The modern outdoor furniture industry has come a long way. Gone are the days of steel garden bistro sets and aluminum chairs that start rusting after one summer rainstorm. Now you can find outdoor dining, bar, pool, and lounging furniture must-haves that bring all the style and comfort you’ve come to expect from your outdoor furniture into the outdoor realm, and there are so many materials, styles, and colors to choose from. Picking the right furniture for your outdoor needs can be a daunting task, which is why we’ve developed a buying guide to take the mystery out of the shopping process.
Outdoor Furniture Materials
When shopping for your outdoor space, there are more factors to consider than how the pieces look and feel. Here more than anywhere, you need to choose furniture that will stand up to the inclement weather and elements specific to the climate where you live. After all, what good is a great patio set if it starts to peel and splinter after its first season on your deck? Shopping at TopModern is a great first step toward choosing the right materials, because we only carry furniture of the highest quality that is engineered to exacting standards with the outdoor elements in mind. Next you’ll want to consider your lifestyle, preferences, and climate to find the right outdoor materials for you.
Fabrics and Cushions
When shopping for outdoor furniture, many people enjoy the comfort and aesthetic value that cushions bring to the space. Just keep in mind that what looks gorgeous in your living room won’t necessarily perform well on your back patio. You want to look for cushions that are filled with quick dry materials that won’t lock in moisture or be susceptible to damage from outdoor pests. Compressed polyester and polyester fiberfill are two great low-cost options that won’t grow mildew in an outdoor environment. Polyurethane foam is a suitable option in climates with moderate to low precipitation and offers medium firmness. Cell foam cushions are a favorite fast-drying option. When it comes to upholstery fabrics look for performance weave options that are covered with Sunbrella, Olefin, or vinyl. Cotton canvas and duck cloth are two more durable, heavy duty outdoor favorites.
Aluminum
Aluminum is an extremely popular modern material because it is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and a more practical alternative to traditional patio materials like steel or cast iron. There are two types of aluminum: cast and tubular or hollow aluminum. The difference is that cast aluminum is solid throughout, while tubular aluminum is hollow in the middle, making it much more lightweight. Cast aluminum is much more labor intensive to produce and unsurprisingly much more expensive, but it can also last longer and be more sturdy. Since this material is lightweight, it’s a great option for anyone who likes the option of rearranging their patio furniture with ease or bringing it into storage during the winter months. You might have heard that aluminum has a reputation for peeling and chipping, but modern furniture manufacturers have found a solution for this common problem. Modern aluminum furniture is treated with a powder coating that helps to create a layer between the metal and external elements to extend the life of the furniture and help it resist corrosion.
Wrought Iron
The words outdoor furniture probably conjure up images of traditional dining sets crafted from wrought iron. This was the go-to outdoor material for decades before more practical metal alloys like aluminum were developed. Traditional wrought iron is made from carbon iron with slag inclusions, and only a few contemporary furniture producers continue to make collections from this material because it is extremely susceptible to corrosion, peeling, and chipping. Similar to aluminum, this problem has been largely alleviated with the use of protective powder coatings, and today most wrought iron sets are actually made from a more modern alloy that mimics the classic look and feel of the traditional material. You will enjoy furniture engineered from wrought iron materials if you need something extremely durable and strong, just be sure to purchase durable patio covers to protect your purchases from damage when they are not in use.
Steel
Relatively low maintenance, yet durable and sturdy, steel and galvanized furniture strikes a balance somewhere between wrought iron and aluminum. It’s lightweight, but not as lightweight as aluminum, and still brings the classic metal aesthetic to your backyard. This material is known as a strong conductor of heat, which may be a concern if you have pets or little ones who might hurt themselves by touching furniture that has been sitting under a hot sun all day. Steel furniture is popular to style with deep seated cushions, and you’ll typically see furniture sets that include steel frames and cushions in a range of customizable colors. Be sure to look for furniture that is resistant to rust and corrosion, and apply a protective finish to help extend the life of your steel furniture.
Wicker and Rattan
Wicker and rattan are both natural fibrous materials that are formed into thin strips and woven to create furniture pieces with a tropical leaning. A drawback of natural wicker is its biodegradable makeup, but brands have gotten around that by creating synthetic wicker from dyed resin that brings all the texture and panache of its natural counterpart with a much longer shelf life. Rattan is naturally durable and flexible, making it a natural fiber that can be used in many different types of outdoor environments. Wicker, rattan, and other synthetic woven materials are generally wrapped around a sturdy frame engineered from metal to bring added strength and durability to these pieces. You’ll find wicker and rattan products in a wide range of natural tones and hues, and synthetic wicker can be dyed any color from jet black to seafoam green.
Recycled Plastic (MGP)
Marine grade polymer otherwise known as recycled plastic furniture is a relative newcomer to the furniture industry that is especially popular with commercial buyers or anyone who lives in an extremely temperate climate. Recycled plastic is the most durable, wear-resistant, and long lasting outdoor material you will find. It is engineered using advanced methods that transform old plastics into durable lumber that’s practically indestructible. Marine grade polymer can be dyed any color and crafted into any shape, so the design possibilities are endless. An advantage to polyethylene is that it can be produced to mimic the look and feel of popular outdoor materials, from natural wood to rattan, but without the maintenance. Some people may not enjoy the synthetic look of recycled plastic furniture, and if durability isn’t a priority, may prefer a naturally occurring material.
Wood
Outdoor furniture can be made from any of the hardwoods, like oak or teak, that are popular in indoor designs. But since some woods are much more durable or susceptible to rot than others, you’ll want to steer clear of certain types of wood if you live in a place where it rains or snows a lot. Teak is the most popular outdoor wood because it is naturally rot resistant and actually repels insects. People prize teak for the stunning silver patina it acquires through years of continuous outdoor use. Cedar, oak, and eucalyptus are also popular outdoor furniture making materials, and are best suited for use in places like Southern California, where they won’t have to endure much damage from inclement weather.
