This is steel…
French Garden Furniture
Bistro Garden Furniture
this is steel….
and this is steel!
Modern Outdoor Furniture
Whether you are a traditionalist, seeking classic lines that compliment changing transitional decor, lover of all things Victorian, or like to be on the cutting edge of modern design, metal garden furniture made of steel offers the most flexibility of any material today.
Design flexibility is one of the reasons steel has become the material of choice for so many outdoor furniture companies and the designers who create their product lines. Mild steel and stainless steel furniture each offer different advantages and disadvantages.
Mild steel, also known as low carbon steel is composed of iron and 15-30 percent carbon. Mild steel is commonly used for many steel garden furniture designs. It is strong yet can be manipulated into an infinite variety of shapes. It’s properties are similar to wrought iron but it can be cast as well as rolled into bars. Welding the cast design work to twisted, bent, and shaped rolled pieces creates an endless source of design possibility. It can also be combined with some of the new resin and synthetic materials for even more flexibility.
Finishing mild steel is of paramount importance when considering use in the outdoor environment. A zinc coating, referred to as galvanizing, can be applied which will protect the steel from rust. Powder coating is another method of protecting the steel where a color spray is applied which actually chemically bonds with the steel for a long lasting finish. The automotive industry has perfected the methods of paint application and the better furniture manufacturers use these techniques as well.
Stainless steel is steel alloyed with chromium and nickel. When 20-40 percent of the steel is composed of chromium and nickel it results in a rust proof finish perfect for outdoor use. The amount of chromium present also determines the color ranging from a gray to bright silver. Many contemporary designs lend themselves well to stainless steel. While it is possible to weld stainless steel, it is difficult to cut and grind because of it’s strength, therefore straight lines are more easily constructed.
So when shopping for metal garden furniture it is helpful to think a bit before you look to determine which material will provide the best selection. If you are looking for shapes and curves, and you love color mild steel has more selection. If the subtle understated beauty of stainless steel appeals to you and you prefer straight or angular design then stainless steel garden furniture should provide a lot to choose from.