Score a Deal on a Patio Furniture Upgrade

Even though summer is nearly over, now is a great time to score a major deal on seasonal essentials such as grills, pool accessories - and my favorite - patio furniture. While usually a major purchase, upgrading your outdoor dining game at the end of the season is actually a great way to save big bucks, with many manufacturers slashing prices to make room for other inventory. So if you’re tired wicker or wood outdoor set is in dire need of an upgrade, here are some of the options available that will last a lot longer with much less maintenance than traditional materials.

Aluminium

Metal gives a beautiful, polished look and it doesn’t rust or fade. Because aluminum is such a lightweight metal, it’s easy to rearrange furniture and move it around to different outdoor areas. Many aluminum frame furniture sets are powder coated which gives a homeowner lots of options when it comes to finish and color. Also, it’s affordable and durable so you won’t spend too much and your set should last a long time. On the negative side, aluminum gets very hot in the sun and many times the hardware is made from a different kind of metal which can rust. Make note -  without a good solid cushion, aluminum is not going to be the most comfortable to sit on for long periods of time.

My Pick: The Navan Outdoor 4 piece Aluminum Conversation Set on Overstock.com
Regular Price: $737.99
Sale Price: $573.73

Plastic/Polymer

Plastic patio furniture is the most inexpensive and lightest option going with tons of different styles and colors to choose from. Many people like plastic or polymer furniture because it’s stackable, making it easy to store when not in use. Technology and 3D printing have made plastic options much more durable and less flimsy than the stackable green or white chairs you’re probably picturing, but unless you invest in good quality, high-density polyethylene, it’s likely that plastic isn’t going to last for years to come. Additionally, porous materials will attract mildew, so make sure you wash any plastic down with mold resistant cleaner before storing it away for the winter.

My Pick: POLYWOOD® Long Island Recycled Plastic Adirondack Chairs from Hayneedle
Regular Price: $386.00
Sale Price: $269.00

Resin

If you like the look of wicker, resin is a fantastic option for outdoor furniture. Similar to polymer and plastic, resin is made from synthetic materials such as PVC which are manufactured to stand up to the elements much better than traditional wicker. Resin is also your best bet if you choose to leave your furniture outdoors most of the year as it’s less likely to crack or split and will never rust. I also like resin because even though it can take a beating, it remains comfortable to sit on and is softer than traditional wicker.

My Pick: Belleze Rattan Resin Wicker Folding Table & Chair Bistro Set
Regular Price: $142.94
Sale Price: $99.99

Teak

Plenty of us love the look of wood, especially on a stone patio or around a beautiful fire pit. So if this is your style, my pick is teak for its density and natural resistance to being damaged by the elements. Because teak has such a generous amount of natural oil, it repels water much better than other woods, making it a smarter choice for furniture that’s used outside. With any wood, teak will fade from its natural honey brown color to a wintery gray. The wood can be kept up with a teak sealant, which should be applied when it comes out for the summer and before it goes away for the winter. Also, it’s worth noting that real wood can be expensive, so keep that in mind if you’re going the teak route.

My Pick: Frontgate Teak Dining Sets
Regular Price: Varies
Sale Price: Now 25% off all sets

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Investing in a Fixer Upper? Bobby O's Five Must-Read Tips

For a lot of young people, a first step onto the property ladder might mean purchasing an older home that needs a bit of work. Fixer-uppers can be a great way to enter the real estate market, especially if you’re handy around the house and know a thing or two about remodeling. But if you’re new to the game, getting swayed into paying too much for a rundown home that needs more work than it’s worth can be a real risk. Here are some things to think about before sinking your life savings into a piece of property:

Mr. Inspector

No matter what, always make sure you have an inspector look at the property and report on his or her findings. Lots of homes look perfectly fine on the outside but have expensive or even toxic damage hidden within the property. An inspector will document any issues he or she finds, and at the very least you should be able to use that information to negotiate the price with the seller. If major parts of the house such as the foundation or structural walls need replacing, or if the house has lead paint, lead pipes, or asbestos, you might want to rethink your potential purchase entirely.

