Fall is the perfect time of the year for owning an outdoor fire pit. With the weather cooling down and the nights becoming relatively chilly, there are many excuses that can be made for going out back and starting up the fire. Here are some fun activities that can be shared with your family around the fire pit this fall!

• Cooking: Throwing food on the grill, or heating something up in the oven are both ways of cooking that are used by everyone on almost a daily basis. However, there is something special about cooking your food over the fire. It is not too often that someone has the opportunity to do so, so when you do get the chance it is unforgettable. You may be thinking, “What can I even cook over an outdoor fire pit?” There is no need to worry because there are plenty of options! Hot dogs, corn on the cob, and marsh mellows are all great possibilities. There are even metal grates that you can purchase to put over the top of your fire pit that will allow you to cook a lot of different things, such as pizza.

• Relaxing: Sometimes the best feeling of being outdoors around the fire is that of relaxation. If you have had a long day, or if you simply want to get outside in the cool weather, relaxing by the fire is the best choice. Make sure to complement your fire pit with comfortable seating and you may never want to get up!

• Ghost Stories: This is the perfect activity if you have children. There is nothing more spooky than going outback at night, turning off all of the lights in the house, and sitting by the fire while telling a good old fashioned ghost story. Roast marsh mellows and let your imaginations flow for this classic activity.

If you do not already own an outdoor fire pit, then this is the time of year where you are severely missing out. Fire pits are one of the best pieces of outdoor furnishing that one can own, especially as the weather begins to cool down. If you have a fire pit, or have ever spent the night around one, we would love to hear your favorite fire pit activities! You can let us know by commenting below, or through getting in touch on Facebook or Twitter.

An outdoor fire pit can be one of the most elegant and soothing purchases that someone can make for their patio. The comfort and relaxation that comes with sitting outside by the fire is unmatched by any other piece of outdoor furniture. However, when purchasing a fire pit for your patio it may become difficult because of all of the options available. There are marble, granite, aluminum, slate, iron, and many more types of fire pits and choosing between them may become a nightmare at some point or another. While the decision between these types of fire pits is totally up to you, here is a little information about the benefits you receive when going with cast aluminum fire pits.

Low Maintenance: Everyone’s favorite part of having an aluminum firepit, or any firepit in general, is the time that is spent actually enjoying the firepit itself! The benefit of cast aluminum firepits is that they do not rust, unlike iron. Because of their inability to rust, cast firepits make themselves very easy to take care of. No longer will you have to spend hours trying to find the best way to remove rust from your firepit, and instead you will have much more time to enjoy the fire.

 Last Longer: Going along with the fact that they do not rust, cast aluminum firepits are also very durable in the sense that they do not crack very easily. Because of this, these firepits are able to last through many types of different weather. From heavy rain to high temperatures, cast aluminum firepits are going to be able to maintain their beauty and effectiveness at the same time, leading to a longer useful lifespan.

Lightweight: The final “L” of cast aluminum firepits are that they are lightweight. Because of this advantage, these firepits are very easy to move if the one that you purchase is, in fact, a mobile firepit. Instead of struggling to move the firepit around for special occasions, cast aluminum firepits make this possibility very likely.

When choosing the type of fire pit that you want for your outdoor patio, there are many features that you can look at. If you are having a tough time deciding, remember the three “L’s” and see where that leads you! We would love to hear if you have any personal experiences with cast aluminum fire pits. Let us know by commenting below, or interacting with us via Facebook or Twitter!

                                         Aluminum vs. Wicker Patio Furniture

There are many types of patio furniture available to choose from when shopping for a luxury patio set. The two most popular choices for patio furniture are aluminum and wicker. Both of these materials are fairly easy to take care of and are much lighter in weight then wrought iron for example. So which one should you choose, aluminum vs. wicker patio furniture? Below you will find a quick overview of the pros and cons to both aluminum and wicker patio furniture.

Aluminum Patio Furniture

There are two common types of aluminum outdoor furniture. Aluminum and cast aluminum. Your standard aluminum patio furniture is usually cheap and is most commonly found in big box stores such as Target, Home depot and Target.

Cheap aluminum furniture is composed of hollow tubular pieces that are assembled together and welded to create the frame. These hollow tubs make aluminum furniture extremely light weight and easy to store. These types of patio furniture are the go-to for families who need patio furniture that can be easily stored and aren’t looking for something that lasts many years.

Cast aluminum furniture is created from a specially designed mold that is filled with molten aluminum. Not only does this process make cast aluminum much heavier then your hallow tube aluminum furniture, but more durable as well. Cast aluminum furniture often has intricate designs and will last much longer.

How do you clean aluminum furniture? It’s surprisingly easy, click the link to learn more.

Wicker Patio Furniture 

Modern wicker patio furniture is no longer made from natural materials because it is not resilient enough to last over time. When made with natural materials, wicker furniture dries out, cracks and unravels. In order to fix this problem, most wicker is now made with resin wicker. Resin wicker is made out of polyethylene, a plastic that is strong enough to last harsh sunlight and other weather conditions.

Resin wicker is extremely comfortable because of its elastic but sturdy properties. Furthermore, resin wicker is very easy to clean and maintain. First, use your vacuum attachment to remove dust and debris. Second, gently wipe down your set with a rag and a mixture of mild soap and water and rinse with your garden hose.

When it comes to outdoor patio furniture brands there are many great and trusted manufactures to choose from. All of the brands we carry here at All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings are ones that we trust and know produce only the highest quality patio furniture collections. Some of those brands include: Summer Classics, Parker James and Tommy Bahama.

