Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

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 by: Debbie Rodgers

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of
the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton
cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour's lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here's a quick primer on the available types and their care.

Construction Methods

Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the
finished product. The molten metal is poured into the form and then the
form is removed when the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost
always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and
hammered into shape produces the type of furniture known as "wrought"
metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal and joins
them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials

The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron
or aluminium, although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, is
growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable
and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can
be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent
further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a
rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping,
scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available
such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are
available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for
windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don't expect it
to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can
last for 100 years.

Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought
iron, rather than cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for
pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are
welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture
is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other
types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and
then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply mineral or
baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per
year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sanding the
spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal
paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you're
using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked
metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture
from the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such
furniture was extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable.
Such pieces are still available today and are best used around a pool
area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.

Whether you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought
aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As
with wrought iron, joints should be welded (preferably
full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are used, for
example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or
stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main
frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated
finish, which determines the final color of the piece and the
durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful
polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.

If you're buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing
or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew
inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on
aluminum frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee
durability.

Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt
spray can all eat away at the powder coating on aluminum furniture. To
ensure long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a month with a
solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can
then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.

Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and
various small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys produce
hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated
with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium and is
virtually immune to rust and corrosion.

Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid
20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular
French-made items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. American
companies used solid steel until the Second World War when the heavy
military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular
(hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be
found at flea markets.

If you're looking at modern steel furniture, be sure
the product is either stainless or powder-coated and that any hardware
used is also rust-resistant.

Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs
can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely
and enjoy!

About the Author

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com

paradiseporch@lincsat.com

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