Stylish iron seating for the garden or patio: Practical tips before you buy
When choosing outdoor seating furniture, a homeowner may prefer to buy metal chairs, or even a table and other accessories, because metal, in its various types, is long-lasting, and metal garden (or patio) furniture made of metal has many options. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of the different materials to make the best decision.
Metal outdoor seating furniture is made of either aluminum, steel, wrought iron, steel, or stainless steel. Here’s an overview of each material, in the context of outdoor seating furniture, in the following lines.
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Aluminum is a perfect choice for garden furniture
Folding Metal Outdoor Furniture
Aluminum is used in a range of outdoor applications due to the material’s strength, lightness, durability, as well as resistance to corrosion and rust. These qualities make aluminum a popular choice for outdoor seating furniture, without losing sight of its visual appeal. However, corrosion resistance is a process that occurs differently in every indoor environment, so it can sometimes be difficult to predict how aluminum will fare outdoors.
Sitting on the patio, where a colorful metal chair appears
To err on the side of caution, many homeowners choose to treat aluminum with an additional layer of protection, such as epoxy paint, to give the furniture added resistance. Others, however, may find it unnecessary to coat aluminum with a protective coating, and simply sprinkle salt on the furniture to ensure it stands up to Mother Nature.
Steel outdoor session furniture is durable and sturdy
Another standout in the garden furniture market is steel, which is known for its strength and durability, and requires relatively low maintenance, allowing you to focus more on enjoying your outdoor space. The heft of steel provides stability, but the weight can be a potential drawback for those who prefer to move and rearrange their furniture regularly. Despite the overall durability of steel outdoor seating furniture, without proper treatment or coating, steel may be prone to rusting in humid climates.
Wrought iron is an elegant looking material
Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron is another popular choice for outdoor seating furniture, as the material has strength, elegant appearance, acceptable weight, and good corrosion resistance. Wrought iron is often the first material that comes to mind, when people think of outdoor seating furniture. The material has a classic, vintage look, with curved designs and intricate details. Wrought iron is made through the process of molding hot iron into desired shapes. However, wrought iron outdoor seating furniture is not suitable for coastal environments, as it tends to rust very quickly in areas that are frequently exposed to moisture and salty sea air.
In addition, wrought iron requires regular maintenance, such as: Painting or powder coating to protect it from corrosion, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Stainless steel is expensive
Stainless steel outdoor seating furniture looks modern, albeit expensive, with benefits for the user, such as: Durability, as it won’t scratch or dent easily, even over the years, as well as resistance to different temperatures, corrosion, and low maintenance requirements, compared to other metal options. This furniture is especially suitable for areas with high humidity levels.
With regular cleaning and polishing of your stainless steel outdoor seating furniture, the pieces can last indefinitely, maintaining a beautiful shine for years.
Thicker gauge stainless steel is less likely to corrode, over time, because it has superior strength and greater galvanic protection when exposed to water or other elements. The grade of stainless steel is also important; grade 304 is the most popular choice for outdoor use because it contains higher levels of chromium which provides superior corrosion resistance.
Outdoor furniture cleaning
Four multi-colored metal chairs in the garden
Regardless of the material chosen for your garden furniture, you should clean your outdoor furniture regularly, using a mild detergent or polish, to prevent scratches and rust stains. Applying protective coatings (wax, for example) will help reduce color fading due to sun exposure. These steps will go a long way in extending the life of your metal furniture.
