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Aluminum Is The Most Popular Frame Material For Outdoor Furniture Use. Aluminum outdoor furniture does not rust, is very durable, requires little maintenance and has the ability to take on any look or style that someone has the imagination to create. Naturally, the more aluminum used in making the outdoor furniture, the more costly it will be. However, it will also be a heavier product that may be a better choice for use in a windy area. Aluminum patio furniture may be categorized into different construction methods: tubular, cast and wrought aluminum. When looking at the the three primary aluminum furniture construction methods, it's important to remember that each method has characteristics, advantages and features that are unique to that particular type of aluminum furniture construction. Certainly, the basic method of selecting one over another is to choose the design style that pleases you and is comfortable for you. Further thought, however, should be given to the area in which you will use your furniture and the particular needs for your lifestyle. Tubular Aluminum: In tubular aluminum furniture the furniture frame is made from extruded tubing that is formed when molten metal is forced through a die which shapes it into a hollow tube. The variety of shapes that can be created is unlimited, ranging from simple round tubing to wide “racetrack” extrusions and everything in between. |
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Tubular aluminum construction typically includes vinyl straps, fabric slings or cushions for the seat and back portion of the outdoor furniture. All three are replaceable over time if the need arises. On a good quality aluminum frame, the metal frame will far outlast the softer material used for the seat and back. When investing in this type of furniture, it is a good idea to ask how easy it is to purchase these replacement parts when needed. An outdoor living specialist will usually supply parts for any furniture purchased from them.
Features and Benefits: Tubular aluminum is one of the best choices for extreme exposure at the beach. It is also frequently the material of choice for contemporary styling. You'll find a dazzling array of handsome color choices for frames and straps, as well as a full selection of vibrant fabrics if you choose furniture with cushions or slings. Cast Aluminum: In this construction method, molten aluminum is poured into molds and cooled. Parts of the whole are cast separately and welded or bolted together to form the piece of furniture. With the ability to create any shape or detail in a casting, this manufacturing method is unlimited in the realm of design creativity. Often made in traditional styles because of the ability to achieve great detail in the castings, contemporary designs that are sleeker and reflect more modern tastes are being manufactured as well. |
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Traditionally, fully welded cast aluminum was the sign of premium quality and reserved for high quality pieces where design and style were of prime importance. While this still reflects quality today, it is possible to find good quality cast aluminum outdoor furniture that has some amount of bolts joining the parts together.
Today, most cast aluminum outdoor furniture is powder coated. Occasionally, a decorative top coat will be hand applied to enhance a finish and create an aged, or weathered, patina. Fetatures and Benefits: Cast aluminum is undeniably distinctive and elegant. |
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It features classic designs with roots in the cast-iron stylings of the 18th century. But, like tubular aluminum, it is also amazingly durable and easy to maintain.
Cast aluminum is usually investment furniture. Quality cast-aluminum furniture can be costly and is not for the family that craves a new look every few seasons. But, if you treat this category as a collector might, acquiring pieces over a number of years, you will end up with exactly what you want - an outdoor room that is second to none. It is very important to maintain the finish on these pieces. As cast aluminum is a liquid poured into a mold, the metal is not entirely solid. Little air pockets form in the cast metal. Any moisture that gets into the bare metal can cause blistering and peeling of the paint around it. If you are selecting this type of outdoor furniture for an extreme climate condition (such as the beach) where sand and/or salt will abrade the finish, it would be wise to purchase the best quality you can afford as the powder coat paint will be thicker and of the highest quality. |
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Wrought Aluminum: Wrought aluminum outdoor furniture is essentially like wrought iron with aluminum used in place of iron. Stock aluminum is hammered, forged and welded into a design in the same method that has been used for thousands of years with iron. The welded frames are cleaned and finished with a powder coat paint process to give protection from the elements.
Wrought aluminum outdoor furniture is often constructed to be used with a cushion in the seat and, perhaps the back. The cushion is designed to be of a thickness and inner construction to maintain its shape and comfort level so that the hard metal seat underneath will not be felt. |
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Features and Benefits: With only the designer’s imagination to limit the design, wrought aluminum is one of the most versatile aluminum furniture construction techniques. Though wrought aluminum cannot duplicate the more intricate wrought-iron stylings, some believe that it represents the ideal wedding of art and technology. With wrought aluminum, you can enjoy the traditional elegance of a wrought-iron look in a material that is lighter in weight, low maintenance and rustproof.
The best quality wrouht alumimum outdoor furniture will have a thicker paint which will last longer when exposed to the sun and rain. This painted finish is the barrier that keeps the aluminum from oxidizing. Finish: The state of the art finishing technique used on most metal frames is called powder coating. Dry paint particles are ionized and sprayed onto the cleaned and dried frames. This is then baked resulting in a very durable and thick finish that gives a more comprehensive coating than a wet paint finish. A good quality powder coat finish is extremely resistant to chipping, peeling, cracking and fading. |
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What to Look For:
Quality Manufacturers:
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Care and Maintenance: In general, aluminum outdoor furniture requires little maintenance. Although aluminum outdoor furniture will not rust, exposed, unfinished aluminum will oxidize. Therefore, maintaining the finish is important in lengthening the life of your outdoor furniture. A retail store that specializes in outdoor furniture usually has cleaning and care products that will have a protectant in the formula, such as FeronGARD. These products are specially formulated to clean and protect outdoor furniture without using harmful or toxic chemicals. Most manufacturers support the use of these specialty products on their furniture. This is important as you will want to maintain your furniture in a way that will not negate a warranty.
Cleaning may be as simple as washing with a mild soap and water solution. Again, for tougher cleaning issues, a specialty cleaning product, such as Feron's 1 For All cleaner, can make your job a snap. When cleaning your furniture or getting it ready for winter storage, it is a good time to look over each piece carefully. Areas that are missing paint or have cracks or fissures in the painted finish need attention in order to protect the metal itself. It is recommended to sand these areas with a 400-600 grit sandpaper, clean the frame, allow it to dry completely and then apply touch up paint. If the finish is smooth, an application of a mild auto wax every six months will help preserve the furniture’s original luster. |
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Select the articles you wish to read from the list below. When you have finished the entire series, you will be on your way to living the outdoor lifestyle! Outdoor Living Essentials Articles |
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