When purchasing outdoor furniture, you probably seek out similar qualities as when shopping for interior items, such as comfort and style.
Yet, there’s a single factor that ends up being far more essential for outdoor garden furniture than it is for your home’s interior – and which is durability. In addition to facing all the challenges of daily use, like children, pets, accidental spills, and a lot more, your outdoor furniture also must contend with climatic elements.
Although you can drape your furniture or maintain it, there are a few more factors you should consider – including mould, decay, rust, and discoloration.
The truth is that not all materials are the same. Some are more effective at dealing with these climatic and environmental conditions than others. With that in mind, let’s explore the best materials for your outdoor furniture.
Important factors to consider when choosing outdoor materials
When deciding on furniture materials to use outdoors, there are multiple factors to keep in mind to make sure that you choose the most suitable option for your needs. Here are a few of the most essential factors to take into account when choosing outdoor materials:
Durability
Outdoor furniture has to be capable of standing up to various weather elements, such as sun, rain, snow, and wind. Opt for materials that are long-lasting and impervious to the effects of rust, wear, and discolouration.
Also, think of the extent to which you’ll utilise these pieces of furniture. If you regularly play host to guests and relax outdoors, selecting more long-lasting materials such as wood will be a better choice instead of plastic.
Sun exposure
Outdoor materials must be able to cope with long-term exposure to direct sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are capable of causing certain materials to lose colour, become brittle, or even break down.
Besides fading, sun exposure may result in an old and unappealing.
Wind and storms
Outdoor materials should be capable of standing up to wind and storms without getting damaged or tossed off. Materials that are too lightweight or not secured correctly are susceptible to being damaged or detached during a storm.
Comfort
Outdoor furniture has to be cosy as well as functional. Look at materials that offer a pleasant seating surface, like pillows or padded seats, and that have been built to withstand a load of people utilising them.
3 Longest-lasting outdoor furniture materials
Aluminium
Aluminium is, to a large extent, the most common modern outdoor furniture material. It withstands corrosion and moisture harm far better than other metallic materials, and a powder-coated finish provides further protection against the elements. Aluminium is extremely durable yet comparatively light, which makes it easy to move and store. Wrought and cast aluminium are sufficiently weighed to stand up to wind and weather conditions yet are still easy to move around and store.
Benefits:
- The lightweight design makes it simple to move.
- Withstands corrosion and moisture harm more effectively than other metals
- Requires minimal maintenance and is simple to clean
PVC composite
In terms of aesthetic appeal and efficiency, PVC composite outdoor furniture sits close to or at the top. PVC composite is incredibly strong and highly resilient. It’s very impervious to moisture, decaying, and splitting and is resistant to seawater and staining. It also is resistant to fading since its colour is built-in to the material. Lastly, PVC composite materials are designed to look like wood without high maintenance.
PVC composite materials are available in numerous types, from exterior wall coverings to outdoor flooring items.
Benefits:
- It needs little to no upkeep and is easy to tidy up.
- Naturally resistant to discolouration and moisture – will not cause mildew, decay, or corrosion.
- Eco-friendly – several kinds are manufactured from plastic milk bottles and similar items. Withstands: Rain, humidity, wind, and extreme temperatures
While initially costlier than actual wood, over the course of its life, composite wood turns out to be considerably less expensive if you factor in regular wood upkeep.
Teak
Teak has traditionally been a top choice for outdoor furniture. It’s durable, it can withstand various kinds of weather, and it’s perfectly versatile when it comes to aesthetics.
Benefits:
- Sturdy, durable and easy to find.
- It does not retain heat like a number of outdoor options. It can fit into any layout and style.
- By weatherproofing it, you can elongate its span.
We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Garden4Less and Composite Warehouse. For more inspiration for your home, please pay a visit to our interiors page.
