Buying your new outdoor furniture? Check out what the best material is for you!
We often look for price, comfort, durability, and style when buying furniture pieces for our HDB or BTO flats. For indoor furniture, the pieces must create a welcoming space for families and guests. Garden tables and chairs, as well as other outdoor furniture, must not only make our areas more welcoming. They also need to endure the changes in the weather and other factors that we cannot control outside our homes. This is why it's crucial to carefully consider outdoor furniture materials because every aspect makes a difference.
Although there is no ideal furniture material that can withstand all wear and tear conditions, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each material based on your outdoor furniture requirements. Check out this quick guide to knowing the ideal materials for your outdoor chairs, tables, benches, and other patio or balcony furniture.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Furniture Materials
When compared to indoor furniture, outdoor furniture has higher durability requirements. An outdoor furniture unit needs to stay in its best condition as much as possible, even during weather changes and other unexpected outdoor conditions. Although you want your indoor furniture to be lightweight and ideal for saving space, you need heavier and sturdier materials for your outdoor furniture to withstand heavy winds or extreme weather fluctuations.
Damage from rain and humidity
Outdoor furniture materials are engineered to resist water and moisture. If you're in a place where there's frequent rain and extreme humidity that brings moisture to your outdoor furniture, you must ensure that your materials withstand changing conditions and water retention.
Damage from rust
Rusting is another result of moisture and oxygen. When buying your outdoor furniture, you should be mindful of the possibility of your furniture accumulating rust. The material most prone to rust and corrosion is metal.
Mould and rotting
Where there is moisture and humidity, there are fungi, which are very unsightly when turned into moulds and are harmful to the health as they cause irritation and allergies. Natural materials like wood, when retaining moisture, are prone to mould and decay.
Colour fading
When exposed to sunlight, some outdoor furniture materials lose their vibrancy. This also results in your furniture piece losing its lustre after constant exposure to sunlight. Materials like plastic and outdoor fabric are more susceptible to discoloration.
Warping or cracking
When exposed to rain and sunlight, your outdoor furniture may lose its original shape or expand and crack due to drastic weather changes. The constant exposure to rain and sunlight also affects the grip of the hardware that holds the furniture together. Materials prone to warping or getting cracks are plastic, concrete, and wood.
What are the Suitable Materials for Your Outdoor Furniture?
Outdoor furniture materials have pros and cons depending on your requirements, so it is important to know your typical weather conditions to ensure the longevity of your outdoor furniture.
Wood
Wood presents its natural charm for both indoor and outdoor furniture design. Hardwoods, especially teak wood, are commended for their notable durability that can survive several weather changes. If you are willing to spend a little bit more on high-quality outdoor furniture, teak wood is a great option. This exquisite material provides visual warmth and comfort, while its water-resistant properties and natural oil properties make it strong enough to avoid warping, cracking, and decay. When exposed to moisture and humidity, teak wood does not expand and does not attract insects. For softwood materials, it is necessary to take extra care to prolong their quality. Other excellent wood choices are white oak and eucalyptus.
Upgrading your living room? Read: 25 Living Room Furniture Collections for a Stunning HDB Flat
Metal
For a more affordable furniture solution, metal is a good material because of its style, flexibility, and durability. Metal furniture pieces welcome various designs and configurations that are perfect for any design theme. Compared to wood, metal absorbs heat easier and retains it for longer, making it hot when seated under the sun. Metal is also prone to rust and corrosion. It's a good thing that innovations make the metal less susceptible to rust. Modern metal furniture pieces are now powder-coated to preserve their beauty and quality.
Wicker
Furniture units made with natural wicker are effortlessly warm and charming. The hand-made detailing adds a distinct appeal to any theme. However, wicker is not a resilient material that can be used outdoors. Good thing there is a synthetic option that is more resistant to weather changes and bears the charm of wicker. Polyethylene resin is used to mimic the distinct beauty of wicker while providing a durable and lightweight furniture solution outdoors.
Plastic
Looking for water-resistant outdoor furniture? Plastic furniture might be the right choice to elevate your outdoor design. Plastic furniture units are lightweight and versatile. They come in different designs, sizes, and colours. Plastic furniture pieces, such as stackable chairs for your patio, are comfortable due to their pressure and heat resistance.
Manufacture Fabric
Natural fabric might not be the best choice for your outdoor design, but if you want to incorporate the comfort of fabric and cushions into your outdoor design, you can go for synthetic fabric furniture. Polyester, acrylic, and vinyl materials can resist moisture and damage caused by sun exposure.
Sintered Stone
An elegant and sturdy choice for your outdoor design, sintered stone is making its name for its luxurious aesthetics and durability. This material is UV resistant and easy to maintain. Even after prolonged exposure to moisture and sunlight, sintered stone material retains its shape and colour. Because of its elegant look, sintered stone is a good outdoor alternative to marble.
Concrete
A lot of outdoor designs include concrete, and for good reason. Concrete is versatile. It can be moulded to create various designs that fit your theme. Concrete can also work as a base for other furniture materials, like tempered glass. One thing to note when incorporating concrete into your design is its weight.
Choose the Right Furniture Material for Your Outdoor Sanctuary
So how do you choose the suitable material for your outdoor furniture? You should know what design you want and what your needs are. Do you use your outdoor space for lounging, dining, or me time? Of course, for your outdoor chair, you need something comfortable. If you are setting up an outdoor dining area, you should get an outdoor table to cater to your family. For smaller lounging areas, an outdoor furniture set might be an excellent choice.
You don’t have to settle for just one material when designing your home and buying furniture. You can select a set made of a variety of high-quality outdoor materials to maximise its efficiency and highlight its beauty.
Upgrading your patio or balcony? Check out Megafurniture’s extensive collection of elegant and high-quality outdoor furniture specially curated for your Singaporean home! We are here to assist you throughout your journey to your new outdoor sanctuary.