Your Budget +15%

Be really clear about how much you are willing to spend to renovate your purchase into the house of your dreams, and be sure to include the cost of materials, the labor and any permits and paperwork in your estimate. Know that very few projects run to budget, so tack on an extra 15% to give yourself some breathing room. Think about what projects have to be dealt with immediately and which ones can wait. Broken stairs might need immediate attention, but the pink sink and bathtub might just grow on you – at least for the first year. 

A Piece of History

Make sure you are aware of the historic status of an old home. Many people purchase houses in an area or zone that doesn’t allow the aesthetic to be changed, which could put a real damper on your dream plans. Also, know that historic restoration is much more expensive than a normal remodel, and it often requires specialists to get the job done right. Be aware of this before you buy.

Keep it Vanilla

A lot of young people buy fixer uppers with plans to remodel in a way that suits them personally. This is fine, but consider what types of projects will enhance the resale value of your home and attract a wide variety of buyers. Additionally, make sure that your remodeling plans keep your house in line with the other homes in the area. Real estate experts suggest keeping your home within 10-15% of the median sale price of other homes in the neighborhood. The last thing you want to do is spend a fortune to revamp a house and then not be able to sell it when the time is right.  

Your Crew

Once you decide on your fixer-upper, make sure you hire experts to handle each individual job. Many people are tempted to get one handyman to install the flooring, replace the electrical, and fix the plumbing as a way to save money. This usually comes back to bite the homeowner as no general contractor can be an expert at everything. Find a pro that you love and ask him or her for recommendations. Every contractor has other tradespeople that they feel comfortable introducing to their clients because they do great work. Remember, it’s their reputation on the line too.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

The Perfect Day Trip for Lovers of Craftsmanship

I talk a lot of about weekend do-it-yourself projects in this column, but what good is summer if you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to relax and enjoy all that Connecticut has to offer?

This past weekend, a friend introduced me to a spot to do just that. Just 30 minutes away lies Topsmead State Forest which just so happens to be a dream destination for people like me who love to enjoy nature while exploring exactly what makes a house a home.

Topsmead State Forest is comprised of the estate and surrounding land once owned by Ms. Edith Chase, heiress to the Waterbury-based Chase Brass and Copper Company. Ms. Chase came upon the land by inheritance and decided to build a summer retreat for herself in 1923. She hired New York City architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr. to help her create the home of her dreams which to this day sits perched high on top of fields that stretch as far as you can see.

It is becoming exceedingly rare to see a house that looks like it was built to last for generations, but Ms. Chase’s English Tudor is one of them. The exterior of the home is stucco and brick, with woodwork made from cypress beams that while weathered with time, have not lost any of their original beauty. The roof is comprised of thick cut slate that still looks stately and has apparently kept the home well protected after more than 90 years of Connecticut winters. It’s hard to walk around and not admire the craftsmanship of the home, and the more than 500 acres that surround it.

The home is only available for tours on certain weekends in the warmer months, but picnics are allowed on the grounds any time from dusk til dawn. Visiting the house is free and you can bring food and drinks to enjoy on the tables scattered amongst the trees. The small gardens are filled with dozens of flowers, much to the delight of local butterflies, and there are many spots to enjoy a quiet few hours of reading or taking in the surrounds, which is exactly what Ms. Chase intended the estate to be used for.

When she passed away in 1972, Ms. Chase bequeathed her property to the people of Connecticut, leaving behind a substantial endowment to ensure it could be looked after for generations to come. Even on a picture perfect Sunday visit, only a dozen cars could be found in the parking lot and the visitors we came across smiled with polite nods while in search of their own little piece of heaven to soak up the sunshine.

With only a few weekends left of the summer, I’d encourage you to check it out for yourself and enjoy a little bit of history right here in our own backyard. Just be sure to bring a picnic and prepare to be enchanted. For more information on Topsmead State Forest, visit the website at http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/topsmead-state-forest.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.