When purchasing outdoor patio furniture, choose materials that suit both your style and lifestyle. Certain materials are better suited to specific weather conditions than others; others require additional upkeep or require less frequent servicing than others.
Durability is equally essential in Calgary’s windy environments. To keep from being caught off guard in a gust of wind, look for heavy materials that won’t easily be dislodged by gusts of air.
Teak
Researching outdoor furniture will likely bring up teak wood as one of the materials of choice, due to both its elegance and its durability. Teak is known for being resistant to rot, fungus and other environmental hazards while its high level of natural oils makes it water resistant; making it suitable for use around pools or in other humid environments where moisture may damage wood products.
Teak wood comes from trees in India, South America, Thailand and Malaysia and is harvested using sustainable techniques. Teak is renowned as an extremely dense, strong and durable hardwood used for shipbuilding for centuries; as patio furniture it requires little upkeep or care beyond an occasional application of mineral oil for optimal look and durability. Teak is treated with preservatives to slow its natural aging process while you can keep its appearance looking its best with preservative treatments applied during production or maintenance applications of mineral oil.
Others wood types often used in outdoor furniture include cedar and cypress; while both of these options remain good choices, teak stands out as being superior due to its exceptional resistance against mold and mildew growth, as well as its durability against abrasions. While teak furniture may be costly upfront, its investment will bring lasting returns for generations.
Wicker outdoor furniture is another popular choice, constructed of synthetic fibers woven together into an attractive material that’s weather-resistant and easy to keep clean. Although weatherproof, its durability means it can endure the elements as well as climate extremes – although some users find its comfort lacking during hot temperatures.
Those seeking the look of wicker with more durable furniture should opt for furniture made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This thermoplastic has been specifically developed to endure more wear and tear than other plastics while remaining colorfast compared to synthetic materials and more cost effective; though HDPE may scratch or dent easily.
Aluminum
When selecting metal patio furniture, there are various choices available to you. Wrought iron is an elegant heavy metal that adds classical elements to your outdoor space while remaining sturdy and weather resistant; rust resistance coatings should also be considered a priority when purchasing Wrought iron pieces. Aluminum is another popular material choice that stands up well under various climate conditions while stainless steel has proven itself time and again as the go-to material.
Aluminum patio furniture is another popular material choice because of its lightweight and adaptable nature. Extrusion or casting techniques allow this material to be formed into various shapes and sizes to match various decor styles, while its corrosion-free surface resists moisture accumulation – ideal for humid climates where mold and mildew flourish.
One drawback of aluminum furniture is its tendency to get very hot under direct sunlight, especially if sitting directly in front of it. To maintain optimal comfort when using aluminum furniture it is recommended to place it in an shady spot or cover it with cushions or blankets when sitting directly in front of it. Furthermore, aluminum furniture does not stand up as strongly against pressure as wrought iron does, potentially denting or even bowing under pressure; for this reason it’s crucial that longer sections have strong construction with minimum welds.
Aluminum furniture is not only eco-friendly, but is also easily maintained using soap and water – keeping it looking its best all year round! Furthermore, this material’s heat resistance makes it the perfect material choice for outdoor dining environments like barbecues.
Considerations when purchasing a patio set include durability, style and maintenance needs. When it comes to materials used for patio sets, quality should always come first in terms of withstanding heavy use while resisting stains and scratches – consider your time commitment in upkeep as well.
Stainless Steel
Steel furniture is an excellent way for restaurants, pubs and bars that want to add industrial style to their outdoor seating areas. Thanks to its strength, steel can withstand frequent cleaning while remaining moisture-resistant compared to aluminum and iron metals such as corrosion. However, its weight makes rearrangement or relocation difficult; therefore it may not be suitable in locations prone to high winds.
Steel is an increasingly popular material, yet not the most eco-friendly choice. To reduce its carbon footprint, recycled stainless steel may be better; its durability matches that of regular steel yet comes from more sustainable sources. If you prefer steel patio furniture over this alternative option, look for galvanized or stainless steel pieces with zinc coating or chromium content to protect it against rusting and corrosion in damp climates.
Metal furniture’s main limitation lies in its susceptibility to rust, which occurs in damp climates when moisture and salt collect on its surface. To minimize rusting issues, opt for styles powder coated in various colors ranging from traditional black and white hues through vibrant blues, reds and greens.
Other materials to consider for furniture projects include larch, a tropical hardwood that resembles teak. Eucalyptus also boasts natural oils that make it suitable for humid environments, and plastic resin and rattan are lightweight yet long-term durable options that require minimal upkeep.
When providing customers with superior quality furniture, selecting materials that can withstand weathering and repeated use are of utmost importance. Teak, aluminum and stainless steel all have distinct advantages when selecting outdoor furniture materials; recycled plastic and synthetic resin wicker may also prove suitable. When selecting HPDE wicker over cheaper PVC synthetics which unravel and become brittle over time. HPDE also comes in various colors and textures to suit any aesthetic while cleaning is easy!
Rattan
Rattan is an eco-friendly material that makes for versatile design applications. Woven into sofas, chairs and other furniture pieces to form unique and elegant designs. With its soft texture and rich hues that ooze elegance into outdoor spaces. Not to mention its exotic tropical scent that gives this material its exotic tropical character! Additionally, its durability makes rattan an excellent choice for outdoor furniture use.
Rattan furniture stands out as an eco-friendly material due to its natural moisture resistance. Additionally, its maintenance requirements are minimal and its lightweight nature make it suitable for people with limited mobility or those looking for easy moving of their furniture around. Available in various colors, shapes and weave patterns for your perfect look in your space!
Rattan is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and other water-related damages, making it an excellent choice for use in damp or humid climates. Furthermore, rattan’s durability allows it to withstand sudden temperature changes more easily than natural materials like wood or plastics.
Wrought iron once dominated outdoor furniture usage, but due to its susceptibility to rust and heavy weight it has since fallen out of favor. Nowadays it is more often employed indoors or decorative applications; however, it still makes an ideal choice for sturdy outdoor pieces that will withstand all conditions.
Plastics, polyethylene and resin have become increasingly popular as outdoor furniture choices due to their durability, cost-efficiency and ecological friendliness. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) material offers exceptional resistance against sunlight exposure fading, mold growth and weather damage; but all synthetic materials do not equal in terms of resilience; for optimal results it is wise to opt for HDPE wicker over cheap PVC options which degrade quickly.