Lightweight and rust-resistant cast aluminum patio furniture is an attractive alternative to heavier cast iron exterior pieces. It’s hard to believe that the same metal which beverage companies use to bottle our favorite soft drinks can be forged to manufacture sturdy exterior furnishings. Aluminum’s malleable quality enables manufacturers to craft pieces that look like cast iron, yet have the portability of lighter weight plastics. Unlike wrought metal, which is beaten into shape, cast aluminum is poured, or cast, into molds to mimic iron and to create intricate and fanciful designs or tubing of different widths. Cast aluminum patio furniture comes in a wide range of finishes from bronze, black, and bone, to its natural silver tone. And this maintenance-free metal is perfect for outdoor patio furniture that must adapt to extreme summer temperatures.

Today’s aluminum outdoor patio furniture is surprisingly strong, yet cool to the touch. To resist rusting, metal frames are sanded, then heated to over 650 degrees. While the metal is still white hot, frames are placed into a chamber where each piece is coated with a fine powder consisting of aluminum and resin particles and paint. Another heating process bonds the powder coating to the metal and cures the finish. The end result is a durable, rust and water resistant frame with the flexibility and strength to hold weights of up to several hundred pounds.

What makes aluminum outdoor patio furniture appealing is not only its distinctive and versatile style, but its relatively light weight. Most homeowners dread moving heavy patio furniture to clean recreational areas or accommodate large parties. But lightweight aluminum can be easily lifted and moved from porch to patio to poolside without calling out the National Guard! Stacking chairs constructed from this feather weight metal are easily transported from storage to do double duty on a patio for a large gathering. Smaller pieces can be folded and hung along a garage or storage room wall, out of the way and off of the floor. Chairs, chaises and tables offer casual seating that can be placed all around the yard with little effort. Even larger pieces, such as complete outdoor dining ensembles with glass tabletops, chairs, and removable umbrellas can quickly be disassembled and moved with ease.

When designing an outdoor room for family or guests, homeowners should consider using cast aluminum outdoor furniture for its good looks and enduring style. Contemporary and modern furnishings are nothing short of extraordinary, while traditional pieces offer timeless outdoor fashion. Cast aluminum pieces are the perfect blend of two qualities: strength and beauty. Domestic and foreign designers take advantage of the metal’s resilient strength to create masterpieces incorporating sleek frames with wicker, rattan, and teak wood seats, backs and tabletops. Homeowners can choose metal frames in five to six different finishes, paired with all-weather fabrics in summer oranges, tangerines, aquamarine solids, or olive stripes. The beauty of today’s outdoor patio furniture is that the look of store bought pieces can be personalized by using different cushions and accessories. Because most ensembles have standard sized cushions, shoppers can mix and match colors and patterns to achieve distinctly different looks. Vivid black and white patterns can easily go from formal to casual by adding punches of brilliant hues or primary colors. Monochromatic color schemes create a soothing accompaniment to cast aluminum outdoor furniture in almost any finish.

Good quality aluminum outdoor patio furniture, such as chairs, chaise lounges, gliders, and ottomans can be purchased at retail stores, home improvement centers, online catalogs, or warehouse outlets. No matter what the style, consumers should purchase the best quality for the dollar. Buy sturdily constructed pieces that are welded and finished to last. High quality pieces should come with optional 5- to 7-year warranties on frames. Ordering from one manufacturer or brand will ensure that individual pieces can be added or replaced in the future, without having to use mismatched sets, or buy entirely new ensembles. Purchasing pieces with classic lines will enable homeowners to use furnishings from year to year without having them look dated or out of style. In spite of the rust- and scratch-free finishes of cast aluminum outdoor furniture, homeowners should purchase and use covers to protect pieces from water, heat, and mildew. Patio ensembles can run as little as $500 for good quality sets to nearly $2,000 and up for each designer piece. Online companies accept major credit cards, but shipping and handling will up the price; and shoppers will usually have to wait six weeks for delivery.

One man’s cast aluminum trash is another man’s treasure! Budget-conscious shoppers may want to surf online discount stores for the best buys on used furnishings at considerable savings. Flea markets, yard sales, and thrift shops may carry used pieces that can be spruced up with new cushions and a coat of paint. Vintage pieces are chock full of character and make a “uniquely you” statement. Older pieces can be painted in bright primary colors, subdued blacks and bronzes, or hot pinks and oranges. Flea market finds of aluminum outdoor patio furniture can be collected for an eclectic mix of different styles. Purchase several pieces and spray paint them all in the same color. Add matching or coordinating cushions and stand back and wait for the rave reviews! Dressing up an exterior space is all about self-expression, comfort, and enduring quality. Great outdoor style doesn’t necessarily depend on dollars and cents, just a little design savvy!

