Patios are an extension of the home, and with the right decor and furniture, we can make it a beautiful outdoor oasis. Outdoor furniture is expensive, so the last thing we want is for it to be stolen or swept up in a storm. If we want our patio furniture to last, we need to secure it to our patio.
The best way to secure patio furniture to concrete is by bolting it down – this will protect it from theft and prevent it from blowing away. We can also fix it to concrete with weights or tie it together and secure it to a solid object or wall ring.
It’s dangerous to have garden furniture flying around in the wind because it can cause injury or damage property. If any outdoor furniture isn’t secure – it’s also more at risk of theft. To help keep furniture safe, we’ll tell you how to secure patio furniture to concrete in 4 practical ways.
4 Ways to Secure Patio Furniture to Concrete
Secure patio furniture to concrete by bolting it down with screws and brackets. Use weights or earthquake putty to keep furniture in place or tie it together with a chain, cable, bungee cord, or rope.
To ensure that the patio furniture doesn’t go astray, use the methods below to secure it to concrete.
Method #1 – Bolt it down
Bolting furniture down is the most effective way to keep it in place. To bolt furniture down, we need a drill with a masonry bit, metal L-shaped brackets, and bolts and screws to fit the holes. We can also buy kits containing brackets and screws needed to secure furniture to concrete.
The downside to bolting furniture is that it’s permanently fixed down, so we can’t move it around. Also, we can only bolt down wooden furniture because we can’t drill holes in plastic, metal, or iron. If we don’t have DIY skills, we should get a professional to do it – so we don’t damage the floor.
Method #2 – Tie the furniture together and anchor it down
We can keep patio furniture securely in place if we tie it together using bungee, rope, steel security cables, or a chain. Tying the furniture with metal cables or a chain is more secure because fabric cords can break and are easy for thieves to cut through.
Furniture has a greater mass when tied together, so it won’t be as easy for the wind to pick it up or for a thief to take it. For the best results, stack the furniture tightly before tying it together so the wind can’t blow it apart.
To make the tied furniture even more secure, attach it to a solid object, like a fence post or tree. We can also attach metal wall rings to the floor or a nearby surface and tie the furniture to these – use several for extra strength.
The downside to tying up furniture is that we must untie it each time we want to use it.
Method #3 – Use furniture weights
Attach weights to the furniture to prevent it from blowing away. Furniture weights are usually either bags or solid containers, to which we add sand or water to give them weight. They have straps or ties and come in many sizes to fit chairs, tables, and gazebos.
Buy ready-made furniture weights or make your own with old dumbbells or concrete in a bucket. We can make sandbags to suit our outdoor decor if we enjoy sewing or stitching.
The benefit of furniture weights is that we can move our furniture around when removing the weight. They are also good for plastic furniture, which we can’t bolt down. The drawback of furniture weights is that they are bulky and don’t look very attractive.
Method #4 – Use putty or heavy-duty adhesive
Quake putty or heavy-duty adhesive can keep furniture in place up to a point. They’re not the strongest option, and putty will wear down over time, but it will help prevent furniture from moving around. Silicone adhesives or caulk can work sometimes, too.
Quake putty is also known as museum putty, and it’s easy to put it on the base of furniture to help secure it. Using heavy-duty adhesive is another option to stop furniture from moving around.
Before using putty or adhesive – clean the area with alcohol first and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. They usually take 24 hours to set.
When to Secure Patio Furniture to Concrete (vs. other methods)
Use the methods above to secure patio furniture to concrete if living in a place with regular strong winds or if there are robberies in the area. Alternatively, use weighted cushions, heavy furniture, a windbreaker, or a heavy-duty cover to keep furniture in place.
Below, we’ll explore four alternative methods to stop patio furniture from moving around.
Alternative method #1 – Use weighted cushions
Weighted cushions are an ideal solution to help keep patio furniture in place when living in a mild climate with little wind. They come in many styles and designs and are attractive – and we can match them with our decor.
Alternative method #2 – Use a heavy-duty cover
Use a heavy-duty cover to keep patio furniture in place and protect it from the elements. A cover will add extra weight to furniture and create a barrier to stop the wind from sweeping it up. Choose a cover with wind vents – so it does not form a parachute and blow off.
