpensive option but it doesn’t quite do the business for many people as far as style is concerned.

There is another sort of plastic that has become very fashionable over the past few years and that is synthetic rattan known by the generic term Polyrattan.The real rattan is great as long as it is protected from the extremes of the climate but never expect it to survive either rain or sun. Drive along the Algarve and you will see countless retail outlets offering furniture made from synthetic rattan.

The vast majority of this is manufactured in enormous factories in China. Most people assume that all of the products are made with the same material. The truth is, as with any man-made material, the ingredients and the care that goes into the manufacture of the products differ widely.The cheaper the product the more inferior will be the material. Those unfortunate buyers opting for a cheaper solution on the high street are likely to be very disappointed after a season or two when rapid deterioration sets in caused by UV damage, the ‘rattan’ becomes brittle and cracks. The only solution is to buy another set!

On the other hand top quality polyrattan furniture will retain its good looks and functionality for many years. It is relatively heavy, the frame is made from non-rusting aluminium and it is extremely stylish. So, when deciding what to buy to furnish your patio or terrace, don’t be seduced by cheaper products because what appears to be a bargain and ‘too good to be true’ probably is!

BARBECUES or BBQS

Barbecuing over charcoal has been around for centuries and there are many colourful theories on the derivation of the term. The French phrase ‘barbe a queue’ translates as ‘from whiskers to tail’, indicating the practice of cooking animals whole. A nineteenth century advertisement for a whisky bar, beer hall with pool table and a menu specializing in roast pig was printed as BAR-BEER-CUE-PIG! One thing is certain, the joy of eating ‘al fresco’ is usually enhanced by cooking on a BBQ.

In 1952 the evolution of BBQs made a great leap forward when WEBER came onto the scene with their kettle BBQ that first used a lid to protect the food and to bring some control to the cooking process. Since this time, except for the dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists, gas BBQs have taken away the dirt, drudgery and delays associated with charcoal BBQs.

When selecting a BBQ there are pros and cons to consider. Do you want to move the BBQ, perhaps depending on the wind direction or weather? Or are you content to have an aesthetically pleasing ‘built-in’ BBQ area with its stone or tiled work tops and attractive chimney. There are BBQs to suit both and charcoal built-in BBQs can easily be converted to gas.

How many people do you need to cater for? Do you just want to cook simple food like burgers, sausages and steaks or would you like to really impress with spit-roast joints of meat? Would you like a side-cooker for stir-fried vegetables or beans? Would you use a solid griddle for breakfast cooking? There really is no limit to the degree of sophistication that is now possible with today’s BBQ products and accessories.

As with most other purchases there are a few things to be wary of however.

BBQs not only have to deal with the extremes of climate here in the Algarve, but also need to be made of materials that can successfully withstand the heat of cooking. Not all BBQs are built to last so the choice of manufacturer is important. A local source of spare parts is extremely useful if your BBQ is reaching the end of its life.

It’s also important that you buy from a respected supplier who will give you good advice and who holds a good stock and a wide variety of different BBQs to choose from. A supplier who will be happy to build the BBQ for you and to attach the appropriate gas regulator and gas bottle and who will deliver free for you wherever you live in the Algarve.

UNBREAKABLE TABLEWARE

Continuing with the topic of outdoor eating, the surface of patios and terraces tends to be unforgiving when crockery is accidentally dropped or glasses are blown over by a gust of wind. This is not only expensive but can cause injury. And if you happen to be unlucky enough to break something close to the pool you could be involved in the disruption and expense of draining and refilling the pool!

It makes sense to only use unbreakable tableware when dining outside. Technology has again come to our assistance and products are now far removed from the plastic picnic plates and mugs we may recall from our childhood! Today’s high quality melamine place settings and poly-carbonate ‘glasses’ are quite heavy and pleasing to handle. They are also produced in a range of very attractive colours and styles with some designs used under licence from the Royal Doulton factory.

Again, care is necessary when buying to ensure your money is being spent wisely.

BAR ACCESSORIES

The absence of pubs here probably accounts for the fact that more and more people are stocking their own bar at home! Cocktails when the sun goes down, a large jug of Pimms by the pool, a shandy after some garden exertion, wine coolers, swizzle sticks, whatever you fancy becomes possible with the right accessories.

