Why Are Patio Cushions So Expensive? (7 Reasons Why)

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Brandon Porter

Brandon Porter is an architectural draftsman of 25 years and a self-proclaimed handyman. He loves renovating homes and making them his own, whether it's fixing up the plumbing or painting the walls.

Patio furniture is an excellent way to utilize more space around your home for entertainment. Generally, most patio furniture will require patio cushions to make seating more comfortable.

If you have been wanting patio cushions for your furniture, you might have wondered why patio cushions are so expensive. I did the research, and here is what I learned!

Why Are Patio Cushions So Expensive?


1. Brand Name

The brand name of any product, like a patio cushion, will determine how much the product will cost.

Essentially, the brand’s goods will be expensive whenever the brand name is famous or known for being high-quality.

For instance, Perigold sells luxury patio cushions, with the smallest ones costing at least $79. On the other hand, cheaper branded patio cushions may only cost $20-40 per cushion.

Generally, people are willing to pay more for branded patio cushions because they believe that branded products will be high-quality and more consistent.

As such, most customers believe paying for an expensive patio cushion will be an investment.

Therefore, big brand names that sell patio cushions will often make them more expensive since they know that their customers will purchase the cushions anyway.

2. Fabric

A significant reason patio cushions are expensive is the types of fabric used, and patio cushions are often made from different types of material.

Usually, expensive patio cushions are made from polypropylene fabric, considered a type of “marine fabric.”

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Polypropylene fabric is very resistant to stains, water, and UV rays, making polypropylene fabric an excellent choice for patio cushion fabric.

However, what is important for each of these fabrics is that there is a tight fabric weave to offer better quality patio cushions.

3. Fillers

The type of filler used to make a patio cushion is crucial, and fillers are usually what make patio cushions costly.

Usually, the most common type of filler used for patio cushions is Polyurethane foam, which has high resiliency to allow the cushion to bounce back.

Generally, Polyurethane foam can be closed or open-cell foam, which can affect the firmness and weather resistance.

For instance, open-cell foam is usually best for drier climates and has a somewhat medium firmness.

Also, open-cell foam will allow any water that enters the foam to pass through it, allowing the foam to dry fast.

On the other hand, closed-cell foam has a firmer texture and is best suited for wetter climates since the denseness of the foam makes the foam more water-resistant.

However, more expensive patio cushions will likely be made from memory foam because memory foam evenly distributes weight and feels softer than Polyurethane foam.

4. Labor

4. Labor

Patio cushions have to be sturdy and have minimal to no flaws, which means machines cannot be solely used to create patio cushions.

As such, manufacturers of patio cushions have to pay for employees to make each one, and their salaries will be factored into the cost of the patio cushions.

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Typically, more expensive patio cushions are priced as such because the employee would have spent many hours creating the patio cushion.

Additionally, properly creating patio cushions requires talent and patience, which each employee will need to be compensated for.

5. Weather Resistant

Unlike regular cushions, patio cushions have to be left outside, meaning that the patio cushions face various types of weather throughout the year.

Generally, patio cushions are made to be weather resistant since the patio cushions will likely stay outside all the time.

As such, manufacturers have to spend more money making the patio cushions weather resistant.

Typically, manufacturers will place a plastic backing on the fabric for the patio cushion to make it weather resistant.

Alternately, some manufacturers apply a coat of Teflon spray on the fabric of the patio cushion to make the fabric repel water.

Still, it is important to remember that most patio cushions are only water-resistant, not waterproof.

Further, this is because most patio cushions only make it difficult for water to pass through the fabric and enter the fillers.

However, patio cushions that do not explicitly state that they are waterproof means that the patio cushion can eventually absorb water.

Therefore, water would eventually seep into your patio cushions, especially if water is consistently touching the patio cushion.

6. Size And Shape

The cost of patio cushions will also be determined by the size since various sizes are available.

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Typically, larger and thicker patio cushions will be more expensive than the smaller and thinner ones.

Also, it is essential to note that not all patio cushions come in a standard square shape, and other shapes tend to be more expensive.

For instance, designer patio cushions that come in a circular shape are pricier because circular patio cushions are harder to create and difficult to find.

7. Custom Designs

Anything that you would have custom-made would cost more money, and that includes patio cushions.

That said, custom-made patio cushions would require the manufacturers to develop a design to suit your preferences, which the manufacturers will charge you more.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on why decks are so expensive, why couches are so expensive, and why dining chairs are so expensive.

Conclusion

Patio cushions are expensive because they are durable cushions made from costly fabric and fillers made by skilled laborers.

Also, branded and custom-made patio cushions are more expensive since these patio cushions will require more work to create.

Author

  • Brandon Porter

    Brandon Porter is an architectural draftsman of 25 years and a self-proclaimed handyman. He loves renovating homes and making them his own, whether it's fixing up the plumbing or painting the walls.

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