Metal and wood garden furniture both have the potential to last for decades. When it comes to designing a garden hardscaping for long-term usage, there are a number of reasons other than just longevity to consider your material selection carefully.
How Does Metal Garden Furniture Age?
Aluminium garden furniture is an ideal material for long-term use. It won’t change or corrode every season. It can look just as good years later. Cheaper aluminium can be very lightweight and can be easily moved by the wind.
Wrought iron and steel can have a really appealing, heavy nature and will not corrode readily either, however, they also need a protective coating to avoid rust and will age in a weathered state.
Powder-coated steel is better than uncoated steel, but a low quality powder coat can deteriorate quickly.
The great thing about metal furniture is that even when it is heavily weathered, it is still functional. Aluminium furniture is the best option, while iron and steel can benefit from a little upkeep.
The Aging of Wooden Furniture
Some hardwoods really stand the test of time, lasting decades in outdoor settings. Teak has protective oils that help stave off the rot and bugs, but also turns silver-grey when left untreated. The structural integrity stays intact during this time. Some people like this aged appearance, but other people keep the golden color by applying oils.
Softwoods like pine and cedar can be quite a bit of work if you plan to have them in an untreated state. They are quite a bit more affordable, but can rot relatively quickly. If treated and maintained, softwoods can last about 10 to 15 years. If you fail to treat them for a year or two, they can start to become an issue.
There are some obvious weak points that are commonly exposed, like joints and places where water is prone to collect. Sealing exposed ends is a good way to combat the end grain soaking up moisture. Joints disappointingly work loose with seasonal wood movement, but are generally fixable.
As time goes on and wood dries out, it is common for wood to develop a split and cracks. The bulk of it is cosmetic, but large cracks certainly will affect structural integrity.
How Often Maintenance is Required
Aluminum can develop a patina over time, but is quite low maintenance and only requires an occasional wash with some soapy water. Steel and iron are in need of inspection for rust on a yearly basis, and require yearly maintenance of bare metal and touchups of paint if needed.
Wood is the most high maintenance material of the three. Most wood will age more gracefully by applying annual oils and protection, though this can be skipped if you’re fine with the silvered teak. Hardwood can miss years and still be fine, but that is not the case for softwood. Joints need an annual inspection and may need to be retightened to maintain structural integrity.
Neither wood nor metal prefer a perpetual dampness. Metal is better suited, but aluminum has the potential to corrode, and the joints can loosen if water penetrates and then freezes. Wood has a water draining and absorption issue. The worst state for wood is standing water.
Weather Resistance
Aluminum, and metal in general, is good with the British weather. Rain won’t bother aluminum, and steel can even handle the rain if the coating is intact. The biggest trouble is the coast and the salt which causes faster corrosion, and of course the unpredictable change in temperature.
Wood furniture in the UK is in a constant state of stress due to the changing weather, and it is constantly swelling and shrinking. This is particularly hard on the joints. Softwood is particularly bad. Hardwood is better. Teak is particularly good and can even be rained on, but it is still best if it can dry out between rain.
Heat can make wood dry and crack, and even cause metal furniture to be uncomfortable to sit on, but the British cold is not a problem. Wood can also split when water and ice freeze in the joints.
Real-World Lifespan
Good aluminum can last a lifetime. It is not unusual to not have to replace it after 20, 30, even 40 years. You may need to replace the cushions, or tighten some screws, but the furniture itself can last a lifetime.
Quality Steel and Iron can be just as good, and the 1950s vintage wrought iron furniture sets are a good example, though they have been painted many times. If left to the elements, steel can last a miserable 15 years before the corrosion takes it completely.
Texture can last a good 25 to 30 years, and Hardwood can be around 15-20 with a good deal of care. Softwood can last 10 to 15 years if treated regularly.
The estimates for the longevity of outdoor furniture are with the assumption that furniture remains outdoors all year round. It is reasonable to expect the longevity of furniture to increase when brought indoors during winter.
## Cost Over Time
Aluminim is typically cheaper than wood and costs less in the long run due to low maintaince. The only recurring costs are dealing with rust and eventually replacing the cushions. The initial and recurring costs of good quality wooden furniture are higher, however it maintains its value. An example is good quality teak furniture can be worth quite a lot after many years of use and the only real cost is the time it takes to maintain the furniture in the forms of oiling it and doing repairs to the structure.
Both wooden and metal cheap furniture are false economies. Poor quality metal furniture does not hold its shape due to corrosion and poor quality wooden furniture does not hold its shape due to a lack of good quality wood and poor quality wood treatment. Quality wood and metal furniture do not corrode and keep their shape.
## Comfort Differences
The temperature of metal furniture and wooden furniture can vary greatly with the temperature of the environment. Wooden furniture also has the added benefit of being more comfortable during the various temperature changes. However, metal furniture can be easier to move about. In the end, wood furniture has the advantage of being stable during windy conditions.
Metal furniture almost always requires cushioning, wood furniture sometimes does.
## How They Look Over Time
Like wood furniture, metal furniture maintains its appearance over time. However, there are varying opinions about the appearance of patina and rust of metal furniture.
Teak darkens from honey-golden to silver-grey. Other woods change color. Some darken, some lighten. Some woods develop a patina. Wood achieves this best. Wood is best if you prefer furniture that tells a story. Metal achieves this better if you prefer things that look consistently new.
Making the Decision
Metal is best when you want something that requires little to no maintenance. It’s even better for coastal areas. Good quality metal, especially aluminum, holds up better against salt water.
Wooden furniture is best for you if you prefer natural materials, don’t mind maintenance, and appreciate developing character. It works best if your garden is traditional.
The longevity of both metal and wooden furniture is equal. The important question is which furniture will last longer in your hands, considering the maintenance you do.
Powder-coated steel is a good compromise between both worlds. It is more persistent than aluminum and softwoods while being more substantial than aluminum and softwoods while not requiring consistent maintenance.
The furniture that lasts the longest is the one you choose best for your situation and look after appropriately. Both metals and wood can outlast cheaper alternatives by decades.
