The quest for the best outdoor furniture for Coastal Living often does not start with durability, it begins with these characteristics with durability being considered last: 

• Aesthetics

• Comfort

• Price 

• Durability

As the saying goes, no one gets ahead by constantly replacing -cheap outdoor furniture can be costly.  At Riviera Outdoor Decor, we want to help you build your dream outdoor space, not constantly replace it. This post will focus on durability and how it will impact the overall design of your patio.

Your furniture’s durability will depend on how well it’s suited it is for its environment.  For those of us who live along the coast, we need to prepare for humidity, salt, strong wind and sun.  

There are four types of outdoor furniture that are most suited for coastal environments, which we have selected for their durability:

Cast Aluminum

Cast aluminum is one of the best materials for outdoor patio furniture. This material provides both strength and a variety of beautiful design aesthetics with intricate detailing options from the molds of which it is poured into.  

Design aesthetics of cast aluminum offer a variety in range from a  sleek, contemporary look as in our Castelle Eclipse collection to the intricate fretwork of the Butera Signature Collection. 

Unlike iron or steel, aluminum does not rust. This means no rust stains on your patio, and no breakdown of the pieces because of rusting joints or legs. (If this sounds like the voice of experience talking, it is.)

The lack of rust on cast aluminum patio furniture is a benefit no matter where you are, but may mean more to you if you live on the coast where humidity, saltwater and marine fog can wreak havoc on all kinds of materials.

Quality aluminum furniture should be solid, giving the product higher strength, durability and weight than a hollow product. It has enough weight to stay in place in windy conditions, yet it’s light enough for you to move around easily. 

Quality of the cast aluminum alloy is critical for longevity of your outdoor furniture.  The outdoor furniture that you purchase from Riviera Outdoor Decor is made from AA 356, the best quality available and used by both the  avionics and automotive industry. In addition, the cast aluminum is powder coated to further withstand the harsh outdoor elements and any scratches. Many of the paint finishes feature a special paint application on top of the powder coat that gives the outdoor furniture an antiqued or stone look and over-all higher-end look to the design versus a flat finish.

Cast aluminum when well maintained can last 30 years or more.  At Riviera Outdoor Decor, we recommend covering cast aluminum outdoor furniture when not in use, which is why we provide a heavy duty outdoor furniture cover.  Many of our paint finishes also feature a special paint application on top of the powder coat that gives the product an antiqued or stone look. 

Cast aluminum requires regular cleaning and application of high quality car wax after each season.

Synthetic Outdoor Wicker

Synthetic Outdoor Wicker is another great material for outdoor furniture.  Make sure  when you buy synthetic outdoor wicker that it is made fromHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) and not PVC.  Some manufacturers sell ‘outdoor wicker’ furniture that uses PVC wicker. This is a much cheaper option, but we do NOT recommend it.  PVC turns brittle in direct sunlight and under constant exposure to water and heat, so you’ll be replacing it frequently.

When you are buying a quality UV Resistant, weather resistant, synthetic wicker, it needs to be thick and slightly textured to reduce sliding when sitting or lying down.  Quality synthetic wicker will have visible texturing which  also gives it a more natural and high-end look. 

Another important note when looking at synthetic wicker is that it needs to be attached to a cast  aluminum frame for strength and weight to resist being blown by the wind. 

For more on the Gensun Barclay Collection view here

Hard Woods

Most of us are familiar with teak, an excellent material for outdoor furniture.  It can last up to 50 years with proper care.  However, it is a costly imported wood, and requires a lot of upkeep if you don’t want it to take on that silver, weathered look.

Another hardwood that is currently starting to gain in popularity is mesquite.  Our previous blog post explains what makes mesquite attractive: https://rivieraoutdoordecor.com/a/blog/outdoor-patio-furniture-which-is-better-teak-or-mesquite

So, how does mesquite rank compared to teak?  

https://www.westwindhardwood.com/taproot/2012/05/mesquite-theres-a-lovehate-relationship/

"As a species used for woodworking, it is hard and dimensionally stable. Teak, mahogany and mesquite are equally ranked as the most stable hardwoods in the world.  It is harder than oak and maple.  Long-lasting, it can withstand heavy weight and moisture changes.  I’m hearing that it is becoming the ‘new exotic’ of the US as various woodworking and trade associations encourage the sourcing of local, home-grown woods to replace those that have fallen politically and environmentally out of favour."

Poly furniture

Poly furniture (sometimes called resin or polymer resin)  is extraordinarily strong and extremely durable. It’s resistant to moisture, rotting, and cracking, and is impervious to salt water and stains. It also resists fading, because its color is intrinsic to the material.  Lighter colors will show dirt more easily, however, and may need to be power-washed or bleached periodically.

It may seem that with poly outdoor furniture, you are limited with design choices. However, with custom options available from Riviera Outdoor Decor, such as outdoor cushions, seasonal slipcovers and pillows, you can change the look of poly furniture rather easily. 

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