The downside to covers is that we have to take them on and off, and they won’t prevent theft but may be a deterrent. Also, in high winds, potentially a cover can blow off.
To reduce the chances of losing the cover, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when putting it on. DIY covers, such as tarpaulins, won’t prevent our furniture from blowing away.
Alternative method #3 – Use heavy furniture
Using heavy furniture is an effortless way to stop patio furniture from blowing around. Furniture constructed with hardwood, iron, and stone will stay firmly on the patio because of its weight. Another benefit of heavy furniture is that it’s durable and long-lasting.
Alternative method #4 – Install a windbreaker
Adding a windbreaker to a patio is an effective way to keep furniture in place. It will redirect the wind and prevent furniture from blowing away. We can use plants, such as bushes and shrubs, to make a barrier or build a screen or fence.
The drawback to windbreakers is that they can be expensive and create more maintenance if we make one from plants. If we build a fence as a barrier, ensure it’s solid to deflect the wind. Slats and chain link fences won’t work.
If we don’t want to install a windbreaker, in some cases, we can use our home to protect furniture from the wind. Move furniture into a wall or corner outside. If it’s out in the open, it’s more likely to blow away.
Outdoor Furniture That Can Be Bolted Down
Wooden outdoor furniture can easily be bolted down to concrete because it is easy to put screws in wood without it breaking. Wood is solid and will not bend, so it will stay securely on the ground when bolted down. Other furniture types may not be bolted down as easily.
Bolt down sectional furniture if it’s made from wood.
Sectional furniture comes in many materials, such as wood, plastic, wicker, and aluminum, but we can only bolt wooden sectional furniture to the ground. To make sectional furniture more secure, clip it together to give it more weight.
Outdoor Furniture That Can’t Be Attached to Concrete
Do not attach plastic or resin furniture to concrete because it is hard to put in screws without damaging the furniture. Plastic furniture is made from molds, and we might crack or damage it if we try to put holes in it. It is also difficult to attach wicker and iron furniture to a concrete patio.
It’s not physically possible to put screws in wicker or iron furniture to hold it down. Iron furniture usually won’t blow away due to its weight. But, if we want to attach iron furniture to concrete, we could get a welder to put secure holes in it.
Securing Patio Furniture FAQs
This article is dedicated to helping you understand and have the right information. Next up, let’s answer some FAQs. If we haven’t answered your question yet, we hope to do so here! If we miss your question, please use our contact us page to let us know. We’ll do our best to respond directly to your emailed question – and update this article so that other readers get their answers, too.
How do you keep patio furniture from blowing away?
The best way to stop patio furniture from blowing away is to use heavy furniture made from hardwood or iron. The weight alone will help anchor them down, although they may need to be bolted down (or brought indoors) in severe weather.
To keep lightweight furniture from blowing away, tie it together with a cord, rope, cable, or chain and attach it to a solid object or metal wall ring. We can also put up a windbreaker to prevent furniture from blowing away.
How do I get my patio furniture to stay in place?
The best way to get patio furniture to stay in place is by bolting into the concrete or patio. Bolting the furniture down will help prevent theft and stop it from blowing around in most storms.
Bolting furniture is one of the most effective ways to keep it in place. The downside is that we can’t move the furniture around. Also, we can’t bolt all furniture to concrete, only wooden items.
Important note: bolting furniture down in the most severe storms may not be enough. It may still be removed or destroyed.
However, bolting furniture down can protect it from “normal” wind and smaller storms.
How do you secure patio furniture in a storm?
Ideally, bring any patio or outdoor furniture indoors if a severe storm or hurricane occurs. If furniture cannot be brought inside, use a heavy-duty cover to keep it together and give it more weight, or bolt it down if possible.
A cover will stop the wind from blowing furniture around and protect it from the rain. For extra security, tie the furniture together before covering it. Even if the cover blows off – the furniture will be anchored together and less likely to blow away.
How do you weigh down patio chairs?
Weigh down patio chairs with weighted cushions or furniture weights. Weighted cushions go on the chair seat, and furniture weights go on the legs.
Weighted cushions aren’t as heavy as furniture weights, so they won’t stop chairs from blowing around in the strong wind or a storm. Furniture weights are better at keeping chairs in place, but they don’t look as attractive as weighted cushions, which come in many colors and designs.
