Patio furniture material guide

Outside furniture needs to have outstanding elements that also resist harsh weather and climate. There are a number of materials used to make patio furniture, from aluminum to wrought iron, and the choice depends on your needs. Here's the material guide to read if you are interested in buying patio furniture in Calgary such as poolside chaise lounges to picnic tables perfect for summer barbeques.

 1. Aluminum: brings the benefit of being light in weight, high durability and resistance to rust and fading. Patio furniture made of aluminum has a low maintenance (and easy cleaning because you only wash with soapy water and rinse) and is associated with low costs. Since material made of aluminum can become hot if it sits in the sun for a long period of time, you can consider powder coated aluminum furniture. In this case, a layer of polyester or epoxy powder is layered on the surface to form a protective layer. Powder coated furniture comes in many colors. You can also use car wax or mineral oil to protect the surface.

2.  Plastic, polymer and resin: Like the aluminum type, it is associated with low weight, low maintenance, low costs and better stackability. With this furniture, you do not need to do painting or sealing and you can tailor them to resemble wicker, wood, and more.

Most of plastic patio furniture Calgary is made of high-density polyethylene recycled plastic, which is derived from old milk cartons, shampoo bottles and other products. More durable plastic chairs are made of plastic and resin that can resist damage by moisture, stains, mildew, and insects. It is also resistant to peeling, cracking or fading. However, there is low quality plastic used to make patio furniture and check whether UV-stabilized pigments have been used to reduce possibility of fading, before buying the items. 

3. Steel: Unlike the aluminum and plastic furniture, this type of furniture is sturdy and durable. However, it turns out to be heavier than aluminum, but lighter than wrought iron. Like aluminum, it becomes hot to touch though cushions made of fade-resistant all-weather fabric can deal with that.

4. Wood, wicker/rattan, wrought iron: Wrought iron furniture is heavy and prone to rust if a rust protector is not applied, wood can be quite expensive – especially hardwood, while Wicker and rattan come with a slight coastal, rustic, or country vibe, and are flexible.