Aluminum Patio Furniture

Aluminum patio furniture encompasses many types of outdoor furniture constructed from aluminum including wrought aluminum, tubular aluminum and cast aluminum patio furniture. Aluminum is a member of the boron group of chemical elements and is the most abundant metal found in the Earth's crust. But do not let this status fool you: while aluminum makes up 8% of the Earth's solid surface weight, it naturally combines with hundreds of various minerals, and is rarely found standing alone in an elemental state. It was refined into lump form in the 1800s and quickly caught on with various manufacturers, being used in everything from statues to machine parts. Aluminum offers a low density and enhanced ability to retard corrosion, making it lightweight and durable when compared to other metals. Modern aluminum patio furniture is powder-coated, typically with a baked-on application, to further enhance the durability and strength for outdoor use in the elements.

Why Buy Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture?

1. Cast aluminum furniture is nearly indestructible. - Short of dropping it out a window, cast aluminum was built to last.
2. Cast aluminum furniture is timeless. - Many styles are derived from traditional furniture & architectural elements, and give any deck an old world grace.
3. Cast aluminum furniture is versatile. - It can be updated with a throw pillow or change of cushions to reflect your style.
4. Cast aluminum furniture is a great deal. - Dollar for dollar, cast aluminum is an incredible bargain.

1. Aluminum is durable & easy to own. Aluminum can be placed outside in the elements & is virtually maintenance & rust free.
2. Aluminum is adaptable. Aluminum patio furniture easily fits into many different decors & mixes well with different styles.
3. Aluminum requires no special storage. Leave tubular & wrought aluminum furniture outside exposed to wind, rain, sleet or snow. It's built to last.
4. Aluminum is a great buy. Economic & affordable, aluminum is great for both the budget minded & the resort minded.

The History of Aluminum, Metal Casting & Cast Aluminum

Being the most abundant metal found in the Earth's crust, aluminum has been known since ancient times; members of Greek and Roman societies dressed wounds with aluminum salts, which helped seal injured blood vessels.

British inventor and chemist Sir Humphrey Davy (pictured right) indicated the existence of the metal in 1808, coining the term aluminum. But it took a Danish chemist named Hans Christian Orsted to first produce the metal in 1825, which was isolated by Danish chemist Friedrich Wohler further in the 1820s.

During the next fifty years aluminum was further studied, yet proved difficult to extract from ores. Charles Martin Hall and Paul Heroult developed the first successful process for producing pure aluminum in the 1880s; before this process was developed pure aluminum was considered a precious metal more valuable than gold.

Both Hall and Heroult developed their processes independently. Each used an electrolytic method to extract aluminum from minerals; both are still used today by the aluminum industry to extract pure aluminum from the Earth. Hunt's process was initially used by the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, now known as Alcoa, while Heroult's process was utilized by the Swiss at Aluminum Industrie, now known as Alcan. By the 1890s aluminum was widely used for everything from statues to patio furniture, and offered many types, including cast aluminum, wrought aluminum and tubular aluminum.

The precise date for these advancements is still hotly debated by historians, but many indicate the casting process originated in the Middle East or India, roughly around 3,000 B.C.E. The Chinese became the real masters of casting iron, perfecting this craft 2,000 years before the Europeans. Perhaps not coincidentally, most of the cast aluminum you find in the marketplace today has been imported from China.

“Casting” is a process by which a material is heated and introduced into a mold while still in a liquid form. Once the material has cooled, it will solidify inside the mold, at which time the mold is removed, producing a fabricated object. The oldest found object produced from the casting process is a copper frog from 3,200 B.C.E.

The introduction of aluminum to the casting process in the 1800s has resulted in the capability to make economical, beautiful and easily maintained cast aluminum furniture which has become the favorite of today’s consumer. Casting aluminum also allows for the ability to create artistically pleasing and intricate designs that are impossible in other metal mediums, such as wrought metal.

What to look for when shopping for cast aluminum furniture:

1. Fully-welded cast will be the sturdiest; if you are considering pieces that have been assembled, make sure they are solidly built and the hardware doesn’t detract from the design.
2. Cast aluminum should have a powder-coated finish; a baked-on powder coat is typical and will ensure a long life if the furniture is used outdoors.
3. A competitive warranty. There are all grades of cast aluminum furniture available, from the cheapest to the most expensive. The length of warranty offered is a good indicator of the quality of furniture you are considering.

Some good choices when shopping for cast aluminum furniture: Summer Classics, Alfresco Home & Cast Classic, while Hanamint & Gensun offer extended warranties (10 & 15-year warranties on the aluminum frames).

Summer Classics | Alfresco Home | Cast Classic | Hanamint | Gensun

Traditional Aluminum Patio Furniture & Sling Seating

Ubiquitous and readily available, traditional aluminum is the furniture that most easily comes to mind when one hears the words “patio furniture”. Aluminum is an ideal material for outdoor furniture, offering many advantages. Aluminum is strong, yet lightweight; a 7 lb. chair can conceivably support a 300 lb. man! Aluminum will not rust and requires minimal maintenance.

Tubular aluminum furniture can be rolled or extruded. Rolled aluminum is the least desirable of these options because the resulting tube is seamed and compromised. Extruding aluminum results in a seamless, stronger tube which produces a stronger frame.

Tubular aluminum furniture can include cushions or sling seats. The advent of the sling resulted in an entirely new level of uncomplicated, no maintenance outdoor patio furniture, which is one of the reasons sling seating with aluminum frames has been so popular. A sling seat grants a comfortable sit without having to worry about the weather, since it will dry quickly.

Wrought & Tubular Aluminum Care, Cleaning & Tips

CLEANING: Wash or spray with clear water or mild soap and water to routinely remove dust, chemicals, pollen, salt, dirt, etc. Do not utilize any abrasive cleaners or power washers.

Scratches and chips can be touched up. Contact your patio furniture retailer for paint made specifically for your brand of furniture. Hold the can 10 inches away from area to be treated and spray with several thin coats, allowing enough time between coats for the paint to dry.

Tubular Aluminum furniture should be covered in the winter or stored in a shed or garage to protect it from harsh elements. Just like putting your car in the garage, a little extra care will allow your furniture to last longer.

CARE: If you live in a climate with freezing conditions, do not store any product upside down. Water can gather in the frames, freeze and cause the frame to burst.

TIP: Maintain or restore the luster of the powder-coated finish of your aluminum furniture by applying a coat of clear liquid car wax once a season.

Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture Care, Cleaning & Tips

CLEANING: Wash or spray with clear water or mild soap and water to routinely remove dust, chemicals, pollen, salt, dirt, etc. Do not utilize any abrasive cleaners or power washers.

Scratches and chips can be touched up. Contact your patio furniture retailer for paint made specifically for your brand of furniture. Hold the can 10 inches away from area to be treated and spray with several thin coats, allowing enough time between coats for the paint to dry.

CARE: Cast aluminum furniture should be covered in the winter (pictured right is the High-Back Chair Cover from Treasure Garden) or stored in a shed or garage to protect it from harsh elements. Just like putting your car in the garage, a little extra care will allow your cast furniture to look beautiful longer.

If you live in a climate with freezing conditions, do not store any product upside down. Water can gather in the frames, freeze and cause the frame to burst. Drain any water accumulated inside the frames by removing adjuster glides or foot caps from the bottom of legs.

TIP: Maintain or restore the luster of the powder-coated finish of your cast aluminum furniture by applying a coat of clear liquid car wax once a season.