How to Protect Your Outdoor Furniture and Hardscaping from Winter

October 13, 2025

As the chill of fall begins to set in and winter approaches, your outdoor living spaces might be at risk of damage from cold temperatures, moisture, and harsh weather conditions. While many homeowners focus on preparing their lawn and garden beds for winter, outdoor furniture and hardscaping often get overlooked. Protecting these areas is essential to preserving the beauty, functionality, and longevity of your outdoor spaces.



Whether you’ve invested in a beautiful new patio, fire pit, or seating area, or you’re looking for ways to safeguard your hardscaping elements from the elements, we’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to protect your outdoor furniture and hardscaping features for the winter, along with how our expert hardscaping services—such as pouring concrete, paver installation, and gravel/pea pebble installations—can prepare and protect your outdoor space throughout the colder months.


Protecting Your Outdoor Furniture for Winter

While outdoor furniture is built to withstand some exposure to the elements, Chattanooga’s winter weather—although milder than some areas—still presents challenges such as moisture, freezing temperatures, and occasional snow. Here’s how to protect your furniture:

1. Clean and Dry Before Storing
To prevent mold, mildew, or rust from forming on your outdoor furniture, it’s important to clean and dry it thoroughly before storing. If you have metal, wooden, or wicker furniture, wipe down any dirt or debris. Cushions and pillows should be stored in a dry, indoor space to avoid water damage.

2. Cover Your Furniture
If you don’t have space to store your furniture indoors, invest in durable, weatherproof furniture covers. These covers shield your furniture from snow, ice, and rain while allowing air circulation to reduce the risk of mold buildup.

3. Stack and Store Securely
Stacking furniture pieces or storing them under shelter—like a porch or shed—will help keep them safe from the harsh weather. Ensure that everything is stable to avoid damage from strong winds.

Protecting Hardscaping from Winter Damage

Your hardscaping—patios, walkways, fire pits, seating areas, and outdoor kitchens—may be built to last, but even the most durable materials can be vulnerable to the freeze-thaw cycle of winter. That’s where we come in. Not only do we provide expert advice on how to protect your existing hardscaping, but we also offer professional services to install, maintain, and winterize your hardscape features for long-lasting durability.


Here’s how to protect your hardscaping:


1. Seal Concrete and Paver Surfaces

Concrete, stone, and paver surfaces are particularly prone to cracking when exposed to water that freezes and thaws. To protect your hardscaping, consider applying a high-quality sealer that prevents moisture penetration. This simple step can help extend the life of your hardscaping elements by preventing cracking and erosion over time.


  • Concrete Sealing: If you have concrete patios, walkways, or driveways, we can apply a professional-grade sealer to protect your surfaces from moisture damage. The sealant also helps to prevent staining, which can occur from salt or ice-melt chemicals.
  • Paver and Stone Sealing: For paver patios or stone walkways, a sealer helps to lock the stones in place and maintain their appearance by preventing stains and moss growth. We can apply a non-slip, weather-resistant sealer to keep your pavers in top condition.


2. Winterizing Your Fire Pits and Seating Areas

Outdoor fire pits and seating areas are a gathering place for family and friends, even during the winter months. However, to keep these features in top shape, it’s essential to clean and protect them from the elements:


  • Clean and Cover: Remove debris, clean off any remaining ashes, and cover your fire pit with a durable tarp. This will keep snow and rain out of the pit and prevent rust from forming on metal parts.
  • Protect Seating Areas: Whether you have a built-in stone bench or a custom seating area, be sure to clean it regularly and protect it from the harsh weather. For stone seating, sealing can help prevent cracking or erosion.


3. Addressing Cracks in Concrete or Pavers

Before the cold weather sets in, inspect your walkways, patios, and driveways for any visible cracks. If you find any, we recommend filling them with weatherproof filler or sealant to prevent water from seeping in and expanding when it freezes. These small, proactive steps can save you from expensive repairs when the temperatures drop.



Our Expert Hardscaping Services: Concrete, Pavers, Gravel, and More

At Green Ground Solutions, we specialize in creating and maintaining outdoor living spaces that last through the seasons. Our hardscaping services are designed to not only beautify your outdoor areas but to also ensure they’re ready for the challenges of winter.


1. Concrete Pouring for Durable Surfaces

Concrete is a durable and long-lasting material for hardscaping, but it must be installed properly to prevent issues during the winter. We offer professional concrete pouring services for patios, walkways, and driveways that are designed to withstand the freeze-thaw cycle. Our team uses high-quality concrete mixtures and techniques to ensure that your surfaces remain intact through harsh weather conditions.


2. Paver Installation for Elegant, Weather-Resistant Surfaces

Pavers are an excellent option for creating visually appealing and durable walkways, patios, and seating areas. With proper installation, pavers provide an elegant, low-maintenance surface that can withstand cold weather and foot traffic. We specialize in laying pavers in various patterns and styles that enhance the aesthetic of your landscape while ensuring that the surface remains stable even during freezing temperatures.


3. Gravel and Pea Pebble Installations for Functional, Stylish Hardscapes

Gravel and pea pebble installations are a fantastic choice for creating pathways, patios, or seating areas with a natural look. These materials allow for proper drainage and can help prevent erosion during winter. Additionally, gravel and pea pebbles are perfect for sloped areas where water runoff is a concern. Our team can help design and install custom gravel features that blend beautifully into your landscape and provide easy maintenance.



4. Fire Pits, Seating Areas, and Retaining Walls

Fire pits are a popular feature for outdoor spaces, but like any hardscape, they need protection from the weather. We offer custom fire pit installation and seating area design services to create a cozy gathering place in your backyard. Retaining walls, which can help manage water runoff during winter, are another service we provide to enhance your hardscaping.



Winterizing Your Outdoor Space

While the idea of preparing your outdoor hardscaping for winter might seem daunting, our team is here to make the process easy. From sealing and protecting your surfaces to offering expert installation of durable materials, we ensure that your outdoor living space remains safe, functional, and beautiful throughout the winter months.


By winterizing your hardscaping, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your investments are protected. Whether you need a new paver patio, a custom concrete walkway, or a gravel seating area, we’ve got you covered.



Don’t wait until the first freeze to start protecting your hardscaping. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or consultation and make sure your outdoor living space is ready for whatever winter throws its way!

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