If you’ve recently purchased a home with a large enough yard, or even if you’re looking to add a little life to outdoor areas, you’ll want some outdoor furniture to help make things more comfortable. And although the look of your outdoor furniture is important, you will also need to make sure that the material that you use for it won’t look terrible after just a little time out in the sun. To better ensure that you get more for your money, let’s discuss some common materials for outdoor furniture and what’s best when buying them.

Metal

Metal is a great material for outdoor furniture, since it’s sturdy and can take a lot of regular use, which makes it appropriate for a busy outdoor area. The problem with metal, of course, is that it can rust if made from steel or otherwise oxidize if made from aluminum. Your best bet for metal outdoor furniture is to buy some that’s been baked with enamel, similar to the same covering on automobiles, which will ensure that it looks good after a long time outside.

Wood

Wood is a popular material for outdoor furniture, just as it is for indoor furniture. If you purchase outdoor furniture, however, you will want to stick to hardwoods, which are more durable and less susceptible to rot. However, even good materials such as redwood and teak are prone to a little warping, cracking, and fading. If you go with wood outdoor furniture, consider storing it out of the elements when not in use.

Plastic

There are many different types of plastic outdoor furniture that can be had. The main advantage to plastic furniture is that it’s easy to wash, since you can go at it with a hose and some detergent without problems. Plastic is also a durable material, which ensures that it can stand up to frequent use, and the so-called “plastic lumber” furniture, made to look like wood furniture, is particularly suited for high temperatures due to its durability. However, plastic weave and plastic rataan furniture can eventually wear out and break down, though storage during the winter months will extend the lifespan of this furniture.

Wicker

While wicker is often associated with outdoor furniture, and does indeed make for a breezy look and makes comfortable furniture, wicker is also not quite as durable as the other furniture materials. Prolonged exposure to the sun and the elements will reduce the lifespan of wicker. To avoid this, wicker furniture should be brought outside only when needed. As you can see, each material has an advantage, whether its durability or looks, but you also need to have an eye for buying something that is durable and must make sure to take care of your outdoor furniture.