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Which Outdoor Furniture Material is Best for Your Backyard
Many of the same qualities that you appreciate in interior tables, chairs, and sofas are likely to be important to you while shopping for outdoor furniture as well (and, of course, price). The main distinction is that patio sets are designed to withstand the elements. While there isn’t any patio set that can withstand the elements indefinitely, the materials utilized can make a huge difference.
Knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each material option can help you make a more informed choice. Evaluate how well the needs of your home or business, as well as your own tastes and priorities, are met by each option. Since every circumstance is different, determining the “best” material for outdoor patio furniture is reliant on how well its intrinsic attributes align with your demands.
Weather Considerations for Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture, including its frames, tabletops, and upholstery, needs to be sturdy enough to resist the elements year after year without looking shabby or weathered. Materials’ “greenness,” prices and upkeep requirements over the course of a year should all be taken into account.
Rain & Moisture
If you reside in a location that has heavy downpours or excessive humidity, you should invest in water-resistant pieces of furniture. The wetness that stays put can cause structural damage and even health problems down the line.
Sun & Temperature
Outdoor materials that can survive the sun’s UV rays and temperature swings will be your best bet if you happen to reside in a sunny region or one with pronounced seasonal climatic adjustments.
Wind
Your outdoor or garden furniture needs to be sturdy enough to withstand strong winds if you happen to reside in an exposed and windy place. It’s best to be cautious than sorry when dealing with Mother Nature, which can easily destroy a nice lightweight deck chair or dining table. If not, you’ll have to constantly put things away or lock them up while they’re not in use.
How Materials Behave Outdoor
The majority of patio furniture and Adirondack chairs are constructed to resist the weather. It’s possible that some outdoor furniture materials do better in warm, dry climes than in cold, damp ones. The following text explains in greater detail how certain substances respond to changes in environmental conditions.
1- Teak
Teak is the most popular choice of wood for outdoor patio furniture. Extremely high prices for this fine-grained hardwood are the result of its great demand and low supply. To our good fortune, teak possesses a number of qualities that make it well-suited for usage in the outdoors.
It’s much more durable than regular wood and won’t split or dry out. As it dries, the teak doesn’t swell or shrink, making it ideal for outdoor use. Its natural oil content makes it very resistant to deterioration, insects, and decomposition. Because of its resistance to weather, teak can survive as long as any other wood—up to fifty years!
Pros
- Strong, durable, and easily accessible.
- As opposed to many other outdoor materials and garden patio furniture, it does not get overly hot to the touch. It can be used with a wide variety of aesthetics.
- Many alternatives do not absorb water or attract insects, and they also resist deterioration, rot, and mold.
- You can’t go wrong with teak near the water.
Cons
- The price tag on high-quality items might be hefty.
- Keeping the parts in good condition takes some annual maintenance.
- If left unprotected on damp ground or grass, it may deteriorate more quickly than planned.
- Wooden parts may split or shatter if exposed to extreme temperatures.
Care Tips
If you don’t want the wood to deteriorate to a silvery gray color, oil or paint it and protect it once a year. Protect your wood from the sun by painting it with a product that contains ultraviolet light filters. Make sure to protect your furniture from the elements by bringing it inside or covering it outside.
2- Aluminium
These days, when it comes to patio sets, everybody wants aluminum since it holds up better to the elements. It’s lightweight, yet it’s also sturdy, long-lasting, and easy to mold into complex designs. Aluminum is durable, lightweight, and does not corrode at any temperature. Although it may withstand harsh conditions without any further protection, a polyester powder coating is advised.
This electrostatic procedure not only enhances resistance to weather and scratches but also allows for the incorporation of other hues. Powder coating provides superior adhesion to the metal and greater fade resistance than painted aluminum, but both options are commercially available. If your deck or pool area is frequently subjected to salt air, which can deteriorate paint and unprotected metal, this is a useful precaution to take. Aluminum, like other metals, can become rather hot; therefore, having insulating cushions on your seats is a good idea.
Pros
- Very low in cost, easy to transport, naturally resistant to rust, and long-lasting once coated with a finish.
- Pieces can be purchased in a variety of designs and coatings.
- Cast aluminum has exceptional longevity.
- Excellent if the wind isn’t too strong where you are.
Cons
- There are some places where hollow aluminum is not a viable solution because of the wind.
- The sun’s energy can be stored in it.
- For maximum relaxation, you might also try incorporating some cushions.
Care Tips
Regular washing with a gentle detergent like dish soap is recommended. Protect from the elements by covering or bringing them indoors for the winter.
3- Wicker
If you’re careful, wicker patio furniture may offer your outdoor space a timeless rural or beach appeal. These and comparable natural materials, such as bamboo and natural grasses, can’t stand up to the elements for very long.
