Aluminum outdoor furniture is a shining example of just how far the casual furniture industry has come, offering new innovative products that satisfy more demand for cost effective, performance driven design, while looking for solutions to protect the beauty of the environment. In terms of the long history of the entire outdoor furniture industry, aluminum is a baby. It was not until the 1960’s that aluminum found it’s way into the outdoor metal furniture market. Depending on the application required , searching for the right manufacturing method can give you exactly what you need and want.
Aluminum cast furniture (garden) offers the most of all metals in terms of possible design options because aluminum can be cast in any process, of which their are too many to describe for the purposes of this article. Cast Aluminum is a great choice for areas where wind is prevalent because the end product is of substantial weight. It is also a good choice for complex designs since the entire piece can be manufactured without the need for joined seams.
A wide variety of aluminum patio garden furniture is best manufactured using extruded processes. Tubular extrusions can be made hollow for a substantial look while maintaining a light weight so that the furniture can be moved from place to place. An added benefit to this process is that costs are kept at a reasonable level. Extruded aluminum garden furniture can also be filled solid in various shapes for many interesting designs from very casual to upscale contemporary.
Climates in which extreme cold is an issue need not be concerned about the performance of aluminum outdoor furniture. It can stand up to the coldest of temperatures and even becomes stronger as the temperature decreases. It is used extensively in the aircraft manufacturing industry where atmospheric performance is paramount.
Aluminum patio garden furniture will not rust but corrosion could be a concern unless properly finished with a coating. Particular attention should be paid to proper coating for areas in which saltwater spray and high humidity are part of the geographic climate. Pool areas where contact with suntan oils and body perspiration are common can also lead to corrosion of untreated aluminum over time. Most high end lines in the industry use a multiple step powder coating process which performs beautifully and will provide your furniture with the best protection for your investment.
© Barlow Tyrie
As we all become more aware of the importance of making good choices for the environment, aluminum outdoor furniture offers good opportunity to be green. It is one of the best eco-friendly materials on the market. Extruded aluminum processes offer cost effective production methods, where the material discarded no longer ends up in landfills. In the production of new outdoor furniture some high end manufacturers use only virgin aluminum, meaning it has not come from recycled materials. There is research to show that strength and quality for certain applications requires the use of virgin material. In other cases, recycled aluminum works equally well. In either case, once the product has outlived it’s purpose as garden furniture, it can be used for other products without sacrifice in quality and continues to be recycled back to the consumer thereby making the circle complete. Aluminum’s sustainability and performance are combined to offer some of the most beautifully designed outdoor furniture on the market today.