With so many choices, shopping for outdoor furniture can be overwhelming. You might love the look of wicker, but will it hold up on your sun-drenched patio? Wood may seem like the most durable, but does it require too much maintenance?
To help you answer questions like these and more, we've compiled a list of the most common outdoor furniture materials and the characteristics that distinguish them. With these facts as your guide, you can make a choice based on what you like and what’s right for the way you live outdoors.
Wood:
Characteristics:
Substantial look and feel
Can be left outdoors year-round
Easy to clean with soap and water
Looks natural in an outdoor environment
May require routine maintenance
Heavy weight keeps it stable
Does not absorb heat, so it's always cool to the touch
Varieties:
Eucalyptus is a plantation-grown hardwood that is sustainably harvested. Its beautiful grain, rich color and smooth finish are as attractive as teak, however it’s less expensive and easier to maintain. The wood is naturally dense, although not as strong as Balau. It has a high oil content so it weathers beautifully. Over time, the wood will turn to a soft gray, or it can be stained to maintain the rich honey-red tones.
Balau is a tropical hardwood. It's more dense than teak and is in plentiful supply, so Balau furniture is more affordable and it will withstand years of exposure to the elements. Treating the wood occasionally with wood oil will preserve the natural color, but no arduous maintenance is required to keep this durable wood looking good.
Teak has become one of the most prized woods for outdoor furniture because it is naturally dense, durable and highly resistant to rot and decay. Once the preferred hardwood for shipbuilding and decking, teak is now primarily grown on plantations due to dwindling supplies. The high demand and short supply of this handsome, top-quality wood makes it one of the more expensive materials used for outdoor furniture. The reward for such an investment is furniture that will look good and stand strong through decades of continued outdoor use.
For more information on the varieties of wood used in outdoor furniture, see our article Woods for Outdoor Furniture.
WICKER
Characteristics:
Distinctive look
Strong
Lightweight
Comfortable
Variety of styles and colors
Available in a wide range of prices
All-weather varieties can be left outdoors
Varieties:
Rattan is a vine that is native to Southeast Asia. It is sturdy and solid, and has been used to make furniture in America since the mid-1800s. Although rattan is extremely durable, it can be damaged by direct exposure to sunlight and moisture unless treated. Most natural rattan pieces are used indoors or, if treated, they may be placed on a screened or covered porch. Quality wicker furniture will have a tight, uniform weave with no splinters that may catch clothing or become unraveled.
All-Weather synthetic materials like resin can be woven to offer the classic look of natural rattan with more strength and resistance to rot, so that they rival wood or metal for durability. With frames of either core rattan or aluminum, all-weather wicker furniture can be left outdoors year-round. Resin is UV-resistant so it will not fade or dry out. To keep it clean, just spray off with water and use a mild detergent periodically.
ALUMINUM
Characteristics:
Long-lasting
Will not rust
Easy to maintain
Easy to move
Surface may get hot in direct sunlight
More formal look
Range in prices
Varieties:
Tubular hollow aluminum is used frequently for outdoor furniture. The tubes are cut and bent to create frame elements and then they are welded or bolted together. Tubular aluminum is lighter in weight so it may not be suitable for areas with high winds. It’s durable and rustproof but not as sturdy as solid aluminum, so it is typically less expensive.
Wrought Aluminum is forged to create designs that are simple and elegant. Furniture that is made from solid metal rather than hollow tubing will be more substantial. Joints should be fully welded rather than bolted together for optimal durability. If joints are bolted, the hardware should be stainless steel or aluminum to prevent rusting.
Cast Aluminum is distinctly different from wrought aluminum furniture because of the incredible detail of its designs. Molten aluminum is poured into hand carved molds and allowed to cool to create striking designs. Cast aluminum is equally as strong, durable and weather-resistant, however the elaborate detail can make it more costly. All quality aluminum pieces will have a powder-coat finish that will give the metal its color and also increase its weather-resistance.
Now that you know the features and benefits of each of these common outdoor furniture materials, here are some questions to ask yourself.
What is the intended use for your outdoor furniture?
What are your space limitations?
What is your budget for furnishing your outdoor room?
Which style do you prefer?
Will you be moving your furniture frequently?
Are you able to provide the recommended care?
Will the furniture require outdoor cushions? How much will that add to the overall cost?
Is your outdoor space extremely wet or sunny?
The answers, along with your familiarity with each of the materials above, will be invaluable when it’s time to buy your outdoor furniture.
For even more helpful information,
see our article Outdoor Furniture, Your Way.
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