For sure, outdoor furniture brings comfort and function to your decks and patios besides adding to the beauty of your outdoor place. However, it also has to endure the extreme weather outside and the tendency of resilience depends upon the quality and type of materials used in the construction of outdoor furniture.
Hence, choosing the best material for outdoor furniture is also an important factor to consider besides design, style, and comfort. But for that to happen, you’ll need to compare all the material options available for outdoor furniture in terms of durability, design, price, comfort, and overall appearance. Therefore, to help you select the best material, we at Carpenter Centre have got you this precisely informative piece of writing.
Things To Consider When Purchasing Furniture For Outdoors
We’ve listed below the important features present in an ideal outdoor furniture material and have also described all the materials in our list based on these features.
- Functionality
- Aesthetics
- Material Quality
- Weather Conditions
Choosing The Best Outdoor Furniture Material
Choosing the ideal material for your outdoor furniture can be made easy just by letting you know all the material choices and helping you compare between them.
Nowadays, outdoor furniture is available in a wide variety of material types such as stainless steel, plastic, wrought iron, aluminum, synthetic resin, teak, and many more. Here, we’ve described all types of materials with their pros and cons to help you make the right choice.
1. Synthetic Resin
It is a stylish, lightweight, highly durable, and low-maintenance material and is one of the best material choices for outdoor furniture. However, when choosing this material, one should always give preference to high-density polyethylene instead of cheap PVC wickers because the latter will become brittle and crack when exposed to extreme weather.
Also, mostly synthetic resin is used in combination with aluminum frames so as to increase the overall strength and endurance of the outdoor furniture product.
2. Composite Wood
Poly-Wood is a plastic-wood composite made from a combination of wood and several different synthetic materials like polythene, polypropylene, etc. The heated thermoplastic makes this material water-resistant up to the best extent, besides making it able to withstand extreme weather, as well. Also, it is not prone to damage by termites and wasps and develops no splintering either.
When used for outdoor furniture, it comes with several additive layers such as UV stabilizers, colorants, couples, and lubricants, thus increasing the material’s aesthetics properties and longevity. In the past, it used to appear more artificial and plastic-like but now, it can easily mimic the appearance of real wood, thanks to the advancement of modern technology.
3. Teak Wood
Speaking of teak, this hardwood material is highly durable, extremely resilient, and provides maximum performance. It can be the best option for outdoor furniture because it has the strength to endure extreme weather. Besides, the grain-like, beautiful finish enables it to uplift the beauty of your place. Adding to that, this type of wood can produce its own oils, thus making it distinct from all other naturally occurring woods.
However, you’ll have to keep regular upkeep for it to make your furniture shine, or else the wood surface will absorb moisture, thus leading to mold and mildew growth which is a major drawback of this outdoor material option.
4. Cast Aluminum
It is the most lightweight yet highly durable material for outdoor furniture and is a lot stronger than you can possibly think of, hence eliminating its chances of getting damaged. The best quality cast aluminum furniture for your outdoors can sustain for a longer period, thus helping you secure your valuable investment.
However, if you’re living in an area where heavy wind storms are common, then you should avoid choosing this option as your outdoor furniture material because the furniture will blow away under such circumstances.
5. Wrought Iron
If you’re looking for hand-crafted designs, then this worked-by-hand outdoor furniture material can be the best option for you. Because wrought iron differs from cast iron (made using molds) and is unique in terms of design and style, thus fulfilling your requirements. And, the furniture crafted using this material option will not blow away because it is heavier than cast aluminum.
However, besides adding to the benefits, this heaviness of wrought iron is also a major disadvantage. Also, it is a bit more expensive than other listed material options and if you’re on a tight budget, then this material option won’t suit you much.
6. Steel
Steel is actually carbon mixed iron material and is the strongest of all the options listed above. However, it is heavy and should not be chosen for furniture such as chairs, sofas, etc that have to be moved often. Also, if not coated properly, it can rust which robs the outdoor furniture of its aesthetics. Hence, it is not a great choice for outdoor furniture material.
Materials To Avoid For Outdoor Furniture
Well, we’ve told you about the material options that can be used for outdoor furniture, however, there are some materials that you should avoid for outdoor furniture and we’ve briefly explained them below.
1. Plastic Resin
Although it’s cheap, the plastic resin should be strongly avoided because outdoor furniture crafted using this material won’t sustain for a longer term. Because it is fragile and unattractive.
2. PVC Wicker
In appearance, it looks like high-density polyethylene wicker but doesn’t contain any of the features of HDPE and will last only for some time. Hence, if you buy outdoor furniture made from PVC wicker, then you’ll see your hard-earned money going down the drain because that furniture won’t last long.
The Verdict!
Obviously, the final decision is up to your personal preferences but should always be made considering the outdoor space requirements. According to the above-mentioned options, if you want a lightweight, classy, and low-maintenance material for your outdoor furniture, then you need to go for synthetic resin. And if you want wooden outdoor furniture, then grained finish teak is the perfect option for you because of its high durability, extreme resilience, and long-lasting properties. Similarly, you can relate other requirements of yours, as well!
