While our metal furniture is beautiful, durable, and sturdy, there is no such thing as “care free” outdoor furniture. Therefore, it is important that you protect your investment once your new furniture is delivered and installed.
Most of our products are produced with wrought iron, but can also be made with aluminum. Below, please find information about the advantages and disadvantages of these materials along with care and maintenance instructions.
Wrought Iron
The primary advantages of wrought iron furniture are cost and durability. Wrought iron furniture is generally less costly and stronger than aluminum furniture. Wrought iron furniture is much less vulnerable to bending and denting than aluminum furniture. It is also heavier than aluminum and does not blow around as easily as aluminum furniture in areas that are prone to high winds. It does however rust.
For maximum protection, we recommend that you cover your furniture when it rains or is not in use for extended periods of time. Otherwise, make sure to clean off dirt and debris after heavy rains and dry out the furniture thoroughly. We also recommend waxing your furniture at the end of the season and before storage. A couple of times during the summer is a good precaution as well.
A mild detergent and water can be used to clean painted metal furniture. Be sure to check all joints and seams for dirt. You can clean out these spaces with a soft brush, water, and soap. Dirt can cause the paint to deteriorate and expose the metal to rusting. Make sure the furniture dries completely after you clean it, especially before storing. This will help to prevent rust damage.
When handling or moving wrought iron furniture, avoid scratching the paint or hitting painted metal furniture against hard surfaces. This can chip the paint which will eventually create problems with rust. In the winter, we recommend that you store your metal furniture indoors. Wrought iron furniture should always be inspected for damage when you take it out of storage. Remember that rusted metal furniture can stain surfaces such as wooden decks, concrete slab, tile or stone work.
Regular attention is required to prevent rust, especially at welded joints. If paint is peeling or reddish rust stains appear, sand problem area down to bare metal. prime, and then coat with touch up paint. Once the paint is dry, you can finish the touch up with a coat of wax. Please call us if you need to order touch up paint. For furniture with designs that are complex or ornate, you can use a pressure wash to clean the furniture and a spray wax once it’s clean and dry.
Aluminum
The primary advantage of aluminum furniture is that it does not rust. Aluminum furniture is also lighter than wrought iron or stainless steel furniture. However, aluminum furniture is typically more expensive than wrought iron furniture. The primary disadvantage is that aluminum is softer than wrought iron or stainless steel and aluminum furniture is, therefore, more vulnerable to dents or bending than wrought iron furniture if not handled properly.
For maximum protection, we recommend that you cover your furniture when not in use. Otherwise, make sure to clean off dirt and debris after heavy rains. We also recommend waxing your furniture at the end of the season and before storage. A couple times during the summer is a good idea as well. In the winter, we recommend that you store your metal furniture indoors.
A mild detergent and water can be used to clean painted metal furniture. Be sure to check all joints and seams for dirt. You can clean out these spaces with a soft brush, water, and soap. Dirt can can cause the paint to deteriorate. While aluminum furniture will not rust, the paint can eventually flake or peel off if it is not properly maintained and cared for. For furniture with designs that are complex or ornate, you can use a pressure wash to clean the furniture and a spray wax once its clean and dry. Please call for current pricing on aluminum furniture.