Large amounts of outdoor furniture sets are made from some form of aluminum. There are many reasons why aluminum, both tubular and cast, is one of the most popular choices for outdoor structures today.  Below are some common questions we hear in regards to aluminum patio furniture.

What is the difference between an aluminum furniture set and cast aluminum furniture set?

Your typical aluminum outdoor furniture is most often composed of hollow tubular pieces that are then welded together to create a frame. These aluminum tubes allow for the patio furniture to be light weight and easy to transport and store. This type of aluminum furniture is most commonly found in big box retail stores such as Target or Home Depot and is usually relatively cheap. For many situations, this type of aluminum is perfect, but due to the limitation of the aluminum tubes, this type of furniture often lacks detail.

Cast aluminum furniture on the other hand is solid, making it heavier than its standard aluminum counterpart. Cast aluminum furniture starts with making a mold. The mold is then filled with molten aluminum and allowed to cool. Using a mold allows for cast aluminum furniture to feature intricate design elements, making these pieces much more sophisticated and stylized.

Can aluminum rust?

No! Aluminum cannot rust, which may be the number one reason why aluminum is such a popular metal used in outdoor furniture and accessories. We strongly suggest purchasing aluminum framed furniture if you live in high moisture areas such as coastal regions as well as states that see high humidity throughout the year or summer.

Is aluminum sturdy?

This answer depends on which kind of aluminum we are referring to. While tubular aluminum is hollow and lightweight, it is fairly sturdy but it does have its limits. For sitting purposes though, you won’t have to worry, but don’t expect your furniture to last more than a couple of years.

Cast aluminum on the other hand is extremely sturdy and durable due to its solid state. Unlike tubular aluminum, if you tried to bend or break this solid chunk of metal, you won’t have much luck! You can expect your cast aluminum furniture to last you a good 10+ years.

Can aluminum handle high wind speeds?

When it comes to tubular aluminum, depending on wind speeds, it is likely that it will blow around in strong winds, especially if there are cushions that allow the wind to catch. On the other hand, while cast aluminum furniture is still lightweight enough to easily move around if needed, it is heavy enough to withstand some pretty strong wind speeds.

Do you have a question about aluminum patio furniture that we didn’t cover? Let us know! We would love to answer any of your questions regarding aluminum or any other patio furniture materials. Leave us a message in the comments or tweet us your questions @AZPatio.