Pros and Cons of Various Outdoor Furniture Materials

When it comes to selecting outdoor furniture, the most common considerations homeowners will have is functionality as well as the aesthetics of the furntire pieces they choose. It should be noted though that your choice of materials would also play a role in the longevity as well as maintenance of the outdoor furniture. The following are some of the pros and cons associated with popular materials used for outdoor furniture.

Natural materials for outdoor furniture

Natural outdoor furniture is typically manufactured from either wood or wicker. When selecting outdoor furniture made from wood, choose a species that would be most adaptable to your local climate. For instance, cedar a great option for homeowners that live in primarily wet conditions. This is because it innately has a high resistance to rot as well as pest infestations. However, this also makes it an expensive option due to its durability.

Pine would be an economical option if you were shopping for wood furniture on a budget. However, it is highly susceptible to water damage and would have to be pressure treated beforehand if you would like it to serve you for a significant period of time. If you opt for natural wicker furniture, ensure that it is sheltered from rain as well as direct exposure to sunlight. The wicker reeds are attractive but excessive exposure to the sunrays would dry them out, making them brittle and susceptible to damage.

Metallic materials for outdoor furniture

One of the more popular options for metallic outdoor furniture is wrought iron. This is because it is hard wearing and does not need excessive maintenance measures to remain in pristine condition. However, this type of furniture is quite heavy and would be difficult to relocate from one area to the next. Moreover, wrought iron is one of the more pricey options due to its longevity and durability. If you are looking for budget friendly metallic outdoor furniture options, you could consider aluminium.

This material is lightweight and thus you would be able to move your furniture around easily. In addition to this, aluminium in naturally rust resistant so you would not have to worry about your furniture corroding when exposed to wet weather. It should be noted that the lustre of aluminium tends to fade over time. To keep your furniture looking attractive, you may want to powder coat the aluminium beforehand. Not only does this give you chance to add a pop of colour to your outdoor furniture, but powder coating will not chip and crack like conventional paint would. 

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