Can I leave a hammock stand outside all year round?

A woman sat in her hammock and stand by the pool

Hammocks can make your garden more fun and colourful and are a perfect addition to your outdoor area, especially for the summertime, however, many people believe hammocks and stands aren’t suitable for colder seasons, which is why we’ve put together this blog to help you maintain the quality and safety of your hammock stand all year round. It is particularly important to look after both the stand and the hammock to ensure the longevity and safety of the hammock. One question that many of our customers seem to have is whether or not they can leave their hammock stand outside all year round. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the type of hammock stand you have, the weather conditions in your area, and how frequently you take care of your stand.

It's important to consider the type of hammock stand you have. Hammock stands are typically made from one of these materials: metal, or wood. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to leaving them outside all year round.

A woman sat on her bright red, orange, yellow and light green hammock on a wooden stand, in her garden.

Wooden hammock stands can look beautiful in your garden or on your patio, but they often require more maintenance than metal stands. If you leave a wooden hammock stand outside all year round, it will be exposed to the elements, which can cause it to rot or decay over time. Our stands like the Apollo are made from FSC-certified wood and undergo a special weatherproofing process to make the stand more resistant. As a preventative measure, it's important to treat your wooden hammock stand with a protective sealant or varnish. Additionally, you may need to cover it with a tarp or other protective covering during the winter months to prevent damage from snow and ice, as the ice can also expand and create cracks in the wood, making it less stable.

A woman sat by the lake in her brightly coloured barbados papaya hammock and metal stand.

Metal hammock stands are generally more durable than wooden stands and can withstand harsher weather conditions better. However, metal stands are prone to rust, especially if they're exposed to moisture for long periods of time. To prevent rust from forming, it's important to keep your metal hammock stand dry and to apply a rust-resistant coating or paint. We recommend storing your metal stands in your shed, it’s super compact and takes up less space than a Barbecue, once folded correctly.

In addition to the type of hammock stand you have, it's important to consider the weather conditions in your area. If you live in an area with cold and wet winters, it may not be a good idea to leave your hammock stand outside all year round. Snow and ice can cause damage to the stand, and extremely cold temperatures can cause materials like wood to crack. In this case, it's best to store your hammock stand indoors or in a covered area during the winter months like mentioned above a shed, garage or even a cover could do the trick!

Lastly, it's important to take care of your hammock stand properly to ensure it lasts as long as possible. This includes regularly cleaning the stand to remove dirt and debris, applying protective coatings as needed, and storing it in a dry, covered area when not in use. Make sure to not use abrasive cleaning products or stripping chemicals as these can also cause more damage than good.

Whether or not you can leave your hammock stand outside all year round depends on several factors. Wooden stands require more maintenance and may not be suitable for harsher weather conditions, while metal stands are more weather-resistant but require rust and UV protection. Ultimately, it's important to choose a high-quality stand, take care of it properly, and consider the weather conditions in your area when deciding whether to leave it outside all year round. If you’d like to browse through our collection of high-quality, durable stands click here.