Ideas & Inspiration

Materials You Can Use for Outdoor Furniture

October 10, 2018
4 min
22

Outdoor furniture comprises a variety of items such as sofas and stools, recliners, chaise lounges, regular and picnic tables to enjoy barbeques, hammocks and much more. This vast choice of fixtures gives you enough scope to play around with different materials and colours to enliven the patio you are designing for your clients.

Here is advice on the different supplies you can use to decorate outdoor furniture, plus tips on how to maintain each one, so as to prolong their lifespan and make them endure enough to withstand the effect of the elements.

Aluminum

Aluminum has been one of the oldest favorites for outdoor furniture. It is lightweight, durable and not prone to rust. What’s more; it is also easy on the budget and, once installed, does not need too much maintenance. Powder coated aluminum is available in a variety of colours – that not only looks good but also works to form a protective coating over the furniture.

Maintenance

Just dust it regularly. For a more thorough finish, wash it once in a way with soap water, rinse and dry.

Here is an image of outdoor aluminum sunbeds from Cane-line.

Plastic and Polymer

Moulded plastic and polymer furniture are a great choice for placing on the patio. They are extremely lightweight and portable, low-maintenance, comfortable and cheerful, available in a variety of colours and patterns, and do not require re-painting. High-quality recycled plastic and resin furniture can be made to look very similar to wooden furniture, without having to endure the various challenges presented by the latter in outdoor conditions. These items are also resistant to moisture, stains and insect attacks.

Maintenance

Select UV-stabilized plastic furniture to keep it fade-resistant. Merely wipe the fixtures with a damp cloth or rinse to keep them clean.

Steel

Steel is always one of the best choices for outdoor furniture. Though much heavier than aluminum and plastic, it is still lighter than wrought iron and requires lesser maintenance. When exposed to sunlight for long, it can become hot to the touch. You can minimize this by placing pillows and cushions made from fade-resistant fabric.

Maintenance

Stainless steel is rustproof by nature, so that requires practically no maintenance. If that is not the case, you should apply a protective finish to prevent damage caused by rust and other elements. Just wipe with a damp cloth or rinse with mild soap to keep it clean.

Here is a modern dining table made of steel and reclaimed wood.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is durable, sturdy and is resistant to most weather conditions. Hence, it is a good choice for external furniture. However, it is heavy and not easily movable. Also, it needs to be protected against rust if it is not already powder-coated. It is available in a variety of finishes and patterns, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary. You can use cushions for additional comfort.

Maintenance

Apply an anti-rust coating and paint it to cover cracks as and when necessary. Wash with mild detergent to clean the fixtures.

Here is a wrought iron dining table set.

Wicker

Wicker and Rattan are great choices for the outdoors, as they are lightweight and easily portable. Stylish and comfortable, they are the best for porches and decks. They are available in a wide variety of colours and materials and give the patio that wonderful rustic touch as well.

Maintenance

Wash with a mild detergent to keep clean. Choose cushions made of fade-resistant, all-weather fabric.

Here are ideas to decorate your sit-out with wicker furniture.

Wood

Wooden furniture always has that undying class and appeal, irrespective of where it is placed. The flip side of this material, however, is that it can prove to be expensive and high-maintenance, especially when you place it outdoors, where it receives maximum exposure to the external elements. Seasoned wood is resistant to most weather conditions but can be tough on the budget.

Maintenance

Wood requires a lot more maintenance than most other materials. Some fixtures may also need a type of preservative coating to protect against weather and insect attacks. In case you are using paint, use UV filters to prevent fading.

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