Metal patio dining sets have plenty of benefits if you place them on your patio. However, like any other furniture material, metal also has some cons besides the numerous pros that it comes with. In this article, you will learn why and how you should place your metal patio dining set outdoors.
Pros and cons of metal patio dining set
Pros of metal patio dining set
Durability
Metal is one of the most durable materials for patio furniture. One major advantage it has over wood is that it never chips away. You won’t have to worry about fixing the wear and tear every now and then. The metal will stand firm for years to come.
Safe
Metal is also a safe material to keep at your home. It doesn’t catch fire as easily as other materials, so you don’t need to worry about your furniture scathing if fire breakouts or accidents occur. The safety of the metal provides both relief and satisfaction to your mind while keeping your furniture at low damage risk.
Environment Friendly
Metal can easily be recycled, and obtaining the metal doesn’t involve cutting massive trees. This makes it an environment-friendly option for those who don’t want to contribute to the increasing pollution in the air. Moreover, metal furniture construction doesn’t involve excessive use of chemicals, which is another reason why you should consider it for your home.
Low maintenance
The best part about metal outdoor dining tables and chairs is its low maintenance. Metal outdoor furniture is quite simple to clean, as a simple wipe of a clean cloth would make it as good as new. However, one thing you need to protect your furniture from is the wet weather. Rust is something that can seriously damage your metal. For rust protection, keep reading this article, as we have some amazing tips for metal maintenance at the end.
Pest resistant
Pest resistance is another major advantage of getting a metal patio dining set. Unlike wood, metal doesn’t attract any pests from the outside and keeps itself as good as new. However, even if you need to clean it off after a long time, all you need to do is put in some soap and remove all the chemicals.
Space smart
Metal patio dining table and chair has a variety of sizes available in the market, and its size allows you to find a perfect fit for your patio space.
Affordability
Affordability is one of the major reasons why you need to get a metal patio dining set. Due to its high durability and low cost, metal furniture is ideal for people working on low budgets. However, not all types of metals are affordable. For instance, aluminum is much more expensive than steel or iron, mainly due to its softness.
Cons of metal patio dining set
Heavyweight
The first major drawback of metal furniture is its heavy weight. The more the weight of the furniture, the more difficult it is to carry and move around. For the ones who move from one place to another from time to time, metal furniture can be stressful. However, you can choose a softer and lightweight metal such as aluminum to solve this issue. For your information, iron is the heaviest whereas aluminum is the lightest metal in the market for modern patio furniture.
Heat absorbent
Another disadvantage of having a metal patio dining chair and table is that it is heat absorbent, so if you place it in an open sun, the metal will get extremely hot. It can get so hot that even touching it would burn your skin. The best way to tackle this is to attach an umbrella to your dining table. The shade of the umbrella will keep the metal cool and usable.
Not ideal against soft floors
Metal can be harmful to wooden floors and other soft floors in the market. The sharp points in your furniture can cause scratches to appear on the floor. The only way you can avoid this is by checking the leg design on your chairs and dining table. Make sure that it’s not sharp enough to produce the scratch.
Material diversity
The material diversity in metal furniture is second to none. Some of the most common materials used for the construction of furniture include aluminum, copper, wrought iron, steel, cast iron, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and chromium. The wide variety of materials allows you to choose the material ideal for your weather and environmental conditions.
However, some materials work better than others for specific conditions. For instance, the patio needs the most protection against harsh weather conditions. For this kind of condition, aluminum is the best choice as it provides the most resistance against weather and doesn’t rust as quickly as steel or wrought iron.
Styling versatility
Styling versatility in metals is second to none, as they can form any shape or form when melted at high temperatures during the manufacturing process. This allows designers to design innovative models for the furniture and provide modern curves and patterns, ideal for people searching for something unique.
Maintenance Tips
For different metals, there is a different caring practice that you need to follow. Here are some of the metal types with their caring tips
Chrome
Chrome can corrode quicker than other types of metal, so leaving it dirty for longer periods would reduce its life. You should clean the chrome metal with a clean, soft cloth and avoid using abrasive chrome polishes or glass cleaners. Use of any other kind of harsh chemical to clean is also not recommended.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel requires daily cleaning with warm water and a soft cloth. Make sure to wipe it in the direction of the polish lines to avoid spots. Use a mild detergent if spots on the furniture are more stubborn than usual. Clean the detergent with warm water and dry it with a soft microfiber cloth.
Other metal types
Any other kind of metal can be treated with a soft, dampened cloth. Afterward, make sure to use dry wipes to avoid any water spots.
