How To Choose The Best Material For Your Outdoor Furniture
‘Give me a home among the gum trees… a clothesline out the front, verandah out the back and an old rocking chair.’ Now there’s an anthem all Australians know and rings true for our outdoor lifestyle here, particularly when it comes to enjoying our home’s backyard. While rocking chairs are slightly harder to come by in modern furniture stores, our gardens are made infinitely more liveable with a well-selected range of tables, chairs, or stools.
To optimise the longevity of your outdoor furniture, there are various factors to consider so you’re not replacing them annually thanks to their regular weather beatings. Most outdoor furniture is designed to withstand some weather conditions, however it’s important to consider how much time you have to maintain them and how much exposure they’ll have to the elements when selecting new pieces.
Material Girl
The number one consideration is the material your tables and chairs are made of. We’re known as the sunburnt country for good reason, and some material degrades under the sun faster than pale skin with freckles. So, material that can resist UV light degradation is important while also considering the usual suspects of rain, wind, and humidity. We recommend materials that can withstand all the above, with metal and plastic coming out on top.
Here are the options:
- Aluminium
- Polypropylene
Shown above: Adriano Dining Table and Nice Chair
Aluminium Furniture
Aluminium is our numero uno choice for maintaining pristine conditions, no matter what it faces. This metal is anti-corrosive for a start, so unless you love the rusty look (don’t admit that in public), aluminium is durable and strong. It’s also lightweight and easy to stack, move around or store away when not in use. Corsica offers a wide range of aluminium outdoor furniture, featuring the elegant Antibes range, the contemporary Luna collection, and the versatile Cannes range.
- Lightweight
- Hard wearing
- Rust resistant
- Long lasting
- UV stabilised
Shown above: Antibes Bar Table and Nice Bar Stool
Some aluminium furniture ideas:
Polypropylene Furniture
Second best (by a nose hair) is the Riva and Como lounge range, designed for effortless style and low-maintenance living. Made from durable materials, these pieces are easy to care for and built to perform in outdoor conditions without compromising on comfort or design.
The range is UV treated to help slow fading, but we still recommend keeping furniture out of prolonged direct sunlight to maintain its appearance over time.
Explore the Riva and Como lounge selections, popular choices that combine comfort, durability, and clean, modern design for both residential and commercial outdoor spaces.
Shown above: Como Lounger Set
Some polypropylene furniture ideas:
-
Como Side Table$ 34.00 -
Riva Single Sofa Chair$ 69.00 -
Riva Coffee Table$ 89.00 -
Como 2 Seater Sofa$ 199.00
How Do I Care For My Outdoor Furniture?
All furniture requires some care for longevity, and outdoor furniture deserves extra love for having to live outdoors (we’ve tried camping, it’s rough out there). Fortunately, upkeeping your furniture is far easier than scrubbing the dirt off and removing campfire smells post-camping. Give your outdoor furniture a wipe over after each use to pick up any foreign matter that can build up in crevices and age your furniture prematurely. If you have the option, consider storing the tables and chairs in a shed or garage during winter or particularly wet and windy periods. If no such space is available, furniture covers are a great investment to prevent dirt build up or fading on plastic. We recommend covers made from sturdy material like polyester oxford fabric which keeps moisture out.
If you’re still unsure of the right material for your new outdoor furniture, read all about our products and how to care for them online or visit one of your nearest stockist to see/feel the products in-store. We love tables and chair chat, it’s our favourite.
