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Wrought Aluminum — Cast Aluminum

Aluminum outdoor patio furniture may differ in several aspects-not least of which is whether it is wrought aluminum or cast aluminum. While the term wrought aluminum may not be as familiar as wrought iron, it basically refers to aluminum furniture that is constructed using wrought iron techniques. Essentially, this means that the aluminum is "shaped" to produce ornate furniture, window gates, and other architectural elements.

The term "wrought iron" is slightly ambiguous as it refers not only to the method of construction but also to the type of metal used. In other words, wrought iron is a specific type of iron and also a style of metal work. Confused? Well, don’t worry because wrought aluminum simply refers to the metalworking method-not the type of aluminum.

Cast aluminum on the other hand is made from literally pouring molten aluminum into a cast and allowing it to harden. With cast aluminum, the furniture maker can add minute details that are not possible by simply shaping hardened aluminum. Also, the cast can be used over and over again so the furniture maintains a consistent shape and each piece matches the other.

Unfortunately, oftentimes furniture labeled as aluminum will not add the prefix of "wrought" or "cast." Thus, it may take a little detective work to figure it out for yourself. Basically, if you notice small details on parts of the furniture and don’t see any joinery, you can usually assume its cast. Also, you’ll rarely see any furniture labeled as wrought aluminum. Instead, wrought aluminum is simply understood to be wrought unless expressly labeled as cast.

Aluminum

Aluminum is an ideal material for outdoor furniture. It's strong, non-rusting, and retains its good looks. Quality aluminum furniture is durable and can last for a decade or more. It 's lightweight, making it easy to move, and requires minimal maintenance.

Characteristics: Doesn't rust, relatively lightweight (cast and wrought aluminum are solid and weigh more), durable, minimum maintenance.

Location: Suitable for use anywhere outside. Wrought and cast aluminum are also used indoors in dining, living, breakfast and sunroom areas. Light tubular aluminum may not be suitable in areas with very high winds.

Recognizing Quality: Screws, bolts and nuts should be stainless steel, anodized or properly plated; welds should be smooth. Inferior quality aluminum weighs less.

Maintenance: Low maintenance. Apply a coat of liquid wax at the start of each season. Wipe down the furniture frame occasionally with water mixed with liquid detergent. Use Soft Scrub to remove stubborn stains and light scratches. Touch up nicks and scratches promptly. Spray WD-40 oil on chair swivels or glides twice a season.

There are three basic categories of aluminum furniture - tubular, cast, and wrought. With stunning styles to please every taste, and price points to please every purse, it's no surprise that aluminum is the most popular of outdoor furniture materials.

Tubular Aluminum

Most aluminum furniture is made from hollow tubing, often with internal reinforcing ribs for added strength. The tubing is cut and bent to form the elements of the furniture frame, which are then welded or bolted together by skilled craftsmen. Once assembly is completed, the piece is coated with a baked-on powder finish.

Over the last few years, finish options in metal furniture have become quite exciting. There are finishes which mimic verdigris, pewter and stone. There are smooth, gleaming finishes, textured matte finishes, single tone finishes, and some with a melange of colors. Not just good-lookers, these finishes are tough. They become a plastic skin that virtually bonds to the aluminum. They will not chip, peel or crack, and are six times thicker than paint, making them highly resistant to weather.

Tubular aluminum is frequently the material of choice for contemporary styling. You'll find a dazzling array of handsome color choices for frames and straps, as well as a full selection of vibrant fabrics if you choose furniture with cushions or slings.

Cast Aluminum

Cast aluminum is usually investment furniture. Distinctive and elegant, it features classic designs with roots in the cast-iron stylings of the 18th century.

Cast aluminum furniture is produced by pouring molten aluminum into molds and then allowing it to cool. The prototype for each casting mold is hand carved, permitting elaborate detailing.

Cast aluminum is undeniably handsome and elegant. While its beauty is striking, its demeanor is classic and understated. Furniture of cast aluminum is often so exquisitely detailed that it seems to have come from a museum. But, like tubular aluminum, it is also amazingly durable and easy to maintain.

Quality cast-aluminum furniture can be costly and is not for the family that craves a new look every few seasons. But, if you treat this category as a collector might, acquiring pieces over a number of years, you will end up with exactly what you want - an outdoor room that is second to none.

Wrought Aluminum

Wrought aluminum marries the centuries-old craft of hand forging to the high tech performance of aluminum. Though wrought aluminum cannot duplicate the more intricate wrought-iron stylings, some believe that it represents the ideal wedding of art and technology. With wrought aluminum, you can enjoy the traditional elegance of a wrought-iron look in a material that is lightweight, low maintenance and rustproof.

Casual furniture made from iron has been extraordinarily popular for more than a century. It is versatile, stylish, strong, and often less expensive than furniture made with other materials.

Characteristics: Heavy, durable, with graceful, flowing designs.

Location: Porch lawn, deck, patio; indoors in sunroom, dining and living areas, breakfast nook.

Recognizing Quality: More parts are used to create a better iron chair than lower-priced versions. The back legs of chairs and chaises should be reinforced with braces or double rods (lighter material requires less bracing). Iron mesh should feel sturdy and be unrippled, and in quality tabletops be held in place by a channel, not tack welded. Bolts or rivets should be rust resistant.

Maintenance: Maintain iron furniture as you would your car's finish. Wash it occasionally and apply liquid car wax at least once a year; two or three times is even better. Use Soft Scrub to remove some stains and light scratches, or talk to our salespeople about other products available. If you see any rust, get after it at once with a wire brush and some touch-up paint. Fast action will keep the rust from spreading. During the winter, cover the furniture well or, if possible, bring it indoors. Spray WD-40 oil on any moving parts twice a year.

Available in handsome designs ranging from contemporary to traditional, iron furniture is so durable that it frequently outlasts its owners. However, if it has not been properly coated by the manufacturer and maintained by the consumer - no ifs, ands or buts - it will rust.

Wrought Iron

Classic wrought-iron styling with its appealing curves and elegant design is hotter than ever. Originally hand-made (wrought) by blacksmiths, wrought-iron furniture is constructed from solid half-inch round bars formed into timeless designs - simple or ornate, the choice is yours.

Wrought iron is particularly versatile, working as effectively indoors as out. Young couples often begin decorating with a good looking wrought-iron dining group for the kitchen, which they later move to the patio or sun porch for years of additional service. In addition, many seating groups are designed for use with cushions or without.

Today's wrought-iron finishes are extraordinary. While the most popular frame colors are still black, forest green, and white, there are wonderful coatings of every variety that look Old World, yet protect your furniture from rust through the miracles of modern science. Beware of cheap imports that coat their furniture with spray paint.

Designs range from simple to ornate. Some pieces are adorned with decorations - flowers, leaves and other designs. Quality manufacturers create these ornaments from thick aluminum castings with exquisite detail, which have been molded from hand-carved or antique dies. On less expensive pieces, the accents are simply stamped out.

The abundant selection of wrought-iron pieces can boggle the mind. In addition to dining and seating groups, handsome console tables, baker's racks, plant stands, shelving, even four-poster beds are frequently used as charming accents throughout the house and outdoors as well.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is the essence of romance and nostalgia. Heavy and ornate, it is often identified with the South. Think of an elegant white bench with an exquisite floral design, gracing a well-manicured garden or curving around an ancient elm. Weighing three times more than an identical piece in cast aluminum, cast iron is popular for public areas because it weighs too much to be easily pilfered.

As with all iron, check out the finish. Although all iron furniture requires occasional touch-up, if yours has a quality coating, you will enjoy low maintenance and decades of use.