Okay, so you might think that it's perfectly acceptable to sit in a rusted, corroding chair while you eat that potato salad. Or that it's just fine to entertain your friends at your backyard barbeque on a table that has been around before the Soviet Union collapsed. Patio furniture is meant to last a while, yes, but this is crossing the line. Your friends are starting to avoid your get-togethers because they don't want to sit on those tarnished seats. Maybe it's time you looked into upgrading your patio furniture-for everyone's sake.

If you're unsure of what kind of patio furniture to invest in, there are plenty of options available. The basics begin with wood furniture made from cherry or white cedar. These woods need to be varnished every few years, as well as stored safely during the winter months. They're fairly weather-resistant, but do need some upkeep on a regular basis. However, these beautiful woods will last longer than the metal deathtrap you call a patio table. For that rustic quality without the rust, redwood, pine and white cedar patio furniture are the right choice.

Poly-wood is another viable option that requires no maintenance and is easy to clean-perfect for those summertime picnics in the backyard. What's so amazing about Poly-wood is that it's practically invincible, weather-resistant, and constructed from post-consumer recycled plastics. That's right, all the materials used in Poly-wood come from your recycled water bottles. As an eco-friendly alternative to wood, Poly-wood lasts forever and helps save the environment from deforestation.

For those that want to start fresh by serving up burgers on a truly great patio furniture set, go for teak. Teak is found in Southeast Asia and Indonesia and has fantastic renewable properties. Many teak patio sets are sustainably harvested, meaning that they are harvested in an eco-friendly manner. Teak patio furniture resists the elements and needs little or no maintenance, and ages beautifully from a fine wood into a silver-gray color. This is most certainly the option to choose if you have finally decided you want your patio furniture to outlast the next barbeque.

So jump head first into the pool and dry off to lie down on a real piece of outdoor furniture. White cedar or pine wood, Poly-wood, or teak patio furniture are all great options for upgrading your backyard from a yard sale to a summer paradise.