Inspiration12 min read

The Complete Aluminum Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide

The Complete Aluminum Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide

If you’re looking for outdoor furniture, you’ve probably discovered that there are countless styles and materials available — it can be hard to know which path to take. When it comes to choosing aluminum outdoor furniture for your backyard, you really can’t go wrong!

How do you know which aluminum furniture meets your needs? We’ve compiled a list of our best tips for finding the perfect aluminum furniture to bring life to your backyard.

Keep reading to discover why aluminum is a smart choice for your outdoor furniture needs and exactly what you should look for when shopping for your new favorite pieces.

Materials Used In Outdoor Furniture

aluminum outdoor furniture with a firepit and chairs
Outer Wicker Outdoor Armchair Conversation Set

Before we dive into what makes aluminum outdoor furniture a great choice for all your backyard furniture needs, let’s explore other materials often used in outdoor furniture.

Teak

Teak is a common material used in outdoor furniture — and for good reason. It’s hard-wearing, can stand the test of time living outdoors, and is easy to clean and very low-maintenance.

Unlike other wood materials used in outdoor furniture, teak doesn’t require treatment or regular oiling to keep it looking pristine — it’s got natural protective oils built right in! With the natural oils and silica that protect it from the elements, teak is an exceptional material to use outdoors.

We’re such big fans of teak outdoor furniture that we created a range of seating options and coffee tables featuring this beautiful material, so you can rest assured it’s Outer approved.

Teak outdoor furniture
Outer Teak Outdoor Sofa with Armchairs - 5 Seat

The Teak we use here at Outer is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council®, which is the leading international authority on sustainable forest management.

With this certification, you know that our wood is harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable.

Our wood is sourced from teak fields in Central Java, and for each tree that we harvest, the farm plants not just one but three more in its place. This is especially important since a single teak tree can absorb 10kg of carbon each year. Talk about helping offset climate change.

With a warm honey color and a tight, straight grain, our teak wood is beautiful, too.

Mahogany

Teak is one type of wood used in outdoor furniture. Mahogany is another.

Mahogany is a strong, heavy wood that’s slowly being used less frequently in the outdoor furniture industry (thanks to lighter-weight, more sustainable options such as teak wood).

Not only is this dense wood becoming harder to find, but it also requires a lot of upkeep — regular polishing and major stress at the mere thought of a spill that could stain it. Generally speaking, it’s also not as hard-wearing as other wood options on the market.

While mahogany might look beautiful, it’s a little too high-maintenance for our taste!

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an incredibly versatile material that can be used in a variety of ways. We currently feature it in our range of All-Weather Wicker furniture to bring sturdiness to our sofa legs (more on that below!).

What are the pros of stainless steel outdoor furniture? It’s strong, sturdy, doesn’t rust easily, and is heavy enough to always stay put. And it can be stylish and attractive.

However, when used as a standalone material, stainless steel can be very heavy (too heavy to easily move) and requires expensive construction.

In comparison to aluminum, which is lighter in weight and just as versatile, the latter is our go-to for a core material.

All-Weather Wicker

Wicker is a common material in the outdoor furniture world. It’s pretty, and, even though it doesn’t look as sturdy as metal, a tight wicker weave is strong and durable.

Keep in mind, some wicker might not weather well, so be sure to opt for all-weather wicker. All-weather wicker has a special place in our hearts — after all, our wicker sofas, like our 3-Seater Wicker Outdoor Sofa, were among the first we ever designed and built!

By itself, all-weather wicker is too lightweight to withstand strong winds, but pairing it with an aluminum frame and stainless steel legs makes for a versatile and durable outdoor furniture option.

At Outer, our all-weather wicker is handwoven by master artisans who use a special technique to create a beautiful yet durable weave. It is specifically designed to withstand the elements and years of use.

We’ve created our wicker furniture with the earth in mind. It’s made of 30% recycled materials and, at the end of its long lifespan, is 100% recyclable.

Why Choose Aluminum Outdoor Furniture?

Two people hanging out on aluminum outdoor furniture
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Loveseat with Armless Chair

Now that we’ve covered the most common materials found in outdoor furniture, let’s dive into what you really came here for: why aluminum outdoor furniture might be a great choice for your outdoor space.

It’s Durable And Hard-Wearing

The number one reason we love using aluminum in Outer furniture is that it’s incredibly durable and hard-wearing.

It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it option in the outdoor furniture world — simply set it up and it’ll be ready and waiting for you to use for years to come.

Aluminum outdoor furniture is also naturally mold-resistant and will never rust, and it won’t chip or crack. This makes it the ideal material for a variety of climates, from the super humid to the extra cold.

Come snow, rain, or blistering-hot weather, your aluminum outdoor furniture will hold up.

It’s Lightweight

Also, keep in mind that durable doesn’t have to mean heavy. One of the cons of steel furniture is that it’s heavy — so heavy that you probably won’t feel like moving it around. Not so with aluminum.

Despite how hard-wearing aluminum is, it’s surprisingly lightweight, making it the perfect option for families that love to entertain and might find themselves rearranging their outdoor furniture to suit different needs.

The aluminum furniture at Outer is made from extruded aluminum tubing, which is lightweight enough for you to move by yourself but not so light it will blow away in inclement weather.

This is good news for the hosts and hostesses among us as well as for when you want a different look for your patio or need to temporarily store your outdoor furniture.

