|
...continued
Much of
the iron furniture available today is
wrought iron, rather than
cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid
metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted,
together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.
Iron
furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean
it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth
surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and
moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by
lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats
of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you're
using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.
Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that
never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from
hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not
exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used
around a pool area.
Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.
Whether
you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few
items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be
welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are
used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or
stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame
does not.
Best
quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final
color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process
in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.
If you're
buying aluminum furniture with
vinyl webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew
inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum
frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee durability.
Suntan
oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the
powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your aluminum
furniture twice a month with a solution of mild dish detergent and warm water.
Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.
Steel, a
hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various small percentages of metallic
elements. The alloys produce hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized
steel has been plated with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium
and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion.
Before
the production of aluminum furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture
was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured in the later half
of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel until the Second World War
when the heavy military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular
(hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be found at
flea markets.
If you're
looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the product is either stainless or
powder-coated and that any hardware used is also rust-resistant.
Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs can be a wonderful
addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy!
Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and
operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor
living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide "Attracting
Butterflies to Your Home and Garden" is now available on her web site. Visit her
at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create
privacy in your outdoor space". Mail to
debbie@paradiseporch.com
This article courtesy of http://www.teak-wood-furniture.org.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.
|