Outdoor areas are all about relaxing while having fun. In addition to having the perfect dining setting to gather and enjoy good food, drinks and company, let’s not forget about the importance of having a lounging area.
Having an outdoor lounge area gives you the ability to relax and enjoy the fresh air outside whenever you want. And while choosing the right furniture style matters, what matters more is choosing the right type of material, not only for its look but also for the way its durability when exposed to the elements.
Wood
Without a doubt, wood was and still is one of the most popular materials for furniture. Wood is considered one of the most appealing furniture choices mainly because it has the ability to add warmth and beauty to any space. Being a natural material and constantly exposed to the elements, this gives us a clear picture that wooden outdoor furniture can withstand anything. It’s durable, easy to shape and work with, and always available.
The most important thing you need to have in mind when choosing wooden outdoor furniture is that not all types of wood are designed to be used outdoors and for a long period of time. For instance, softer woods like pine, cedar and fir are widely available and quite commonly used, but mainly for indoor furniture. When talking about a durable outdoor patio lounge setting, choosing hardwoods is fundamental in order to be sure that it will resist weather damage. When chosen wisely and properly cared for, it’s said that these outdoor lounge settings can last for decades.
Speaking of durable hardwoods, besides teak, another commonly used material for creating breathtaking outdoor lounge sets e is Acacia wood. It’s said that Acacia is one of the hardest wood in the world of hardwoods and it differs from other types by its high pliability and density. When cut, it can be seen that its wood structure is multidirectional which means that the fibres are facing each other which makes it stronger. Acacia also has an attractive natural grain which makes it quite breathtaking, but the most important thing of all is that it’s water and weather resistant. Acacia wood is also known for its antibacterial properties, it’s resistant to scratches and it can be easily shaped into different forms of furniture/items.
Resin
Resin is a man-made synthetic material that has become quite popular over the years. This material is easy to work with and can be shaped into previously unimaginable and unattainable shapes. Besides being able to be shaped into anything you want, furniture made of this material is also lightweight, appealing and available in any colour you want. Plus, given the fact that its colour is obtained during the chemical process/making, this makes it fade-resistant. What’s more, unlike wood that has to be pre-coated once a year, resin outdoor furniture doesn’t require any paint or sealants.
When searching for the right outdoor furniture made of resin, make sure to opt for a high-quality version of resin because it’s denser, resistant to weather damage and sometimes eco-friendly as it won’t emit any chemicals even when exposed to UV rays. Resin furniture is also quite easy to clean. All you have to do is to take the hose and spray it. If needed, you can use soapy water and clean the stains. Even though it seems that resin is quite awesome, it also has its downsides. The first one is that when exposed to the sun it can get a little softer (although it’ll come back to its original shape once the sun is gone). The second and maybe most important one is its weight which makes it not suitable to be used in windy environments.
Aluminium
The last but not least material for outdoor furniture you have to consider is aluminium. Aluminium is a type of metal that over the years have gained popularity for outdoor furniture as well. It’s strong yet relatively lightweight which makes it portable and easy to rearrange even on your own. It is resistant to rust and moisture unlike some other types of metals. It also has powder-coating which adds extra protection against the elements. Easy to maintain and clean, aluminium outdoor furniture is certainly worth the try.
How to Touch Up Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture?
The first thing you need to do is to rough up the surface with sandpaper and then smooth everything out with grit paper. No primers will be needed after this, so all you’ll have to do is to apply an exterior-grade acrylic enamel paint. You can repaint it with the help of a fine brush or you can choose a proper spray paint for easier application. If not sure that you can do it on your own, feel free to contact a professional painter and let him do the job for you.