Aluminum, Iron & Steel - Oh, my! Metal Outdoor Furniture Explained
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!
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@...