Wicker furniture can be protected from the elements by sealing it with wood furniture sealer, marine varnish, tung oil, or a combination of these products before relocating it to a more exposed outdoor area in the summer. You may also use paint; marine varnish is a good finishing touch to help protect the painted surface.
The good news is that modern synthetic choices, sometimes known as “all-weather wicker,” can withstand the elements while looking just like the real thing.
Pros
- Lightweight, inexpensive, and simple to maintain.
- There is a wide selection of styles available, from classic to modern.
- It’s also possible to paint with natural materials.
- Resin imitations of wicker are a practical furnishing choice near the water.
Cons
- When exposed to the elements, the natural materials will degrade.
- Lighter parts may be blown over or shifted by strong gusts.
Care Tips
Keep the floor routinely vacuumed to remove dust and crumbs. Spray a cloth or soft brush with a solution of dishwashing liquid and wipe down surfaces. Use cold water to wash it off. Regular inspections should be performed to assess the durability of the material. A yearly reapplication of sealant is recommended if you choose to protect your furniture in this way. In the colder months, bring indoors or cover.
4- Plastic
Recycled plastic patio furniture is top-tier or near-top-tier in terms of both form and function. Strong and long-lasting, recycled plastic is an excellent material. It is unaffected by salt water or stains and is resistant to dampness, rotting, and cracking. It won’t lose its hue over time, though, because the pigment is mixed right into the base. Best of all, unlike real wood, recycled plastic just looks like it needs minimal maintenance.
In addition to being lightweight, stain-resistant, UV-resistant, maintenance-free, and mold- and mildew-resistant, this material is also resistant to the growth of these pesky fungi. It’s cheap, versatile, and simple to shape into whatever form you like. Although plastic resin can be molded to seem like wood, wicker, etc., it is not as long-lasting as metals like steel, aluminum, or iron.
Pros
- You may “furnish” your patio or yard with very inexpensive options.
- Extremely long-lasting materials and seemingly infinite design possibilities.
- There is some evidence to suggest that synthetic copies of natural materials can be nearly indistinguishable from the real product and can even withstand more wear and tear than the genuine article.
- Customization is possible with premium choices.
Cons
- The durability of plastic resin and PVC is inferior.
- Products at the lower end of the price spectrum tend to be flimsier and have shorter color retention times.
Care Tips
Most items can be cleaned with a basic soap and water solution, wiped down, and then rinsed. Put away to avoid damage from the cold winter months and to slow the fading process.
5- HDPE Lumber
The use of HDPE in garden sets is highly recommended. The majority of your background pieces are constructed out of HDPE plastic. This is because it has a longer lifespan than materials like acrylic or polycarbonate yet is more comfortable to hold. This means that even if the board chips or splits, it won’t have dangerously hard or sharp edges. HDPE does not have the same impact resistance as polycarbonate. However, its sturdy construction can hold a lot of weight and lasts longer than many other plastics.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is versatile and simple to work with since it can be fabricated into plastic sheets or boards and subsequently shaped using conventional woodworking tools. You can use regular screws to join HDPE boards and sheets together. Because of this, building HDPE plastic patio sets is a breeze. The same high resistance to acids, alcohols, and bases as polycarbonate applies here. In addition to being a popular choice for public areas because of its resistance to graffiti, HDPE outdoor furniture is also exceedingly durable.
Pros
- The ultraviolet (UV) light is blocked by the UV-inhibiting compounds included in HDPE plastic. That’s why you can rest assured that your poly lumber furniture won’t fade in the sun.
- It won’t melt like cheap plastic patio furniture or rust like steel.
- The poly lumber furniture would last for a long time, even in the harsh climate. Because it is constructed from a material that is resistant to water and the elements, it is a great option for use in outdoor settings.
Cons
- Poly timber furniture is not easily produced due to its eco-friendly nature (it is made from recycled plastic).
- Before plastic can be used to create furniture, it must go through a number of processes. Therefore, it’s not cheap by any means.
- Customers may be tempted by the furniture’s portability to move it from the deck to the grass or the lawn to the yard, despite its heavy weight.
Care Tips
HDPE furniture does not require much upkeep, in contrast to wooden or aluminum pieces, which need regular polishing and painting. The dust that has settled on the furniture can be easily removed with a moist cloth and a fast wipe.
Choose Your Outdoor Patio Furniture at Torva
Torva understands that its customers have varying preferences; thus, we have a wide selection of outdoor furniture sets to meet those demands. Have faith in us, and we won’t let you down. Our outdoor furniture is built to last and comes with a solid guarantee to meet all of your requirements.
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