If It’s Good Enough for NASA, It’s Good Enough for Me

As a strong, corrosion resistant metal and the third most abundant element on the planet, it does not come as a surprise that aluminium is used to make a vast range of products including furniture.
Aluminium is non-magnetic and one of its key features is its remarkable light weight, making it the ideal material to be crafted and used in every day life. Its duration in commercial production has so far been short, spanning little over 100 years after being discovered in 1821. Upon being commercially produced, aluminium was more expensive than silver and gold. Over the next few years its price dropped to less than 90% of what it was and despite its recent discovery, crafting aluminium furniture is a lot cheaper and easier than crafting in wood, making its selling price cheaper respectively. Its grey-silver colour also means that aluminium furniture is almost guaranteed to match and even compliment any style of garden or patio décor.
Although aluminium furniture is light and can blow over, it is very often seen outside cafes and restaurants and is well suited as outdoor (patio) furniture as it is easily manoeuvred, attractive and easily cleaned. Another major advantage aluminium patio furniture has is that it can be left outside in all seasons and will not be subject to damage or weathering. The reason aluminium is non-corrosive is because it has a thin layer of aluminium oxide covering its surface, preventing any further oxidisation taking place. This means it can withstand a lot of exposure to rain, snow, sleet and hail without rusting or losing its shine. Aluminium, like iron can also be cast for a slightly older more sophisticated look. To further protect aluminium furniture, a sand powder coating may be applied which can also change the colour of the metal according to personal taste. Other than this option, maintenance for aluminium is easier, cheaper and a lot quicker than that of wood. The fastenings that hold aluminium furniture together are most commonly made from stainless steel or aluminium.
The list of furniture that can be made using aluminium is almost endless, as the metal is so malleable. The most commonly seen furniture items are probably patio chairs and tables, with aluminium tubing used for the legs and arms. It is best to place aluminium patio furniture on a patio rather than on grass, sand or any soft ground as its legs are often thin and may sink. Although wooden furniture doesn’t heat up as quickly as aluminium, there is always the hassle of having to fold up and balance wooden chairs when you store them, whereas the aluminium counterparts are typically stackable.
The two main attractions of aluminium patio furniture are its modern look and its incredible strength considering how much it weighs. Although perhaps not appearing as classy as wood, aluminium compliments every colour apart from gold and can give a very clean, fresh and professional look to any garden, patio or restaurant. And after all, if NASA think aluminium is good enough to craft over three-quarters of their shuttles from the metal then surely it’s good enough for us to sit on?