| Mention metal patio furniture and you probably | | | | short light stokes. |
| think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of | | | | Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily |
| your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and | | | | worked metallic element that never rusts. Much |
| chair set on your neighbour's lawn. | | | | of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s |
| But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. | | | | was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. |
| Here's a quick primer on the available types and | | | | Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not |
| their care. | | | | exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still |
| Construction Methods | | | | available today and are best used around a pool |
| Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three | | | | area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor |
| main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding. | | | | dining or sitting areas. |
| Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes | | | | Whether you're looking for extruded, cast or |
| and forms long narrow tubes of metal, | | | | wrought aluminum items, there are a few items |
| sometimes solid, but often hollow. | | | | that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, |
| Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped | | | | joints should be welded (preferably |
| like the finished product. The molten metal is | | | | full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If |
| poured into the form and then the form is | | | | bolts are used, for example to connect webbing, |
| removed when the metal has solidified. Cast | | | | they should be made of aluminum or stainless |
| pieces are almost always solid. | | | | steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even |
| Forging, a process in which metal is heated and | | | | though the main frame does not. |
| hammered into shape produces the type of | | | | Best quality aluminum pieces have a |
| furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes | | | | powder-coated finish, which determines the final |
| and various solid pieces of the metal and joins | | | | color of the piece and the durability of the metal. |
| them together by welding or bolting. | | | | Powder coating is a process in which colorful |
| Common Materials | | | | polyester powders are applied and then baked |
| The most common metal outdoor furniture is | | | | onto the frame. |
| made from iron or aluminium, although the use of | | | | If you're buying aluminum furniture with vinyl |
| steel, especially stainless steel, is growing. | | | | webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been |
| Iron is a chemical element that is naturally | | | | processed with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet |
| malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in | | | | stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on |
| black or dark green, can be found at premium | | | | aluminum frames should be treated with a finish |
| prices and must be carefully maintained to | | | | to guarantee durability. |
| prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction | | | | Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and |
| pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or | | | | salt spray can all eat away at the powder coating |
| coating that protects against chipping, scratching | | | | on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean |
| and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes | | | | your aluminum furniture twice a month with a |
| available such as primer and paint, powder | | | | solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. |
| coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a | | | | Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to |
| range of colors and styles. | | | | any smooth finish frames. |
| Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for | | | | Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and |
| windy spots where light furniture might be blown | | | | various small percentages of metallic elements. |
| away. Don't expect it to be highly portable, | | | | The alloys produce hardness and resistance to |
| though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for | | | | rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; |
| 100 years. | | | | stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium |
| Much of the iron furniture available today is | | | | and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion. |
| wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you're | | | | Before the production of aluminum furniture in the |
| buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with | | | | mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, |
| solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are | | | | dating from popular French-made items |
| welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, | | | | manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. |
| the better furniture is North American made. | | | | American companies used solid steel until the |
| Iron furniture requires more maintenance than | | | | Second World War when the heavy military |
| other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly | | | | demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight |
| with warm soapy water and then dry it | | | | tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage |
| thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply | | | | steel sets can still be found at flea markets. |
| mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil | | | | If you're looking at modern steel furniture, be |
| springs and moving parts once per year. | | | | sure the product is either stainless or |
| Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by | | | | powder-coated and that any hardware used is |
| lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. | | | | also rust-resistant. |
| Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, | | | | Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and |
| letting each coat dry well before applying the | | | | designs can be a wonderful addition to your |
| next. If you're using a spray paint, apply with | | | | outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy! |