The question of how to buy an outdoor rocking chair might seem strange to some; I mean it’s a chair and it rocks and which color should I choose, right? But if you’ve spent time shopping for a rocker online lately you’ve likely been overwhelmed by the wide range of brands and price points available, especially in mega stores like Amazon and Wayfair. You can find $129 rockers with 4 star reviews and you can find $529 rocking chairs with 4 star reviews. So what gives? Here’s what to look for in an outdoor rocking chair:
How to Buy a Comfortable Outdoor Rocking Chair
At a quick glance, rocking chairs kind of all look the same. But as with most things, the devil is in the details. When you want to buy a comfortable rocker, there are a few important attributes to consider.
First, check for a double-contoured seat and back. Many cheaper rocking chairs will offer a flat back and/or seat, which is a red flag. A comfortable rocking chair will have a contoured seat and curved back to properly accommodate the natural curves of the human body.
Second, note the angle of recline as the chair sits in its natural state (empty). For a long, satisfying rocking motion, a good rocker will have excellent balance points and should sit angled backwards when empty. A rocker that sits up too straight (with the back too vertical) will not rock properly.
Finally, find out the dimensions of the rocker and make sure they are wide and deep enough for a reasonably sized adult. Inferior rockers have smaller footprints and aren’t truly adult sized. Our World’s Finest Rocker is generously sized for modern adults.
How to Buy a Durable Outdoor Rocking Chair
When it comes to buying a truly weather resistant, durable outdoor rocking chair, there are a few things to consider.
First, what material was used to construct the chair frame? A dense hardwood (like Teak, Robinia, Mahogany, or Eucalyptus) is key to durability. Softer woods will not resist moisture well and will rot prematurely.
Next, how is the chair constructed? If you can see exposed hardware, especially brackets, then there’s a good chance that the rocker frame was not designed in a manner that will remain rigid over time. Due to the nature of how a chair rocks, significant torque is put on the joints of the frame that run front to back. It’s critical that these joints fit together tightly; any give in the joints will result in the entire frame eventually shifting front and back as you rock (right before it falls apart and you or your loved one falls to the floor). The ideal design for a rocking chair is the use of mortise and tenon joinery which promotes tight fitting joints unlikely to shift over time.
Finally, it’s important to choose an outdoor rocking chair finished with an exterior grade stain or paint. For example, our Americana Rocking Chair is offered in four exterior grade finishes – Natural Oil, Glossy White, Glossy Black, and the limited edition Weathered Grey finish.
How to Buy the Best Value Outdoor Rocking Chair
The word “value” implies that the item you’re purchasing offers a good number of benefits in comparison to the price. A good value outdoor rocking chair is one that will provide comfort, durability, relaxation, and an overall sense of joy for years. This means a contoured seat and back, excellent balance points for smooth rocking motion, quality weather resistant materials, superior design and construction, and a durable exterior grade finish that will withstand the elements. Beware of low priced outdoor rockers that claim to be suitable for outdoors. They will deteriorate rapidly and develop flaking finish and loose joints that will eventually compromise the integrity of the chair frame, which could be potentially dangerous.
To learn more about our premium outdoor rockers and why they’re so popular with hotels and resorts, view our best value outdoor rocking chairs here.
