When purchasing patio furniture, it’s essential that it be made from resilient and weather-resistant materials. UV rays can lead to material deterioration; rain and humidity can promote mold growth that leads to mildew growth; so choosing pieces made from such materials will extend their life expectancy considerably.
A quality outdoor furniture should withstand harsh climate conditions year-round, such as selecting pieces made of rust-resistant aluminum, all-weather rattan with an aluminum frame or sustainably produced HDPE.
Metal
Metal furniture offers several advantages when used outdoors, including its durability and strength. But like any material, it may also come with disadvantages, such as corrosion accelerating wear-and-tear while prolonged UV ray exposure leads to fading, cracking and warping of your patio furniture. With proper care and maintenance practices you can extend the lifespan of your metal patio furniture!
Your choice of metal for patio furniture depends on your local climate. Aluminum furniture, for instance, is best suited for humid or coastal environments as it resists rust and corrosion more effectively than steel or wrought iron frames do. Furthermore, due to being lightweight aluminum frames allow you to move them more easily than their heavier counterparts.
Stainless steel is another great material choice for outdoor applications, being both rust-free and needing no painting or sealing; making it the ideal material choice in humid or saltwater areas. However, due to being heavier, more maintenance may be required than with aluminum.
Teak
Teak wood patio furniture is a top choice due to its durability and natural resistance to climate extremes. Teak is impervious to rain, humidity and sun UV rays while possessing natural oils which repel unwanted pests. Over time, teak weathers naturally into a beautiful silver-gray tone and only requires periodic maintenance with mild soap and water cleaning solutions.
Teak may be more costly, but its durability makes it a sound investment for outdoor seating. Available in different forms – chairs, benches and tables – teak makes an elegant and timeless seating solution, perfect for pairing with plush Sunbrella cushions in neutral colors to create inviting environments that last over time.
Cedar is an economical alternative to teak that’s simple to care for and maintain. Growing slowly over hardwood, cedar’s dense grain resists moisture penetration better and offers natural beauty in any outdoor space – creating a relaxed and welcoming ambience. Plus, cedar’s low thermal conductivity helps keep it cool in hot climates; repel insects naturally; has natural antibacterial and antifungal protection properties and resists moisture intrusion too!
Polywood
Polywood patio furniture resembles wooden pieces in both look and durability, yet is much stronger. Resistant to rot, cracking, splintering and temperature fluctuations without breaking down or becoming brittle, Polywood requires no staining or painting to maintain its appearance – its color is protected with special pigments for longevity without discoloring over time.
Plastic furniture is also less costly and easier to maintain than wood furniture, and comes in various styles that will complement the colors in your landscaping. According to Better Homes & Gardens, pieces which match this color palette may make the space more visually pleasing.
Another key advantage of this type of furniture is that it won’t attract termites if you live in an area with high populations of these insects; similarly, it won’t splinter which could prove painful to anyone sitting or lying down on it. Furthermore, this lightweight furniture makes moving pieces around during strong winds or storms much simpler; and can even be stored away easily for winter storage if required. When purchasing outdoor furniture for your home it is essential that you take into account its climate requirements, style preferences, maintenance capabilities and budget when selecting pieces suitable pieces from this kind.
Steel
Steel patio furniture brings modern flair and sturdy support to outdoor seating areas. However, metal can rust when exposed to moisture from dewdrops on grass blades, pooled water on patio floors or raindrops landing directly on tables and chairs. Therefore, this type of furniture should be covered with protective finish or regularly maintained to prevent moisture corrosion of its metal framework.
Stainless steel is an ideal material choice for humid climates as it resists corrosion more effectively than aluminum and wrought iron, yet can quickly rust if left exposed to the elements. Zinc galvanizing treatment should be applied in order to safeguard it and extend its life expectancy.
Polywood outdoor furniture is a more budget-friendly alternative than steel and is constructed using recycled plastics from recycled bottles, making it weatherproof, resistant to rot, mildew and insects, with minimal maintenance requirements. However, its downsides include that it splinters over extended sitting sessions as it weighs more and may make rearrangement of furniture difficult.
Polyester
One of the key considerations when purchasing patio furniture is how well it stands up against different climatic conditions. Weather-resistant options typically feature materials which are moisture resistant and capable of withstanding temperature changes without degenerating quickly; additionally they tend to be sturdy yet low maintenance requirements making them a reliable long-term investment.
Not only is the material of outdoor furniture important, its design also plays a key role in its lifespan. Wrought iron designs have fallen out of favour due to their heavyweight and tendency for rust. Molded plastic designs like high-grade polyethylene and polypropylene offer superior sculptural options with lightweight construction for effortless mobility.
Polyester is a tough and scratch-resistant fabric, providing protection from mildew, stains and water damage as well as being breathable for air circulation. However, polyester may not provide as much comfort when worn during hotter summer days and isn’t an easy fabric to dye, so might not fit with your desired color scheme.
Hardwoods such as teak, acacia and cedar make durable weather-resistant outdoor furniture options; in particular, IPE (also known as Brazilian walnut). While more costly, IPE has minimal maintenance requirements over its decades-long lifespan and natural weather resistance that makes it the best option in any climate.
Olefin
Olefin is a synthetic polymer material designed to resist fading and wear well, making it an excellent choice for patio furniture. To maintain vibrant colors for extended sunlight exposure, solution-dying technology has been employed to ensure pigments penetrate deep into fibers; this prevents fabric fading while offering a variety of vibrant hues.
Olefin fabric quickly dries after rainstorms, making it ideal for areas that experience frequent precipitation. Furthermore, its moisture-wicking capabilities help cushions and seats remain fresh while its nonflammability meets low emission standards for safe indoor use.
Sunbrella is another popular outdoor fabric, but it does have some drawbacks in harsh weather environments. Although fade-resistant and durable, Sunbrella can be more costly than alternative materials and pill more easily than some. Sunbrella can also become vulnerable to mold and mildew growth; for this reason it should only be used in protected spaces. Olefin offers more affordability while still offering durability against staining while being lighter than its synthetic counterparts allowing easy repositioning in different parts of your yard and more textures and weaves options when designing outdoor living spaces than acrylic; providing more design possibilities when used outdoors!
