Patio 411: Part 1 - Frame Materials

How do you know what patio furniture is best for your home? Quite frankly, the options are endless and can be overwhelming. Metal or Wicker? Teak or Faux-wood? Cushion or sling? What is a sling anyways? Do I have to haul my patio furniture inside every day? That’s a lot to think about.

Besides going for a certain “look” there’s a great deal that goes into outdoor furniture. Construction, frame material, cushions, and fabrics all make a difference. Here you’ll find some basic knowledge about patio furniture to help you navigate through the choices.

Frame Materials

• All Weather Wicker
  • A very classic look often seen under covered or three season porches, but don’t be fooled, all weather wicker can be used uncovered outside in the sun and rain.
  • Most outdoor wicker is made from vinyl. Vinyl does come in varying grades of quality. The best vinyl wicker will have an aluminum frame base and use a UV inhibiter, which acts like sunscreen for furniture, to make it more durable and last longer in the outdoor elements. Vinyl wicker is considered low maintenance.

• A few manufacturers use natural materials, such as Lloyd Flanders, but have transformed it into an “outdoor-able” product. Typically made from paper saturated with water resistant glue (think of the inside of a Dixie cup) and then twisted into a durable cord. These cords are then woven into a wicker sheet which is then applied and shaped onto the desired furniture frame.  This type of wicker is time tested and proven to be very durable in all conditions.

• Wrought Iron
  • Another classic look that’s been around for ages. It’s a very heavy and durable material that’s extremely strong. Iron can be cast, forged, welded together and bent into different designs.  Some customers are wary of the word ‘iron’ in regards to patio furniture because of the rusting aspect, but if it’s done correctly you can ease your mind. Iron furniture that uses a finishing process that includes pretreatment and primer, application of powder-coating, and curing of the finish is best. View a short factory tour of OW Lee, one manufacturer who has a good reputation working with iron.

• Aluminum
  • Wrought aluminum, or worked aluminum, is cast or extruded. Aluminum will not rust, therefore it’s an excellent material for outdoor use. Powder-coated finishes will resist chipping and provide a durable, long lasting finish.
    • Cast aluminum is solid, perfect for those windy areas. The manufacturing process involves molten aluminum poured into a mold, which can be of intricate designs. Examples below are dining table tops and a detailed arm of a chair.
    • Extruded aluminum is tubular, often lighter than cast aluminum, and typically has a smooth surface. Extruded aluminum should be reinforced internally (see the photo for an example) and can be bent, cut, and welded to create many popular styles.

• Wood and Faux Wood
  • Teak, mahogany, and jarrah, given their high oil content, are good examples of wood suitable for outdoor use because they are naturally waterproof. A variety of finishing applications can be used, but many customers like to let wood “age” with the weather. Teak, for example, will patina into a beautiful shade of silver-gray if let un-touched.
  • Faux Wood, products such as Envirowood or Marine Grade Polymer, are made from plastic resin material. The resin has UV inhibitors to protect against the sun and cracking and use stainless steel hardware. High quality faux wood or resin products are low maintenance.  

Thanks for visiting!

See Next: Patio 411: Part II - Cushions, Fabrics, and Slings