Summer Classics

Summer Classics has always been an industry favorite and has helped shape the luxury patio industry that we know today. Founded in 1978, Summer Classics started out as a plastic umbrella base manufacturer and today produces a wide variety of accessories and patio furniture sets including resin wicker, cast aluminum, wrought aluminum, teak and wrought iron.

Parker James

Parker James prides themselves on manufacturing amazing and unique, casual patio furniture designs. Founded in 2002, they are known for combining the best materials and finishes to provide long lasting furniture. Parker James pulls inspiration for their patio furniture designs from many different parts of the world and they are constantly updating their collections to ensure a wide range of diversity.

Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama is our newest manufacturer that we carry here at All American. You may be familiar with the Tommy Bahama brand already as they are best known as a high-end retailer. In 1995 Tommy Bahama opened their first stand alone, retail shop in Naples Florida and the rest was history! Tommy Bahama now sells a large variety of items including apparel, beach gear, and of course, patio furniture!

Aluminum is a low maintenance metal; it does not rust and requires minimal up-keep when exposed to the elements. This makes aluminum the perfect material for outdoor furniture. Depending on your climate aluminum furniture, on average, only requires a quick cleaning every couple months. Extreme climates may require monthly attention. Here is a quick guide on how to clean your aluminum outdoor furniture.

Calcium build-up on aluminum furniture

Although aluminum does not rust, it is known to build up calcium. If you notice a large build-up, do not use an abrasive material to try and remove the calcium. This will strip away any finish it may have. Instead, try using 1 part white distilled vinegar and 9 parts water. Use this solution along with a rag.

How to clean Aluminum Furniture

All you will need is some mild soap, water and sponge or rag. Wipe down your furniture making sure you as much dirt and dust you can. We have found that using warm water works best. If you have access to a hose, give your aluminum furniture a good raise and dry well.

*Note* Using hard chemical cleaners such as bleach can damage any kind of paint or finish to your aluminum.

To learn more about how to clean different patio furniture materials click here.

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.

Shopping for an outdoor patio set with an umbrella can be a pain. There many different styles and fabric choices to choose from. It doesn’t end there either, after you decide what collection you like best, now you must decide which style umbrella you would like along with any other patio décor you feel necessary.  So for this week’s blog post, we are going to showcase some of our favorite collections along with our favorite styles of patio umbrellas to help you narrow your choice down.

Patio Sets

The Calais Collection by Parker James

The Calais Collection by Parker James is one of our favorite collections because if its unique wicker weave. This collection features head-woven, UV-resistant resin strands that are woven into four-inch squares giving this collection its unique wicker design.  This collection group set comes with the following pieces:

• 1 Sofa
• 1 Club Chair
• 1 Motion Club Chair
• 1 Loveseat

Bonus Feature: With this wicker weave fashioned over a rust-free aluminum frame, this collection is fairly light weight and easy to re-arrange.

The Sedona Collection by Summer Classics

The Sedona Collection not only is one of our favorite patio sets, but is one of our best sellers as well. This wicker set is a reinterpretation of a wicker set you would see in the 1960’s, just much more durable! This wicker weave features a classic braided edge made from N-dura resin wicker.

Bonus Feature: This collection is hand-woven, producing great detail within its design.

Patio Umbrellas

The Cantilever Umbrella

The Cantilever umbrella is our number one choice when it comes to recommending patio umbrellas. The Cantilever umbrella was designed to utilize all of a shaded area by removing the center pole and placing it to its side. This allows for a much larger area to be used for patio chairs, and tables! Learn more about the different types of umbrellas here.

You might be surprised to learn that all weather wicker and resin wicker are one in the same. You may also be surprised to learn that while resin wicker looks like “natural wicker” it is in fact made from a synthetic material. Even more surprising yet, unknown to much of the population, wicker does not refer to the material used but rather the weaving itself. So, what other surprises does wicker hold? Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about wicker.

Where does the word “wicker” stem from?

The word wicker comes from a Scandinavian word “Wika” meaning “to bend”.

What was wicker originally made out of?

Wicker was originally made out of natural materials such as fibers and rattan. Rattan is known for its elastic tendencies and comes from a vine-like tree called Rotan. Because of its elasticity, rattan is the most popular material found in old wicker baskets, hampers and chairs.

Why is natural wicker uncommon today?

Real wicker is not as resilient as polyethylene, the plastic that is most commonly used to make resin wicker. While polyethylene is extremely durable and requires little maintenance, natural wicker becomes dry and brittle overtime. Natural wicker would not survive long term in harsh weather such as rain and direct sunlight. Natural wicker can still be found today but only for indoor purposes.

How weather resistant is resin wicker?

Resin wicker is extremely weather resistant and can handle all types of harsh elements. Polyethylene fibers are not only resistant against the suns harsh UV rays but also humidity and water as well. Worried about fading color? The color is added during production and actually becomes a part of the fiber. Worrying about chipped or faded paint will not be an issue.

Is resin wicker as comfortable as wicker made from natural materials?

Resin wicker is just as comfortable, if not more, as wicker made from natural materials. As mentioned before, it is very elastic and sturdy. It is this combination that gives all weather wicker patio furniture its reputation. 

 Is resin wicker hard to clean? 

No, resin wicker is one of the easiest patio furniture materials to clean! For more information on how to clean different types of patio furniture, click here.