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Furniture for the Outdoors

1. Aluminum patio furniture is available either wrought or cast in molds, often come with tough baked on enamel finishes.  They are rust-proof, light weight, and more expensive than iron.  Look for thick, heavy gauge alloys and smooth seams on welded joints.  Less expensive versions have hollow, tubular frames.
2. Cast-iron or wrought-iron furniture is heavy and durable and appropriate for using in windy climates where its weight makes it less likely to blow around by heavy gusts of wind.  Iron furniture is prone to rust and requires periodic touch-ups and repainting.
3. Plastic and resin furniture is inexpensive, light weight, and comes in variety of styles and colors.  Look for top-grade plastic furniture; they have a 10 year warranty.  Some plastic furniture that is made from recycled materials can be heavy and look like wood but will not rot or need to be painted.
4. Synthetic wicker furniture is typically made from polyester resins and rustproofs aluminum framing and are made to be placed outdoors and exposed to the elements without damage.
5. Twig furniture is usually made from green willow branches that are bent into sweeping curves to form the arms, legs, and backs of the pieces.  Direct sun exposure causes the twig to shrink which tends to loosen the fasteners.  Keep twig furniture sheltered to prolong its life.  Twig furniture is often produced locally; has a carefree rustic appeal; available at area crafts shops, farmer’s market, and roadside stands.
6. Wicker furniture evokes exotic and gracious outdoor living style.  Natural wicker may be left unfinished or sealed with marine varnish, stained with accent colors of black and green, or painted white.  Wicker furniture should be used under a sheltering roof and brought indoors for storage before cold weather sets in.
7. Solid wood furniture made of teak, redwood, and cypress is weather and rots resistance, insect resistance, and does not require paints, stains, or protective coatings; they age into a patina of a silvery gray within a year.  Look for woods that were harvested on tree farms that raised the woods through well-managed forestry practices of replanting systematically.  Solid wood furniture made from average-quality, furniture grade woods such as pine, fir, and oak need to be maintained yearly with fresh coat of paint, stain, or sealer to keep fresh water from damaging them.  Oil-base paints are more durable than latex paints.  Gloss finishes are tougher than semi-gloss or flat finishes.