Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-04-21 Origin: Site
Furniture is one of the most valuable parts of your home or business, enough so that home insurers list it as the biggest percentage of a home’s insured items. If you buy furniture with cheap materials to save up-front, you’re going to have to repair it or replace it when it breaks down. You might pay a pretty penny for certain “upscale” furniture, but if it’s not made from durable materials, you’ll have to pay for repair and replacement, too.
You’ll save money, time and energy with furniture maintenance and repair by choosing durable outdoor furniture on your first purchase. You could even help save the environment if your furniture is also earth-friendly! So, what is the best material for outdoor furniture? What outdoor furniture lasts the longest? Let’s compare some popular types of outdoor furniture so you know what to expect when it comes to durability.
Metal and aluminum are popular furniture choices because the materials are strong and heavy. Though, depending on the construction of aluminum furniture, it could still be light enough to blow over in a heavy storm. Metal and aluminum can also be shaped into intricate designs, which is harder to do with some types of furniture material, like wood.
There are some major drawbacks to metal and aluminum furniture. One is that they heat up under the sun, which can burn those who touch the furniture. They also retain cold, which can make them chilly to sit on in winter weather.
Another issue, related to durability, is that metal furniture easily rusts and corrodes, especially due to moisture from ocean salt water and rain. Even expensive and strong wrought iron will need to be maintained to prevent rusting. Aluminum furniture that’s been painted can easily chip.
Cleaning this type of furniture is intensive and can result in damage if not done properly. Abrasive cleaners can scratch metal furniture and make it susceptible to moisture. You’ll also have to apply touch-up paint to scratches to prevent rust. Aluminum furniture may fall prey to oxidation, which will need to be cleaned to prevent further damage.
Metal furniture can stay intact for a long time (up to a century or more) depending on its design, but it will require frequent cleaning with the right tools to stay damage-free. Keep in mind that because metal and aluminum furniture typically requires cushions in order to be comfortable, you’ll have to clean those materials, too, to prevent mold, dirt and mildew.
Wood and teak wood are materials that are sourced from the outdoors, so they’re also a popular choice for natural-looking outdoor furniture. Unfortunately, these natural materials are prone to the same pitfalls that trees are. That includes insect and termite burrowing, rotting, chipping and peeling.
Teak wood is one of the strongest kinds of wood you can have in furniture. Unfortunately, it’s also much more expensive compared to other types of wood furniture because of its high demand and limited availability. Even teak wood, just like other types of wood furniture, will fade over time.
To maintain wood furniture, you’ll have to regularly stain it with oil or protector. You’ll have to apply sealant at least every few years, more frequently if your wood furniture lives in more extreme weather. Wood furniture may show signs of fading and cracking in 10 years or less.