How do you secure patio furniture from theft?
The best way to secure patio furniture from theft is by bolting it to the concrete or tying it up with security cables or a chain. We can also put up sensor lights or security cameras to deter thieves from the garden.
If the patio is exposed to the street or public area, putting up a secure fence will also prevent people from stealing it.
Setting up security cameras will not only (hopefully) deter theft, but it can help identify thieves if the furniture does get taken. Make sure you get a video that can do clear nighttime shots.
Do security cables secure patio furniture from theft?
Connecting and securing patio furniture with security cables is a fantastic way to secure it from theft. Security cables are usually made from steel or metal, so thieves usually will not have the tools or take the time to cut through them.
We can also tie our furniture up with a chain and a padlock to secure it from theft.
This isn’t to say it will always prevent theft; a solid set of bolt cutters can cut through many security cables. The cables will, however, deter most thefts of opportunity.
Best Products For Securing Patio Furniture To Concrete
Having the right equipment to properly secure your patio or other outdoor furniture will make the job a ton easier – and faster. And while we don’t get dangerous thunderstorms or funnel clouds (knock on wood!) in our area, we do get hurricane-force winds. So here are some of the things we’ve used to secure items into the ground.
If you’re wanting to bolt your furniture into the ground, you’re going to need to use a drill (like this DEWALT), along with the right-sized masonry drill bit (here’s a decently-priced set of various sizes) to make the holes in the concrete. You won’t need the masondry drill bit set for the furniture – a regular drill bit should work. Just make sure the holes are all the right sizes for the bolt you’re going to use. Here’s a set of bolts to cover your bases.
If you’re connecting items to a wooden patio, then you may want to use some combination of steel eye hooks, corner brackets (L brackets), security cables (like this one), locks (here’s a good basic lock), and bolts to get the job done.
To keep furniture together, bungee cords (like this set that has a lot of size options) can be a great way to get the job started. For example, if you’ve got an iron patio table and chairs, you could bungee wrap the chairs to the table. Then, drape the whole thing with a heavy-duty, waterproof cover (like this one) to keep things safely on the ground and protected.
To connect items with adhesives, here are two great products by Gorilla glue: construction adhesive and removable mounting putty squares.
One of the most important pieces of yard furniture to secure is the trampoline. You will want to use corkscrew anchors and straps to secure it so it doesn’t fly away – especially if the trampoline has a protective net around the top. Those things act like sails in strong winds!
Most new trampoline sets come with an anchor set. If yours didn’t (or you need a new set), here’s a great kit that comes with everything you’ll need to anchor your trampoline safely. Our trampoline has survived a handful of hurricane force winds intact with this style of anchor kit. This kit isn’t designed to anchor a trampoline in concrete, though.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
To secure patio furniture to concrete, we have several options to choose from – and we should select a method depending on our requirements. If we live in a windy area where thieves are more likely to steal furniture, we should bolt our furniture to the ground.
Bolting furniture to the ground is the most effective way to secure it to concrete, but the drawback is that we can’t move it around. If we want a less permanent option, we can use furniture weights, weighted cushions, or a heavy-duty furniture cover to keep furniture in place.
Or, we could install a windbreaker. Another concern is whether the patio furniture will scratch the deck. Click here to find out how to prevent furniture damage to your deck or patio.
Resources
Learning from your own experience is important, but learning from others is also smart. These sources were used in this article and our research to be more informed as we DIY and decorate our homestead.
- DI Editorial Team & Writers. (2021, October 19). How To Secure Patio Furniture. Designing Idea. https://designingidea.com/how-to-secure-patio-furniture/
- Jalapeno Solutions. (2022, May 26). How To Secure Patio Chairs To Concrete. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecywl-8f4eE
- Jamie, J. (2022, February 5). 9 Ways How to Secure Outdoor Furniture from Wind. The Backyard Pros. https://thebackyardpros.com/how-to-secure-outdoor-furniture-from-wind/
- Outdoor, E. (2019, May 23). How to Secure Outdoor Furniture in High Winds. ECCB Outdoor Blog. http://blog.eccboutdoor.com/2019/05/23/how-to-secure-outdoor-furniture-in-high-winds/