| Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of | | | | coat dry well before applying the next. If you're using a |
| the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or | | | | spray paint, apply with short light stokes. |
| that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your | | | | Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked |
| neighbour's lawn. | | | | metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early |
| But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. | | | | aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from |
| Here's a quick primer on the available types and their | | | | hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was |
| care. | | | | extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable. |
| Construction Methods | | | | Such pieces are still available today and are best used |
| Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main | | | | around a pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in |
| ways: extrusion, casting, and welding. | | | | outdoor dining or sitting areas. |
| Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and | | | | Whether you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought |
| forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but | | | | aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a |
| often hollow. | | | | quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be |
| Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the | | | | welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather |
| finished product. The molten metal is poured into the | | | | than bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect |
| form and then the form is removed when the metal | | | | webbing, they should be made of aluminum or stainless |
| has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid. | | | | steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the |
| Forging, a process in which metal is heated and | | | | main frame does not. |
| hammered into shape produces the type of furniture | | | | Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated |
| known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various | | | | finish, which determines the final color of the piece and |
| solid pieces of the metal and joins them together by | | | | the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process |
| welding or bolting. | | | | in which colorful polyester powders are applied and |
| Common Materials | | | | then baked onto the frame. |
| The most common metal outdoor furniture is made | | | | If you're buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or |
| from iron or aluminium, although the use of steel, | | | | straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with |
| especially stainless steel, is growing. | | | | mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden |
| Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable | | | | pieces mounted on aluminum frames should be treated |
| and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark | | | | with a finish to guarantee durability. |
| green, can be found at premium prices and must be | | | | Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt |
| carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern | | | | spray can all eat away at the powder coating on |
| reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant | | | | aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your |
| finish or coating that protects against chipping, | | | | aluminum furniture twice a month with a solution of mild |
| scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of | | | | dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can |
| finishes available such as primer and paint, powder | | | | then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames. |
| coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range | | | | Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various |
| of colors and styles. | | | | small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys |
| Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy | | | | produce hardness and resistance to rusting. |
| spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don't | | | | Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; stainless |
| expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, | | | | steel has been alloyed with chromium and is virtually |
| iron furnishings can last for 100 years. | | | | immune to rust and corrosion. |
| Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought | | | | Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid |
| iron, rather than cast iron. When you're buying wrought | | | | 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from |
| iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than | | | | popular French-made items manufactured in the later |
| hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, | | | | half of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel |
| together. Generally, the better furniture is North | | | | until the Second World War when the heavy military |
| American made. | | | | demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular |
| Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other | | | | (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets |
| types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm | | | | can still be found at flea markets. |
| soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the | | | | If you're looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the |
| smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to | | | | product is either stainless or powder-coated and that |
| textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once | | | | any hardware used is also rust-resistant. |
| per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust | | | | Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs |
| by lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then | | | | can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living |
| apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each | | | | space. Choose wisely and enjoy! |