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