5 Types of Materials for Outdoor Furniture

Your outdoor furniture is the centrepiece of your outdoor living space, offering you the perfect space for gatherings, relaxation, and conversations. It is also a pricey investment which is why you need to make sure that your outdoor table and sofa set can withstand harsh weather conditions like pounding rain, beating sun, or howling wind. Read on to learn the different types of materials used for outdoor furniture and which one will best suit your home:

1. Teak

If you love wooden outdoor furniture, your best option is teak wood. This superior furniture can handle all types of weather, even the harshest ones. Combine this with an unparalleled aesthetic of its warm, beautiful tone, and you have the perfect outdoor furniture. Teak also has high natural resin and oil content, making it impervious to water and more resistant to insect attacks. The oil protects the wood from rotting, making teak strong as well as a long-lasting option for outdoor furniture. The natural colour of teak is golden-honey brown, and if it’s not treated regularly, it will age naturally into a patina grey.

1. Plastics and Synthetic Resin

Synthetic resin is lightweight, low-maintenance, and durable, making it suitable for all types of weather. You can opt for traditional synthetic resin furniture that is woven in a wicker style. However, you should not confuse this with the natural wicker rattan that fades with sun exposure and should be placed indoors. Furniture made of synthetic resin can withstand the conditions of the outdoors. The most common materials used for making synthetic resin wicker include PVC, nylon, and polyethylene. Also, make sure that you get the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) wicker, a high-grade thermoplastic offering higher durability, heat endurance, and strength than PVC.

1. Aluminium

Aluminium is an extremely versatile metal that can be cast into any design or shape. Also, its durability and lightweight nature make it the perfect option for outdoor furniture. Aluminium outdoor furniture is incredibly low maintenance as it does not rust like steel and iron when exposed to salty or moist outdoor air. Also, when exposed to the sun, it doesn’t crack or dry out like most wooden furniture. The only thing that is not ideal for outdoor furniture made of aluminium is that they are prone to high winds.

1. Steel

Steel is a very strong material, but it is also more expensive and heavier than other metals. Because of its weight, moving steel outdoor furniture won’t be easy, but it will remain stationary against strong winds. Stainless or galvanized steel works best for outdoor furniture. This is because when regular steel is exposed to outside elements, it can corrode and rust easily, but the galvanization process adds a coating of zinc to the steel to withstand water exposure (not from saltwater) and is protected from corrosion. In stainless steel, chromium is added to molten steel, which makes it resistant to rust and even saltwater.

1. Fabric

One of the most comfortable outdoor furniture options is upholstered. With it, you can get the ultimate lounging experience along with a look that you can easily envision indoors. They are made of water-resistant synthetic fibres like acrylic, vinyl, polyester, etc. The weaves are resistant to moisture, sun fade, and other types of damage and are breathable. However, you can’t leave them unprotected during the winter season.

As you must have learned above, there is no best material for your outdoor table and sofa set. But there is one that is best for your sense of style and outdoor space.