| Mention metal patio furniture and you probably | | | | and easily worked metallic element that never |
| think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of | | | | rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from |
| your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and | | | | the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion |
| chair set on your neighbour's lawn.But metal | | | | tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight |
| outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here's a | | | | but not exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are |
| quick primer on the available types and their | | | | still available today and are best used around a |
| care.Construction MethodsMetal is fashioned into | | | | pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor |
| furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, | | | | dining or sitting areas.Whether you're looking for |
| casting, and welding.Extrusion forces melted metal | | | | extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there |
| through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes | | | | are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As |
| of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.Casting | | | | with wrought iron, joints should be welded |
| metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the | | | | (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than |
| finished product. The molten metal is poured into | | | | bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect |
| the form and then the form is removed when | | | | webbing, they should be made of aluminum or |
| the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost | | | | stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust |
| always solid.Forging, a process in which metal is | | | | even though the main frame does not.Best quality |
| heated and hammered into shape produces the | | | | aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, |
| type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It | | | | which determines the final color of the piece and |
| uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal | | | | the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a |
| and joins them together by welding or | | | | process in which colorful polyester powders are |
| bolting.Common MaterialsThe most common metal | | | | applied and then baked onto the frame.If you're |
| outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, | | | | buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or |
| although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, | | | | straps, look for vinyl that has been processed |
| is growing.Iron is a chemical element that is | | | | with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. |
| naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, | | | | Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum frames |
| usually in black or dark green, can be found at | | | | should be treated with a finish to guarantee |
| premium prices and must be carefully maintained | | | | durability.Suntan oils, human perspiration, car |
| to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction | | | | exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the |
| pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or | | | | powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure |
| coating that protects against chipping, scratching | | | | long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a |
| and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes | | | | month with a solution of mild dish detergent and |
| available such as primer and paint, powder | | | | warm water. Rinse well. You can then apply paste |
| coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a | | | | car wax to any smooth finish frames.Steel, a |
| range of colors and styles.Since iron is heavy and | | | | hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various |
| solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light | | | | small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys |
| furniture might be blown away. Don't expect it to | | | | produce hardness and resistance to rusting. |
| be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron | | | | Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; |
| furnishings can last for 100 years.Much of the iron | | | | stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium |
| furniture available today is wrought iron, rather | | | | and is virtually immune to rust and |
| than cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, | | | | corrosion.Before the production of aluminum |
| look for pieces made with solid metal rather than | | | | furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture |
| hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than | | | | was common, dating from popular French-made |
| bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture is | | | | items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. |
| North American made.Iron furniture requires more | | | | American companies used solid steel until the |
| maintenance than other types of metal furniture. | | | | Second World War when the heavy military |
| Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and | | | | demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight |
| then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces | | | | tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage |
| and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. | | | | steel sets can still be found at flea markets.If |
| Oil springs and moving parts once per year. | | | | you're looking at modern steel furniture, be sure |
| Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by | | | | the product is either stainless or powder-coated |
| lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. | | | | and that any hardware used is also |
| Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, | | | | rust-resistant.Metal outdoor furniture in its many |
| letting each coat dry well before applying the | | | | shapes and designs can be a wonderful addition to |
| next. If you're using a spray paint, apply with | | | | your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and |
| short light stokes.Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight | | | | enjoy! |