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For durability in all types of weather, metal outdoor furniture is still tops among wood and wicker contenders, with cast aluminum, in particular, leading the way.

We’re not talking the flimsy, fold-up versions of long-ago summer vacations; not those lightweight pieces of silver tubing held together with strapping that could be easily tossed in the trunk and taken along to the family picnic.

Noted for its ability to resist corrosion, cast aluminum and tubular aluminum are renown for a special powder coating that helps prevent rust. Some low grade aluminum pieces don’t have this protection, and one good rainstorm will prove it after you discover orange puddles underneath chairs and tables.

Compared to wrought iron, another metal that is prone to rusting and that even if initially protected with some type of finish will require regular maintenance or refinishing to keep its looks, cast aluminum is the better choice. It has a look similar to iron, but it’s not as heavy, doesn’t require maintenance (other than hosing off), and won’t need to be painted. It also won’t chip or peel. For these reasons, cast aluminum often makes the most cost-effective decision when choosing outdoor furniture.

Because of their “cast” nature due the the aluminum being poured into molds to define its design details, cast aluminum pieces offer more intricacy than does the process of wrought iron construction. The technique in designing cast aluminum pieces has become so good that it’s allowed the industry to introduce outdoor furniture that has new shapes, fresh designs and extreme comfort.

Here’s what you can expect in choosing well made cast aluminum outdoor furniture:

• long-term durability
• solid construction
• innovative designs
• resistant to rust
• lighter weight construction
• easy to move
• smooth weld points
• comfort
• intricate detailing
• no-fuss maintenance
• weather resistant
• handles cold and hot weather extremes

Cast aluminum also comes in a wide variety of colors; more so than wrought iron. And it comes in a wide variety of price points, depending if you purchase from a specialty garden shop, local retailer or Big Box chain store. Often, you can find items for less on the internet.

Be careful if selecting machine cast pieces—cheaper selections which often require some assembly work — as design detail will be a lower quality. Do-it-yourself construction—attaching pieces with nuts and bolts—will also mean that joint work won’t be welded for smoothness and stability like on higher end cast aluminum pieces. If strength and durability are important in your selection, choose furniture that is cast by experts.

You have to consider the weather, pollen, leaves, trees, insects, pets, and everything else you can imagine. If you do not clean up after all of them continuously it will become damaged. However, if you treat it like you’re using your furniture near a pool it will be a different story.

When you take this route you will understand that chlorine eats away your outdoor furniture cushions. If you wipe them down everyday you will not have to worry about damage occurring from it.

Certain deck furniture requires different cleaning measures. With wood, you can sand down the spots that have dirt build up. Most wood furniture for a patio is stained with a protective stain fighting seal as well.

Aluminum is similar to wood in the sense it will not damage as easily. It will not rust because it develops a protective outer exterior to prevent corrosion after being exposed to air.

If you have plastic or resin patio furniture you have to mix a mild detergent with water. Cleaning your Patio Furniture regularly in this case will keep your furniture from having hard build up. If you do not it will be difficult to remove.

Prior to storing your deck furniture at the end of the season, you should do a thorough cleaning of your furniture from your patio. If you have cushions that have a removable zipper cover, then this will be even easier for you. Make sure that you hand wash your furniture with a mild detergent.

If you use any harsh chemicals, it could end up eating away the paint during the storage period. Now, you can use bleach, but you have to mix it with water before spraying it on your furniture. Taking this route means you have to remove any fabric first. Oh, and never use bleach on wood.

You should also store the patio furniture in a separate location, which is away from the base. Just do not wrap them in plastic because it only encourages things like mildew or mold.

The best thing to do is store them in an air tight plastic container. The area should also be cool and dry, but if you can’t do this then it will be important to invest in good Patio Furniture covers.

If you can find good quality covers they will fit any type of furniture. They should also be heavy so they can withstand the weather conditions in your area. In the end, take care of your Patio Furniture all year round it will last for many, many years.

If you like to enjoy BBQ’s and like sitting outside, you need the correct patio furniture sets.You can get many seats that have patio furniture cushions already, but using the Internet you can get better cushions that have many designs.

Materials Needed:

• Small Grinder Tool (Dremmel, etc)
• Sandpaper (60/120/320 grit)
• Safety Glasses
• Work Gloves
• Auto Primer
• Auto Glazing Compound
• Liquid Metal Filler
• Paint Remover
• Paint
• Clear Coat Finishing Spray

Step 1-Remove Existing Paint

Remove any existing paint with the paint remover according to the manufacturer instructions.

