Whether you want to relax on your own in the morning, host a delicious backyard barbeque, or enjoy a glimmering starry evening, the outdoor is a special place. Your outdoor furniture can have a great impact on the whole experience. With so many options to choose from, you may find yourself at loss. You’re probably looking for patio furniture that balances durability, price, ease of care, comfort, and style. So before you decide, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of the various outdoor material options, whether it’s wood, plastic, or metal, in order to choose the best material that matches your needs and personal preference.
Wood
Distinguished for its authentic and natural beauty, wood is a classic choice for an outdoor furniture material. It lends a warm casual feel to any outdoor pace. In addition to being easy to work with, wood provides a sturdy framework your outdoor furnishing. You can find versatile choices and styles ranging from traditional wood benches to contemporary wood pieces. It easily adapts to any design style.
However, not all woods are created equal, good quality pieces can be expensive. Try to choose furnishing options that are resistant to mold, decay and repel water and insects.
Metal
Metal is one of the most durable and versatile materials used for the outdoor furniture. Metal is great at maintaining shape in both hot and cool weather. It can be formed to fit any style and aesthetic. Also, it can be easily combined with fabric cushions and backrests to add comfort. There are different types of metal furniture; the most famous ones are wrought iron, aluminum, and steel.
Wrought iron is remarkably solid and strong. Because of its relatively heavy weight, wrought iron is resistant to wind. It can add a sense of intricate beauty to your space.
Aluminum is one of the most popular choices for outdoor furniture because it’s rust resistant, lightweight, and highly versatile. It comes at affordable prices and requires little maintenance.
Steel is highly durable and sturdy. It bridges the gap between aluminum and wrought iron as it is less prone to damage than lightweight aluminum pieces but not as massive as wrought iron. In addition to being resistant to rust and corrosion, steel adds a sleek modern style to your outdoor spaces.
However, some metal furniture can get heated in the sun and cold in winter. Some types of metals require high maintenance as they are easily prune to rusting without the proper care. Also, moisture can also cause some metals to corrode. You have to look for metal furniture pieces with anti-rust features, so it stays beautiful over the years.
Plastic
Plastic furniture is inexpensive, lightweight, and low maintenance. It comes in various colors, shapes, and textures. Plastic and resin furniture can be manufactured to resemble wicker furniture, so they are becoming a popular replacement for the wicker, rattan, and bamboo. In addition to being very handy and easily stored, plastic furniture is resistant to moisture, stains, mildew, and insects.
However plastic furniture wouldn’t provide you with elegance and aesthetically pleasing look of wood or metal. Its lightweight comes with significant drawback with regards to stability. With some heavy wind or rain, you may find your furniture scattered all around your outdoor space. Also, plastic furniture can’t withstand heavy force; it can break or crack easily when pressure applied so it wouldn’t give you the durability and long-lasting factors of wood and metal. Thus, on the long run you may find it not as affordable as you first thought because you will end up spending more money buying new furniture within short durations.
The right outdoor furniture can totally transform your space into a comfortable and inviting oasis. Check out our outdoor collection and start creating your dream outdoor space!