Purchase porch furniture that reflects your personal taste and preferences, but also consider how you’ll use your outdoor spaces – will they host parties or simply be relaxing spaces for family?
Climate is also an important factor when making selections. If your area receives plenty of sunshine, choose furniture constructed from materials which offer UV protection against its harsh rays.
Wrought-iron
Wrought iron porch furniture can transform your outdoor living area into an elegant retreat for relaxation and entertainment. Its classic design is timeless yet versatile, easily fitting in with various other styles. Durability comes into play too – its robust material stands up well against rain and sun as well as being created by talented artisans willing to stand by their workmanship with often seven or 20 year warranties available on quality pieces.
Wrought iron furniture stands out from cast iron’s difficult fabrication by being much easier to form into attractive furniture designs and is less susceptible to rusting. Because of these advantages, wrought iron has long been considered an ideal material for patio tables and chairs alike – not to mention many other pieces available to purchase in this type of material.
Wrought iron umbrella frames provide protection from the sun while adding an aesthetic element to patio furniture, while cabanas and pavilions constructed of this metal also exist as shade solutions.
Wrought iron furniture is an ideal material choice for windy areas due to its sturdy yet heavy structure, which prevents lighter patio sets from blowing over or being dislodged during a storm, while remaining sturdy enough not to bend or warp as easily. Plush cushions add extra comfort without taking away from its substantial feel.
Tubular aluminum
Aluminum furniture is an excellent option to withstand Mother Nature, being lightweight and rustproof. Furthermore, its color palette includes many styles – you won’t have to do much other than spray it down occasionally with mild soap for maintenance!
Keep these considerations in mind when shopping for aluminum patio furniture:
Lower-end pieces made of hollow tubes welded together may be cheaper than other forms of outdoor furniture but lack decorative details, creating more of a utilitarian appearance. Furthermore, aluminum pieces may become airborne during high winds and be dispersed around your yard or area.
Higher-end aluminum outdoor furniture is typically constructed from cast aluminum, making it more sturdily expensive but also traditional in style. This style offers many color and style choices and could be ideal for beachside locations if the wind doesn’t blow too strongly.
When purchasing metal patio furniture, be sure to search for smooth welds and rustproof hardware. Also take note of its weight; if you plan to rearrange your furniture regularly it could prove too heavy for comfort. Also, ensure it features powder coating for optimal durability against harsh weather conditions; keep aluminum pieces covered when not being used, and store indoors during winter to prevent rusting. Should any scratches appear in its powder coating they can easily be covered up using touch up paint if necessary.
Resin wicker
Resin wicker furniture is an economical and long-term choice for decorating porches, as it stands up to all sorts of elements. Clean it easily using garden hose water or wiping with damp cloth. Plus, with multiple colors to choose from, finding something just right will never be a struggle!
Resin wicker furniture is much more resilient than its natural counterpart, resisting sun fading and mold growth; plus it stands up well to small children and pets. Should mildew stain appear on your resin wicker furniture, mildew remover products such as Goo-Gone can help remove it easily.
Ohana, Braxton Culler and Beachcraft all offer high quality resin wicker furniture sets at competitive prices, featuring sofas, chairs that swivel or recline, tables and cushions that zip open for quick cleaning – you’ll even have plenty of color choices like Dove Gray flat wicker frames with Dark Roast or Southwest Amber frame finishes to choose from!
Resin wicker furniture offers many advantages, one being its lightweight design that allows it to be easily moved around and stored away compared to heavier wrought iron or tubular aluminum furniture. As such, resin wicker pieces make a good option for homes with limited storage space as well as those looking for something modern in design style.
Teak
Teak furniture is an elegant choice for outdoor spaces. Constructed of durable wood that resists decay and water damage, teak requires annual care and treatment to preserve its look while preventing dust accumulation and mildew growth.
Before purchasing teak porch furniture, take into account its shape, style, and modularity. Modular pieces may make future changes easier while choosing neutral cushion fabric colors will allow for easy matching with other decor pieces in the future. Incorporating round cushions will soften the overall aesthetic.
If you want your teak furniture to maintain its natural honey hue, consider treating it with Messmer’s Teak Protector and Sealer. This product contains UV protection to guard against sun-induced graying as well as mildewcide that helps stop mold growth.
High-grade Grade A teak is naturally weatherproof, lasting decades when maintained correctly. Its oil content makes it resistant to water, bacteria, pests, and moisture rot or decay due to moisture; and due to being dense it will not rot or decay with humidity exposure. Real Grade A teak will have a distinctive smell upon touch as well as feeling heavy and smooth to the touch; to test authenticity dribble water on it to see whether real or fake teak repelled immediately by surface tension while fakes absorb it immediately by its pores instead.
When purchasing teak outdoor furniture from the rainforest, look for pieces made with quality mortise-and-tenon joinery and superb attention to detail. These ethically harvested pieces have been legally harvested from legally managed forests with sustainable management systems and ethical harvest practices in mind.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus wood is an eco-friendly material that makes for beautiful porch furniture. Unlike teak, this material naturally resists water and decay as well as insects and fungus infestation – this makes it the perfect material for use outdoors in extreme weather conditions like scorching sun, bitter cold wind or torrential rainfall. Furthermore, this versatile material allows designers to incorporate it into various designs for use outdoors.
Eucalyptus furniture comes in an assortment of finishes to meet any back porch design style imaginable, making it easy to find something suitable. Go light wood for a coastal cottage aesthetic or go traditional with darker finishes for more traditional decor. Either way, adding a eucalyptus sofa will elevate the design and impress guests; look for sets including lounge chair and coffee table to complete the look – you may even get one that’s reversible so you can change up its appearance as needed!
At any outdoor dining party or backyard barbeque, eucalyptus dining chairs create an inviting and stylish ambience. Perfect for entertaining, these pieces come in various sizes; some feature modern curved designs while others boast classic silhouettes with slatted seats. Plus, these colorful pieces make decorating easier!
Eucalyptus furniture sets are also a popular choice for patio sets as it provides an affordable alternative to teak, with similar aesthetics and durability without its higher cost tag. Both acacia and eucalyptus trees are harvested sustainably, so choosing this material for outdoor furniture will have minimal environmental impact. Like teak wood, Eucalyptus wood will develop an exquisite patina over time depending on its treatment; its hue may darken or lighten according to how often or infrequently treated differently compared with teak.