Step 2-Smooth Rough Spots

Wearing safety glasses and heavy work gloves, use your grinder tool to smooth over any rough spots, rust or pits in the metal.  Be careful not to stop at any one spot because you will eat away at the metal and create a weak spot or break.

Step 3-Sand Off Remaining Paint

Use 60 grit sandpaper to smooth any remaining rough edges, sanding below any rust spots until you reach clean bare metal.  If you did not need to use a grinding tool, then simply use the 60 grit sandpaper to smooth out rough metal spots and then use the 120 grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.

Step 4-Fill in Holes

Use the liquid metal filler to fill in any holes or indentations resulting from rust.  Do not worry if the filler is not flush with the surface of the metal, since you will be sanding it smooth.

Step 5-Apply Glaze

Use your glazing compound to fill in small spots and imperfections.  Keep in mind that glazing compound is intended to only be used in a very thin layer and not built up.

Step 6-Let Liquid Metal and Glaze Dry

After applying the liquid metal and glazing compounds, let your furniture dry.  Glazing compound usually only take about half an hour to dry; liquid metal often takes several hours.

Step 7-Smooth Out Edges

Use your 60 grit or 120 grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges of raised areas resulting from using the liquid metal or glazing compound.

Step 8-Apply Auto Primer

Spray the auto primer on your metal furniture, applying at least two to three coats and letting each coat dry between coats.  You can use a hair dryer to speed up this process.

Step 9-Sand for a Smooth Finish

After you have reexamined your furniture and made any further repairs, do one more final light sanding  of the entire piece with 320 grit sandpaper to create a smooth fine finish.

Step 10-Apply Paint and Top Coat

Apply your paint and then a finish clear coat.

With a bit of effort, you can turn your rusting vintage metal outdoor furniture into a backyard masterpiece

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Outdoor furniture is a large investment and not something you will want to replace annually. With proper care and cleaning, you should get years of enjoyment from your outdoor tables, chairs and benches. When new furniture is purchased, often a care leaflet is included. This info is easily lost over the years. Since outdoor furniture comes in a wide variety of materials, there are many different approaches to maintenance. Most outdoor furniture can be cleaned with mild soap and water. A pressure washer with between 1200 to 1300 psi is useful for cleaning many types of outdoor furnishings, but be sure to use a low setting.
Wicker furniture can usually be cleaned with a garden hose and bristle brush to dislodge the debris that gets in the weave. Do it in full sun if possible on a dry day so that it dries quickly. When dry, you can apply a paste wax to the frame to help keep it clean and water resistant. Be aware tho that the effect of water on paste wax can leave whitish spots, like the rings that cold beverage glasses leave on polished furniture. If the wicker is unpainted, a product like Thompsons Water Seal might be a good choice for exposed frames and worn areas.

Wooden outdoor furniture that has been finished with a exterior grade varnish can be cleaned first and re-treated if weathered or worn after it is completely dry. Wood garden furniture is best stored indoors over winter except for teak and cedar which have natural preservatives in the wood.

Fabric from outdoor chairs and hammocks can often be washed in the machine on a gentle cycle. You can add bleach for white items. To avoid shrinkage, stretch the fabric that goes on frames back in place while damp. Be sure to clean or treat the frames before the fabric is put back on. Store fabric indoor furniture indoors off season.

Fabric cushions can be scrubbed with a soft bristle brush and rinsed with water. Allow to dry completely before putting into use or storage. Some types of cushions are mildew resistant and can be scrubbed with a solution of 1 cup bleach, 1 cups detergent, gallon of water. Mix and spray on the cushion and allow it to soak for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse with water and allow to dry completely. When storing fabric cushions, never wrap them in plastic. Plastic does not breath and you are much more likely to get mildew.

Resin or Poly outdoor furniture is the easiest in the care dept. A product designed to clean boats, like Greezed Lightning, melts old body oils and grime. Just rinse well. Most general purpose cleaning sprays like 409, or Fantastic do a good job too, just don’t let them sit on the finish for long. On a tough stain, you can sand past the stained finish with fine grit wet-dry sandpaper or abrasive powdered cleaner and polish the surface with paste wax to help re-finish where you have sanded. Mildew can be removed with a spray like Tilex, but just wash clean immediately.

Outdoor umbrellas require some lubrication after being in storage usually. Check the joints and moving parts. Use a spray or drop lubricant on metal frames and bar soap or paste wax on wooden umbrella frames. Be sure to avoid getting it on the umbrella’s fabric cover. Wash the covers using a soft bristle brush and a mild soap or detergent.

Metal Patio Chairs