At least since the early 1900s, beach chairs have been popular on US beaches, lakes, and back porches all across the country. Although people originally used conventional household chairs or patio furniture at the beach made of wood, soon a market developed around chairs developed specifically for the beach itself and meant to be kept outdoors. Folding beach chairs became the next evolution of the market, allowing people to buy and bring their own beach chairs with them when they went on vacation instead of just relying on ones provided by their hotels. Although these, too, were originally made of wood, soon metal, then aluminum, and later plastic beach chairs came out, giving consumers lots of choices. Today, some people use folding beach chairs of all kinds as a replacement for other types of patio furniture and outdoor chairs. Especially if you don't have much space, buying a chair you can use at home and on vacation can be a great way to save money and combine functions. This guide will introduce you to some different types of beach chairs, and tell you what you should think about when you're buying chairs for your home.
There are lots of different types of beach chairs on the market. Perhaps the most popular type of beach chair today is called a lounger. This kind of beach chair usually has a full back and arm rests, as well as some kind of support for your lower legs and feet. There might just be an extra bar you can fold out, or the back and leg support sections might all be made in one piece, similar to a household recliner. Loungers might also have an extra support for your head – either built in to the other sections of the lounger, or as a separate head pillow or headrest which sticks out from the top of the chair. Most people agree that loungers are one of the most comfortable options when it comes to beach chairs, although it is possible they could cost a bit more than other types of chairs as well as weigh more and be tougher to carry. If you primarily want to use your beach chair at home, a lounger will be an excellent choice. It's simple, usually fairly sturdy, and should last a long time.
Loungers usually aren't the sort of chair you want to fold up and sling over your shoulder for a spontaneous trip to the beach, however. Adirondack chairs are another highly popular option for both home and seaside environments. Like loungers, they offer good back support, armrests, and sometimes an additional connected or separate foot rest. They are, however, heavier than loungers and tougher to transport. Adirondack chairs do not fold up, as a rule, so they will be fairly stationary purchases. Your hotel at the beach might offer adirondack chairs on the back patio, and plenty of people use adirondack chairs to decorate their front or back porch at home. They're available in lots of materials, including plastic, wicker, and wood, but don't expect to fold these chairs up and bring them to the beach either. Chairs just marketed as "folding chairs" will probably be quite a bit shorter and more compact than either loungers or adirondack chairs, and will probably be your best bet for heading to the beach on your own.
These are usually lightweight chairs with a seat, back, and armrests. The seat and back will be covered in some kind of material like nylon, or have webbing stretched over the frame to provide a sturdy surface to sit on. It is possible to find folding chairs with foot rests, but these are more rare. Normally, a folding chair will just be a great, lightweight companion you can use at home, fold up, and easily transport on vacation or to the beach as well. Besides these basic features, lots of beach chairs today have extra accessories like fold-out side tables where you can place glasses or plates, or set your book down. It's also possible to get a beach chair or lounger with a built-in umbrella or a bracket where you can slide in your own umbrella for sun protection. This is a great feature that helps prevent sunburn and keep you comfortable. Fold-out foot rests are another feature we've already mentioned that makes an appearance on some beach chairs and folding chairs. Some beach chairs are marketed as "recliners."
Any type of beach chair can be called a recliner, although this designation might mean different things for different kinds of chairs. It might mean they are permanently fixed in a reclined position, or that they actually offer two or three adjustments to let you sit up or lay back as you choose. Look for adjustable beach chairs if you're interested in being able to control how you're sitting. Extra features will have an effect on the price, of course. Basic beach chairs might cost 15 or 20 dollars (lower prices should make you suspicious of the chair's quality), while well-equipped folding chairs can run 50-80 dollars, and solid, well-made adirondack chairs can cost over $100 – even more if they're handmade or finished. It's a good idea to carefully compare prices and features when you're buying a beach chair online. Since lots of people leave their beach chairs outdoors in their yards or on their porches, and since they are outdoors when you're sitting in them at a park, lake, or beach, you will need to carefully consider what effects weather will have on the materials you choose.
Your chairs need to be able to handle weather like rain, intense sun, and wind, and be useful for many summers. Although there are other options, you'll usually be choosing between beach chairs made of aluminum and other metals, wood, and plastic. Chairs made of natural materials like wood and wicker look rustic, and they also have the advantage of being robust and weather-resistant. Teak wood is a popular choice, and is used in all kinds of patio and outdoor furniture. The disadvantage of wooden beach chairs, however, is that they require regular care so as not to lose their color. Depending on how large your chairs are, this could take a little work. The wood also needs to be varnished or painted, and this coating needs to be renewed regularly to retain weather-resistance. You should ask the seller what kind of varnish will work best with which wood. If you don't absolutely have to have natural materials for your beach chair, a plastic chair could be better for your yard or patio since it's easier to clean.
Plastic beach chairs might not even look like plastic, since it can be made to look a lot like natural wicker or rattan. Another advantage is that plastic chairs are easier to fold up and store anywhere to save space when summer's over. They're great for smaller homes, yards, patios, or even balconies. The disadvantage of this type of chair is that the plastic doesn't always stand up to direct sunlight, and that sitting on a plastic chair in the hot sun might not be as comfortable, as it retains heat. Plastic beach chairs also might not last quite as long as those made of natural materials. A beach chair you're using in your yard, on your balcony, or patio, more than just the frame needs to be robust and weather-resistant. The same thing is true for the fabrics which cover the seat and foot rest as well as the cushions. Today, you'll be able to choose from all kinds of different colors, allowing you to match your beach chairs to the rest of your patio furniture and outdoor decorating scheme.
You should decide on materials just like you decide on frames – they need to be specially made for outdoor use. Fabrics need to be dyed through so they'll keep their color without bleaching out in the direct sun. They should also be impregnated with a waterproofing treatment so that wind and water don't damage the materials and make them look worn prematurely. A side effect of this treatment is that it will be easier to remove even stubborn stains like chocolate with a little water and soap. Before you buy, look at the chairs you want carefully and check both the materials and construction and sewing. Ask the seller specifically whether the fabric will keep its color and shape, and ask whether you can exchange or return the purchase if your beach chairs don't offer what they promised. You should store your beach chairs over the winter in a relatively protected area. You usually won't need to take your chairs apart in order to store them. Most beach chairs will fold up or stack in order to take up as little space as possible.