What Is the Best Metal for Patio Furniture?

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your old, deteriorating patio furniture or buy new pieces to create an outdoor oasis, you’ll need quality materials that fit perfectly for the job. Not all outdoor furniture is designed equal. Purchasing sets made of stable and dependable material, such as metal, will ensure you get the most use out of your new patio furniture.

The best metal for patio furniture is stainless steel because of its durability. Since patio furniture is exposed to outdoor elements, you should look for a reliable metal that can withstand weather changes and isn’t prone to damage easily.

To understand further why stainless steel is one of the industry’s highest-rated patio furniture materials, read on to find out how it compares to other metals on the market, namely wrought iron and aluminum, when purchasing your patio furniture.

Why You Should Choose Metal for Patio Furniture

You’re probably considering buying metal patio furniture because you assume it’s stronger and sturdier, and your assumption wouldn’t be incorrect. 

Wicker, bamboo, and wood are natural element choices because they perform well in aesthetics, but they fail to prevent discoloration, rotting, molding, or breaking, so your patio furniture won’t be reliable for too long when it comes in contact with rain or wind.

Unlike wood, bamboo, or wicker, metal has a higher damage threshold, meaning it won’t deteriorate as quickly when placed outdoors and exposed to the same elements. 

Therefore, it is true that metal offers better strength and protection for your outdoor furniture in comparison to organic materials. Still, if you want to ensure lasting quality, you’ll need to go a step further and choose the best metal of the bunch as well.

How Do Metals Compare?

Wrought iron, aluminum, and stainless steel are the most common metals used to build patio furniture. We’ll compare and contrast which of these metals offers the best standard of durability, strength, and value for your outdoor needs. 

The different metals have varying standards of compatibility with outdoor elements. Some of these metals can still succumb to weather damages when overly exposed to moisture or fluctuating temperatures, which can eventually lead to rust or corrosion.

Alongside structural damages, not all metals bear the same weight, level of upkeep, or price points, so it’s crucial that you know which metal outperforms the rest when choosing to invest in new patio furniture or even a few miscellaneous pieces.

Composition

Corrosion and rust are the side effects of too much oxygen and moisture building up on the surface layer of metal. This leads to an unpleasant and unsightly effect of discoloration and compromising the metal’s integrity. 

Wrought iron, aluminum, and stainless steel consist of different compositions that make them more or less prone to corrosion and rust, depending on their reactivity rates.

When situated outside and in contact with the elements, wrought iron has a rapid reactive rate that can quickly result in the oxidation process, which leaves behind the undesirable reddish-brown residue on the surface. 

Alternatively, aluminum’s reactive threshold is much higher than wrought iron, as the same elemental exposure encourages aluminum to build a protective aluminum oxide film across the surface to provide further protection. However, while aluminum doesn’t rust as rapidly as wrought iron, it remains an unfavorable option because of its lightweight and vulnerability in heavy winds or storms.

On the other hand, stainless steel consists of higher quantities of chromium alloys, which work in conjunction with oxygen to build up a defensive layer, preventing the metal from rusting when rained or snowed on and leaving stainless steel with a shiny, sleek finish.

Weight

Wrought iron remains one of the heaviest metals, while aluminum is one of the lightest, and stainless steel sits at midweight. Patio furniture’s weight is vital. The furniture will need enough density and composure to withstand strong winds or severe storms. However, it should still be easy enough to rearrange as you see fit.

Wrought iron is tough to move and can even leave behind scratches on your patio tiles, concrete, or stones. Aluminum can be moved freely but can also succumb to damages from a heavy storm, intense winds, or even accidents during use.

For these reasons, stainless steel provides the perfect middle ground of weight, strength, and security. It is also easy enough to move or relocate without issue.

Price Points

Similarly, each type of metal also comes with its price point that may or may not fit your budget. Wrought iron’s detailed craftsmanship renders the most significant price tag, while aluminum and stainless steel are relatively affordable for everyday outdoor furniture.

However, when purchasing your metal patio furniture, stainless steel will bring you the most value for your dollar as you won’t have to replace it often due to its structural strength.  

Optimizing Your Patio Furniture’s Potential

Once you’ve decided to invest in stainless steel patio furniture, you’ll then need to secure it and protect it for long-term use. To enhance the lifespan of your stainless steel patio furniture, place it in an ideal location, regularly clear away any dirt or debris build-up, and purchase a tarp or cover that can keep away unwanted pests, dust, or moisture.

Location

Your patio furniture’s location is vital because it will determine how much direct exposure the metal has to outdoor elements. When patio furniture sits underneath a covered patio, the added shading will reduce the heat absorption and deter excessive rain or snow. Suppose metal patio furniture lies in an open and uncovered area. In that case, you may find the metal to be hot or slippery, depending on weather conditions.

Since stainless steel—like most metals—retains heat, we recommend investing in cushions, covers, tarps, and umbrellas to make the furniture more comfortable on hot days if you have an uncovered patio.

Cleaning

Although we’ve established that stainless steel doesn’t corrode or rust as quickly as its wrought iron counterpart, it’s not entirely invincible. It can even accumulate some unwanted surface staining, scratches, or eventual corrosion, if not cared for or cleaned correctly.

The easiest and most efficient way to maintain your stainless steel patio furniture’s cleanliness is to give it a good wipe with a soft cloth and some warm water. The outdoor furniture experts at Hauser’s Patio suggest adding a drop or two of dish soap to your water mixture to remove hardened or stubborn build-up. 

We do not suggest using scrubs or abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch and damage the material further, making it more prone to rusting again in the future. 

Off-Season Protection

Just because stainless steel doesn’t require constant protection doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it for the sake of easy cleaning, preventing scratches, and keeping your furniture fresh. Patio furniture tarps and covers, such as the CKCLUU Patio Furniture Set Cover, are available for off-season protection or as the temperatures change and your patio sees less and less use.

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When purchasing tarps or patio covers, be sure to push your pieces together and measure around the perimeter and along the edges. You need a cover that extends around the top of the furniture and can be clipped underneath the chairs and table to provide complete protection.

You can purchase tarps and patio furniture covers to protect your whole set or individual pieces and at a much lower cost than replacing your cushions or furniture entirely.

Conclusion

When comparing and contrasting the different types of patio furniture metals, it’s clear that stainless steel is the winner in durability, strength, and price.

Not only can stainless steel withstand harsh weather conditions, but it also remains an affordable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically-appealing patio furniture material that comes in a wide selection of styles to choose from.

Now that you know which metal is best for patio furniture, you can invest in your new outdoor furniture set with confidence and feel great about the new patio furniture that will bring years of enjoyment and comfort.

Sources

• Patio Productions: How to Choose the Best Material for Outdoor Furniture
• Reliance Foundry: Ask a Metallurgist: Wrought Iron vs. Cast Iron
• Fractory: Stainless Steel – Properties, Grades and Applications
• Wayfair: Outdoor Furniture Materials Guides
• Monroe Engineering: Why Iron Rusts (And How to Prevent It)
• Reliance Foundry: Does Stainless Steel Rust?
• Out & Out: Choosing Metal Garden Furniture, a Buyer’s Guide
• Hauser’s Patio: Advantages of Stainless Steel Outdoor Furniture
• SilcoTek: Remove Rust from Stainless Steel and How to Stop it From Coming Back
• Gardenista: Your First Outdoor Furniture: 5 Mistakes to Avoid