SHADE & AWNINGS

There is a great deal of emphasis now on the dangers of over-exposure to the sun’s rays. It’s wonderful to be able to enjoy the sunshine but too much at the wrong time of year is not a good idea and is also uncomfortable. Shade is a necessity through the months of April to September and not just any shade! UVA and UVB rays have been identified as being damaging to the skin and an excess can cause serious long term health problems.

So it’s vital that shade is present on our patios and terraces - and not just any old shade! Only the right type of material will offer the necessary protection against these damaging rays. Whatever happened to the good old days when shade was shade! So whichever type of artificial shade you choose make sure that the material is tested for filtering out both UVA and UVB.

Artificial shade comes in three different forms. The simplest and usually the least expensive is the parasol. These can also be positioned in the centre of a suitably designed table or with the cantilever variety positioned at the side. There is also a parasol called the Butterfly which will cover a large rectangular table.

Another form of artificial shade is the well-known awning. These have been around in manual forms for many years. Most people here in the Algarve prefer the electric, remote-controlled version linked to a wind-sensor that will automatically retract the awning if the wind strength increases beyond certain parameters. Just as with furniture, awnings are subjected to harsh climatic conditions and will deteriorate unless the materials used are of high quality. Awnings tend to be one of the more expensive items of outdoor equipment so you need to make sure that it will last and remain attractive for years to come. Buy with the assurance of at least a 5 year manufacturer’s guarantee and from a company with a good service history.

The other form of artificial shade is commonly known as the shade sail. Originating from either Australia or New Zealand, these shades are really useful when there is no permanent structure close by that can be used to mount an awning. The design of shade sails is a very skilled job and an experienced designer can produce very attractive geometric shapes with twists and height variations.

GARDEN GAMES

Entertainment need not only involve eating and drinking. Whether you have family and friends to stay or paying guests to consider, why not get some good old-fashioned games. Jaques of London is a company with a glorious history of providing the very highest quality outdoor games. Giant chess, badminton, croquet, 3D noughts & crosses, huge dominoes, quoites, boules, the list just goes on! So, next time you have a dinner-party add an extra dimension and get back to really enjoying life.

PATIO HEATING

The climate here is so much kinder than we’re used to in northern Europe and yet there are always evenings in the spring and autumn when a little supplementary heat is welcome! Patio heaters come in a variety of styles. Perhaps the simplest is the log burner or chimenea. Adequate, but can be smokey in the wrong conditions.

The more traditional is the gas patio heater frequently seen in restaurants. This is now available in many colours and designs from the very stylish all stainless steel to the retro cast iron look-alike. These are practical, unless the wind is blowing, and reasonably economical to run. However, recent European legislation has identified these as being 'Environmentally Unfriendly' and their sale could soon be prohibited.

The latest patio heater style is the electric, quartz heater aptly named the Algarvian. These are cheaper to run than gas and, because the infra-red, radiant heat is not blown away by the wind, they are more effective. Get warmth at the flick of a switch to enjoy your al-fresco experience when others have retreated indoors.

INSECT REPELLENTS

One of the more unwelcome aspects of spending evenings outdoors, especially later in the year, is mosquitoes, midges and other flying pests! Strange how some people are more susceptible to these insects than others, and how some people seem to actively attract them. Certainly they can spoil an otherwise perfect ambience.

There have been many methods propounded over the years to defeat the problem. From eating garlic to rubbing on various proprietary ointments, to wearing items that emit very high frequency sound waves and burning candles.The latter seem to work when the candles are made using citronella oil although the smell can be irritating to some.

The technology that’s used in commercial food processing establishments has now been developed to the benefit of our home situations with the introduction of the domestic ‘Zapper’. Ultra-violet light attracts the flying pests which are then electrocuted as they approach the light. The term ‘zapper’ derives from the last sound the unfortunate insect makes!

GENERAL ADVICE

So, the products exist to allow us to maximise our enjoyment of the wonderful Algarve environment within which we’re fortunate to live and, as long as we exercise some general common-sense and apply a couple of simple rules then our outdoor experience will be the envy of our friends and guests for a long and happy time.

Choose your supplier carefully. One with a good track record and a reputation to protect; one who has an established shop, not just a mobile phone number and one who will be pleased to help if you ever have need to ask for after-sales service.

Try not to be seduced by an apparently cheap offering. The reason it is cheap is usually because it is of inferior quality although it may be impossible for the average purchaser to detect this until it’s too late.

So buy wisely and enjoy the outdoor life to the full.