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Patio Furniture for All Seasons

Outdoor furniture is needed to make your patio relaxing, joyful, and a place to unwind from the stress of daily life. But when purchasing your outdoor furniture, be sure to know what material can best withstand the elements. Here is a list of the most common materials used for outdoor furniture.

Metal

wraught iron patio furniture Patio furniture is made from a variety of metals including, but not limited to, wrought iron and aluminum.

Wrought iron is a strong and durable metal, making it heavy to move. Because it is so heavy, if you live in a windy climate, outdoor furniture made from wrought iron could be a great option for you. However, it needs a lot of maintenance to ensure it does not rust. So living in an area that gets a lot of rain may not be the best place to have furniture made from wrought iron.

Also, because it is made from iron, if placed in direct sunlight, it heats up relatively quickly. But as long as wrought iron furniture is cared for properly, it can be left outdoors year round.

As for aluminum, it will not fade or rust, especially if it has been coated with a powder-coat finish. Compared to wrought iron, aluminum stays cooler when placed in direct sunlight and is easier to move. A down side to this metal though is that it is usually found to be more expensive. However, this metal is corrosion resistant and survives for long periods of time.

Whether the aluminum furniture is inexpensive (as there are cost-friendly options) or heavier grades, determines whether you can keep it outside.

Plastic

platic patio furniture This is the most inexpensive option. However, plastic isn’t as sturdy. It’s also lightweight and can blow away easily. It is easy to maintain, though. If you’re willing to spend a little more money, then you can get a more sturdy plastic furniture which will last a little longer. You will still want to store your plastic furniture if you’re expecting lots of wind.

Wicker

You should see this previous article about why wicker is the best for your patio furniture. Traditionally, this is a lightweight wood that is woven together and is very durable. However, it can be made from synthetic materials too. Outdoor sets are usually made from synthetics now days to increase the weather resistance and durability.

While synthetics are easier to clean off, both natural and synthetic wicker can be left out year round.

The down side is that wicker furniture can be expensive, however it’s becoming more and more affordable.

Wood

wooden patio furniture Patio furniture comes in a wide range of wood types. Some of the more popular wood types used for outdoor furniture include cedar, pine, redwood, and teak. Hardwoods tend to last longer, with wood types like teak lasting up to 50 years. Others like redwood last for up to 25 years.

If you decide to get softwood, furniture like pressure-treated pine last for multiple years outside and is treated to resist water and rot. Untreated pine should be kept indoors during bad weather as it has low resistance to rot.

An advantage to wood outdoor furniture is that is doesn’t heat up in the sun like metal furniture does.

 

 

 

So, which patio furniture is best for you? I personally have wicker both inside my house and on my patio! It is important to pick out the best outdoor furniture for your needs.

I'm Jenn Alex, a single mom , part time Business and Personal Coach, website designer, and style writer. You'll usually find me writing about fashion, working from home, or special needs kids and the parents who care for them.

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