Indoor stools have none of these, which is why a cheap one outside rusts at the joints by autumn.
What makes a bar stool outdoor-proof?
Three things. A stainless steel frame, not plain painted steel: ours are welded from EN 10088 stainless tube and powder-coated black, so a chip in the paint does not rust. A welded frame with no bolts to work loose. And a seat that sheds water.
Teak or cushion?
Teak slats (Saga, Per, Otto) let rain drain straight through and dry from both sides. Left alone, the teak turns silver-gray. Nothing to bring in.
Olefin cushions (Tora, Valter, Folke) are softer for a long evening. The fabric is solution-dyed, so the color runs through the fiber: tested to 1,500 hours of weathering and rated for pool and sea water. It dries fast, but it lasts longest if you lift it in during long rain. Oat is a pale off-white, Dusk the darker option.
Low back, full back or arms?
| Back | Teak | Cushion | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low back rail | Saga | Tora | Short stays, tucks fully under the counter |
| Full backrest | Per | Valter | Long evenings |
| Backrest and arms | Otto | Folke | The seat everyone claims; needs more width |
Which height?
Measure from the ground to the underside of the counter or bar top. A counter at 35 to 36 in takes a 26 in seat. A bar at 39 to 40 in takes a 30 in seat. That leaves 9 to 10 in of legroom between the seat and the underside.
Outdoor kitchens are often built to a non-standard height. Tora, Valter and Folke can be made at a custom height in Design Your Own. The teak stools come in 26 and 30 in only.
How many fit?
Allow about 23.5 in per stool, center to center, and more for armrests. A 71 in outdoor counter fits three stools without arms, two or three with.
Stainless frame, a seat that drains
- Low back
- Saga, Tora
- Full back
- Per, Valter
- Arms
- Otto, Folke
