Thinking of decorating or styling your patio or outdoor area? Why not spice it up with some pieces of furniture? In this way, you can add another space for you and your family to chill out and lounge. Some people might think this is a bad idea simply because of the unfriendly nature of the outdoors. The sun, winds, and rain will always be concerning, especially if you’re leaving something outside and furniture is no exception. What sturdy materials should we look for in terms of patio furniture then?
Plastic
Yes, i agree, plastic as furniture doesn’t sound sturdy at all but don’t jump to conclusions just yet. More sturdy plastic furniture is available as weather resistant and durable. However, you should store plastic inside once in a while to prevent pitting and fading. Higher end pieces tend to last longer without showing wear and tear though. Another benefit is that it is the least expensive material and it is highly portable.
Aluminum
Furniture made from aluminum is lightweight, easy to store, and easy to rearrange too. In addition, it requires minimal care and can withstand rain, rust, and moisture damage better than lots of other materials. Aluminum will not fade or rust, especially if it has been coated with a powder-coat finish. Unfortunately, this material is more expensive and high-end sets can hurt your pocket.
Wood
Popular wood types include teak, pine, cedar, eucalyptus, and redwood. Hardwoods tend to be more durable and long-lasting. For example, teak, jarrah, and shorea can last up to 50 years while redwood and roble cab last up to 25 years. Cedar and pressure treated pine, although not as durable as hardwoods, can last for years outdoors too.
Wicker
Wicker is a kind of furniture woven from any one of a variety of cane-like materials, including rattan, willow, reed, and bamboo. It’s technically wood, but woven. Wicker, when used as furniture, can either be natural or synthetic but the latter is used in an outdoor setting or as patio furniture more often.
Wrought Iron
This type of material is strong and durable. It is also very heavy and will not tip over or blow away easily, making it a great choice for windy environments. Some disadvantages of iron furniture include its heat conduction property. It tends to heat up and burn when left in direct sunlight and it can also be very cold on cooler days.
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