While style is very important when buying new outdoor furniture, it’s also just as crucial to be aware of the materials that you’ll be using. There’s a wide range of style and material options available when choosing your next piece of outdoor furniture for their home, so you’re sure to find something that’ll match your intended style. For today we’ll be running through the best materials to choose for your backyards and deck areas.
Wood
Wood has always been held highly when choosing materials for outdoor furniture. With a range of different tones and colours available, wood has become a staple across homes because of its warmth and adaptability in a range of styles. But not all wood types are suitable for outdoor furniture. Pressure-treated pine, fir, cedar, and other softwoods don’t hold up when exposed to the elements and need a lot of upkeep and maintenance. The best woods to use for your outdoor settings are hardwoods; woods like maple, walnut, eucalyptus, ironwood and pine are known for their durability when placed outside and if treated properly can last your home a lifetime.
It’s important to note that different hardwoods have different needs in regard to their maintenance. Teak has become one of the more popular hardwood types, falling into a higher cost bracket. It’s a strong and beautiful wood perfect for outdoor furniture. Teak furniture has become so renowned for outdoor settings because it won’t warp, crack, or become brittle, no matter the weather. This is because it’s water repellent and doesn’t expand or contract when exposed to moisture.
Teak also has a high natural oil content decreasing its risk of decay, rot and insects. It’s a great choice for homeowners who want teak outdoor furniture that’s easy to clean and care for. Some warm soapy water is all that’s needed to keep teak looking its best.
Metal
Metal is one of the first materials that will pop into someone’s head when thinking of durable outdoor materials. It has an amazing strength that allows it to be used in a wide range of styles. Because of the advanced production techniques, we were able to use it means that it can be used in a wide range of settings and styles. For example, metal outdoor furniture can now be made without screws, bolts, and fasteners that beforehand could make them vulnerable to damage over time.
As with all outdoor furniture materials, metal does have its downsides. It can get very hot and unusable if left in the summer heat all day. Metal is also more susceptible to rust and is quite hard to move due to its heavy weight.
Aluminum tends to be the most popular pick for because it is lightweight and low maintenance. It also has the added protection of polyester powder coating, which protects it from fading and scratches. But because it’s so lightweight it’s more prone to blow away in high winds, something to keep in mind.
All-Weather Wicker
Natural wicker is made from rattan, seagrass, bamboo, willow, and other natural fibres. Wicker, while it is stylish, is much more susceptible to moisture and humidity, which is why people opt for other natural wicker fibres that can withstand humid climates.
Using all-weather wicker or synthetic polyethylene resin can also work as a similar substitute in these areas. It’s become popular in deck chairs, tables, deep seating and other furniture.
All weather-wicker is the most chosen option here. It’s proven to last even after years of exposure to the sun’s rays. It’s a great choice because of its strong and lightweight material that’s easy to clean and available in a range of colours.
Plastic
Plastic has been popping up more and more across outdoor spaces, but we’re not talking about those tacky plastic chairs you’d see at a backyard BBQ but high grade, modern furniture. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and acrylic all offer a large range of modern styles. Plastic is also very durable and has a high weather and heat tolerance, making it a perfect contender for your home.
Different types of plastics will also have different furniture styles and different levels of resistance to weather and other factors.
Hopefully the outline of these different outline materials has helped you to find the perfect furniture fibre to last a lifetime. If you’re on the lookout for indoor or outdoor furniture visit our website or in store today. We have a large range of outdoor and indoor furniture perfect for your home.
Hopefully the outline of these different outline materials has helped you to find the perfect furniture fibre to last a lifetime. If you’re on the lookout for indoor or outdoor furniture visit our website or in store today. We have a large range of outdoor and indoor furniture perfect for your home.
