The Benefits Of Choosing Cast Iron Patio Furniture
Cast iron outdoor furniture has been around for centuries. Some pieces like benches, chairs, and tables made during the 1800s are still in use, in fact. These old furniture items frequently found in manicured gardens, public parks, and stately graveyards back in the day can sell for thousands now to collectors of garden antiques — especially when a mark indicates the company that made them such as Coalbrookdale. The fact that they're still around points to the main benefits of choosing cast iron patio furniture: attractiveness and durability.
Some antique cast iron patio furniture is very ornate, with Rococo influences. Since these items were used in gardens, many have foliage, grapes, and vines in the iron. Newer cast iron furniture pieces sometimes copy these designs or borrow elements, but there are also more modern styles being produced today that can be used with cushions for comfort. Another great aspect of cast iron is that it stays put due to its heft, making it a super selection for windy outdoor areas. From bistro sets to fire pit tables, cast iron patio furniture can indeed be right at home on the modern porch or patio.
Taking care of cast iron patio furniture
Many pieces of antique cast iron furniture are found painted. That's because, over time, cast iron can rust even though it's a durable product overall. In addition, green, black, and white have all traditionally been popular colors for cast iron and those are achieved by applying paint. If you find yourself drawn to antique cast iron patio furniture, or even vintage-look styles that are newly made, you can indeed paint it any color you like to maintain and preserve it.
Modern cast iron patio pieces sold with cushions or sling fabric making up the seating areas usually have a coating that thwarts rust or they are waxed to keep them looking great. You can apply an additional coating of spray wax occasionally to maintain the metal on these styles. If you happen to notice some rust forming, remove it with fine-grained sandpaper and then coat it with a bit more wax to keep additional corrosion at bay.
The difference between cast iron and wrought iron
Since both cast iron and wrought iron are used to make outdoor furniture, the terms are sometimes confused. While this is understandable since they're both made of iron, the process is quite different, and they usually look very different, too.
Cast iron is made using a carved mold into which smelted iron is poured. Once it sets, the result is a heavy and durable product that can last for more than a lifetime. Cast iron patio furniture usually has more decorative elements and is chunkier in comparison to wrought iron, which is made by heating and bending the metal instead of molding it. This results in more delicate-looking, lighter-weight pieces of furniture that are usually more portable. Due to the heaviness of cast iron, once you get it home and put it in a location, it's not as easy to move around.
Even though cast iron has some drawbacks like the propensity to rust and a lack of portability, it's still an excellent choice for porch and patio furniture. This is especially true if you want to invest in something heavy-duty enough to pass on to your kids with a little care and maintenance.