Factors to Consider in the Material of Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture frames, table tops, and upholstery need to maintain their structural integrity and their appearance over multiple seasons and in all weather conditions. Additionally, the time and effort required to maintain the materials throughout the year, as well as their "greenness" and cost are important aspects to check.

If you live in an area with frequent heavy rains or high humidity, you need to make sure your furniture is resistant to damage from various water-based issues. Standing water, or retaining moisture, not only physically degrades the material, but it can also cause health risks.

A humid environment creates an environment in which a variety of fungi thrive. Organic materials that retain moisture are susceptible to mold and mildew, which can cause breathing problems, irritation, and other health problems. However, they usually do not damage the material and can be removed. Rot, on the other hand, causes the biodegradation and decomposition (rot) of the material.

Metals containing iron or steel are susceptible to corrosion when continuously exposed to water and oxygen. The corrosive oxidation process slowly weakens these metals, resulting in visible rust and other discoloration. The salt in the air and water accelerates chemical processes, so rust is generally more common in coastal areas.

Materials that allow water to penetrate may dry unevenly, causing distortion (warping or bending) of the original shape. Initially, it may be imperceptible, but over time it can visibly distort the material, dislocating seams and loosening screws and other fasteners used to hold furniture together.

If you live in a sunny area or an area with dramatic seasonal climate changes, you'll want to look for outdoor materials that can withstand strong UV rays and fluctuations in extreme heat to extreme cold.

Continued exposure to sunlight can cause many materials to fade and lose their luster over time. Aesthetic changes can be appealing (such as patina), or simply reduced color vibrancy or uneven spots.

Some materials expand and contract significantly when heated or cooled. They can crack, split, warp or become brittle when exposed to extreme temperatures or violent fluctuations. Dry air can also cause furniture to bend and crack.

The heat can also cause other logistical problems. Patio furniture placed in the sun can get hot and uncomfortable (or unsafe) to touch. No one wants to burn their skin when they sit or try to reposition a poolside lounger.

If you live in an open and windy area, it's important that your outdoor furniture is heavy enough not to tip over or be blown away. It doesn't take much to damage a nice deck chair or dining table when challenging nature, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Otherwise, you will need to continuously store or protect your items when they are not in use.

Some outdoor materials may last for years under ideal conditions but may need to be replaced every few seasons when exposed to severe weather. Others can withstand countless elements in a lifetime and still look new. Another durability-related variable is used. If you only dine at the outdoor table a few times a year, it will wear less than the sun loungers and daybeds poolside in popular upscale resorts and hotels. The more frequently it is used, the more durable the material should be.

Aesthetics and functional durability are also affected by how well you take care of your patio furniture. Some materials require little attention season after season and can be cleaned quickly and easily with simple soap and water. Others require more time-intensive care and special products to keep them looking great and working properly. If your time is at a premium, or you just don't want the hassle, you may want to choose materials that are less expensive to maintain.

Today, everyone is aware of the environmental impact of production processes and product raw materials, even if they do not know the specifics. All things being equal, most people (hopefully) prefer to be ecologically responsible. Fortunately, most luxury brands of outdoor furniture have adopted "green" manufacturing practices and use materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, or certified by environmental groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). That said, the recyclability of different outdoor materials does vary.

At the end of the day, most people focus on the financial implications of choosing one material for furniture over another. You need to stay within your budget, but it's also important to understand how expensive your materials are and their price versus benefit value in the long run. Does it need to be replaced frequently? Does maintenance require excessive time and effort? These are key cost considerations that you may not immediately think of when evaluating alternatives.

The above briefly introduces the factors that need to be paid attention to when choosing outdoor furniture. If you want to customize or buy outdoor furniture, please contact us.

CDG is a professional custom indoor and outdoor furniture manufacturer. We are specialists in creating unique and inspiring indoor and outdoor furniture for the contract designer and garden market, selling over 160 countries in over 10,000 large-scale projects over the past 16 years. In our various styles of furniture, you can always find trendy furniture items to suit your project, including modern style furniture, retro style furniture, industrial style furniture, country style furniture, and more.