Furnishing your porch, patio or sunroom in the right outdoor furniture can increase the longevity of outdoor enjoyment. However, some outdoor furniture material may hold up better in warm, dry climates rather than cold, wet climates. So, what’s the trick to choosing the best outdoor furniture material? Take a look at your weather. While most outdoor furniture material is designed to withstand regular wear-and-tear, some materials may be more (or less) suitable for your environment. In Virginia Beach, the summers are warm and muggy, the winters are cold and windy, and it is wet and partly cloudy year round. We also need to be aware of salt water with living so close to the coast.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE MATERIAL GUIDE BY SUMMER CLASSICS
Wrought Aluminum
As durable as it is beautiful, Summer Classics wrought aluminum features heavy tubing, strengthened at stress points with interior wall supports and galvanized steel inserts. Available in multiple finishes, our wrought aluminum features triple hand polished 360° welds and a high-solids polyester powder-coat finish, which is ten times thicker than wet coat paint.
Benefits:
Lightweight construction makes it easy to move
Powder coating offers added protection against the elements
Requires little care and is easy to clean
Withstands: Rain, sunlight, and extreme temperatures
Care Tips:
Wash aluminum frame with mild liquid soap and water
If the furniture is scratched, we recommend sanding with 400-grit sandpaper only in the affected area. Next, apply matching color touch-up paint (contact your local Summer Classics Home store for more info).
Ideal Climate:
This outdoor furniture material thrives in most weather climates (reframe from salt-water environments to prevent rusting over time)
*Care Level: Minimal
Teak
The next outdoor furniture material is Teak! At Summer Classics we recognize the natural beauty of teak wood. Due to its high-quality center cut, and natural oils, teak will age gracefully without the help of cleaners and protectors. Over time the teak will begin to develop a silver/gray patina, which we think is inherently beautiful; however, if you do not want your teak to morph into this naturally beautiful state, there are many teak cleaners and protectors for your use.
Benefits:
The high level of oil and rubber in the teak helps prevent it from rotting, but all-natural wood will grey when exposed. Summer Classics offers a five-year frame warranty on our teak, but this does not include the natural cracking in the surface of our teak overtime
Withstands: Rain, sunlight, humidity, wind, saltwater, and extreme temperatures
Care Tips:
For all teak cleaning and maintenance tips, please refer to our Teak Care Guide highlighting everything you need to know about Summer Classics Teak.
Ideal Climate:
This outdoor furniture material thrives in all-weather environments
*Care Level: Medium to High
N-Dura Resin
Also known as all-weather wicker, Summer Classics N-Dura resin wicker is a longer-lasting, weather-resistant synthetic fiber weave wrapped over a metal frame. While other plant materials such as cane and rattan are the traditional outdoor furniture material used to make wicker furniture, the term “wicker” actually refers to the woven style in which the furniture is made, not the material used.
Summer Classics offers the most realistic and extensive UV resistant protocol in the industry, N-Dura resin wicker, which is guaranteed not to experience any significant color change for five (5) years. Because it is hand-woven over our steel-reinforced heavy gauge aluminum extrusions with a triple antique hand applied to finish using nano-ceramic testing, it is able to withstand the
Summer Classics offers the most realistic and extensive UV resistant protocol in the industry, N-Dura resin wicker, which is guaranteed not to experience any significant color change for five (5) years. Because it is hand-woven over our steel-reinforced heavy gauge aluminum extrusions with a triple antique hand applied to finish using nano-ceramic testing, it is able to withstand the elements.
Benefits:
Whether situated under a covered porch or directly outside, it will withstand the elements and years of use
Withstands: Rain, sunlight, humidity, wind, saltwater, and extreme temperatures
Care Tips:
Wash with a mixture of mild liquid soap and water
Ideal Climate:
This outdoor furniture material thrives in coastal climates
*Care Level: Minimal