There’s Minimal Maintenance Required

Aluminum outdoor furniture set
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs - 5 Seat

If you’re looking for outdoor furniture that requires essentially zero upkeep, aluminum outdoor furniture could be the one for you.

Unlike many types of wooden outdoor furniture, aluminum furniture doesn’t require oiling to prevent it from looking worn down. It holds its shape so you don’t need to worry about bending, warping, or snapping. Plus, it can withstand the elements without cracking under pressure.

It’s Easy To Clean

Clean outdoor furniture is attractive outdoor furniture. And the good news about aluminum is that it’s easy to clean, which means that you can have clean, stylish, top-notch furniture all the time.

To clean aluminum, simply wipe it down with a cloth to remove dust and grime. When it’s time for a deeper (yet still simple) cleaning, hose your furniture down or scrub it with regular soap and water. Don’t use any harsh cleaning agents.

It’s Timelessly Stylish

At Outer, we’re all about sustainability and making furniture that will last your family through years of happy memories.

We create furniture that’s built using quality materials and craftsmanship while offering a classic, timeless design that never goes out of style. Aluminum outdoor furniture is exactly that — timeless, stylish, and versatile enough to suit a variety of backyard decor.

You won’t find yourself getting sick of looking at your aluminum furniture any time soon, and its timelessness means there’s no need to switch it out after a year or two.

Tips For Selecting The Best Aluminum Outdoor Furniture

Woman lounging by the pool on aluminum outdoor furniture
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Loveseat

When shopping for aluminum outdoor furniture, it’s important to know the key features to look for to ensure you snag the best option on the market. Not all aluminum furniture is created with the quality and style you might expect.

You’ll also need the right furniture to fit your style and match the feel of your outdoor living space. Follow our tips below to discover everything you need to know about selecting the perfect aluminum outdoor furniture!

Choose Lifeproof Furniture

Think about the elements your outdoor furniture goes up against every day.

On top of the same daily wear-and-tear that your indoor couch goes through — from kids, pets, and food spillages — your outdoor furniture also has to contend with sun, rain, wind, and potentially even snow.

This is why your aluminum outdoor furniture must be totally lifeproof! Everything from the frames and the legs to any fabrics used on the cushions needs to be able to withstand whatever life — and Mother Nature — throws at it.

We made sure that every piece of our aluminum furniture range, from our cozy Aluminum Outdoor Armchairs to our spacious 5-Seater Aluminum Outdoor Corner Sectional, was designed and built with functionality and durability in mind (on top of good looks, of course).

Our aluminum furniture is rust-proof and resistant to mold, water, stains, and UV rays. That goes for every part of our aluminum range, including the fabric of our cushions.

So no matter what you love to use your backyard for, you can be sure that Outer’s aluminum furniture can stand up to it all!

Opt For Sustainably Sourced Materials

At Outer, we’re all about being eco-friendly and helping counter the effects of climate change, so it’s no surprise that our materials are always sustainably sourced and easily recyclable.

Our All-Weather Wicker furniture is made from recycled plastic bottles, and for each tree we use to create our teak furniture, more are replanted in its place to ensure we’re giving back more than we take.

Our aluminum furniture is no different. It’s made of recyclable materials and is designed with longevity in mind, so you won’t be cluttering landfills any time soon.

Check The Craftsmanship

You want your new aluminum outdoor furniture to be a fixture in your backyard for a long time to come, and it all starts with choosing pieces that are designed with expert craftsmanship.

Make sure the aluminum furniture you plan on buying feels solid, is comfortable to sit on, and that the fabrics used are free from snags. Check to see if the cushions are made from quality materials and that the zippers work correctly.

This inspection may feel like overkill, but when it comes to purchasing your new aluminum outdoor furniture, quality matters!

There’s nothing worse than investing in new outdoor furniture only to find it’s not all it’s cracked up to be once you take a closer look.

We pride ourselves on our Outer furniture being of the highest quality in both materials and craftsmanship — any one of our neighborhood Showroom hosts can vouch for that!

It’s also important to check the warranty terms of your new outdoor furniture to ensure that, in case anything were to break down, you’d be covered. Any outdoor furniture manufacturer worth their salt will be upfront about their warranty details, so be sure to investigate before you buy.

At Outer, we’re proud to offer a five-year limited warranty on our cushions and fabrics, with an additional five years for sofa legs and frames. We know our aluminum outdoor furniture will live a long, happy life with you, and we’re always willing to walk the talk to make sure that happens.

Make Sure It’s Easy To Clean

We already mentioned that, in general, aluminum outdoor furniture is quite easy to clean. But you’ll also want to make sure that any other parts of your furniture (like cushions) are also simple to clean.

When dust builds up or spills happen, wipe your aluminum furniture down with water. No rust, no problem. You can also hose your furniture down or use a soft bristle brush for the corners.

For a soap and water formula that’s appropriate for aluminum outdoor furniture, we recommend mixing two ounces of mild soap (such as Woolite or Dawn dishwashing liquid) with one gallon of lukewarm water. This can be used on aluminum as well as Outer fabrics, too.

After you’ve cleaned with soap and water, rinse the furniture thoroughly with a hose and simply let it air dry, ideally in filtered sunlight or partial shade.

Even though aluminum is a breeze to clean, it never hurts to protect your furniture when you’re not using it. For Outer aluminum furniture, use the patented OuterShell® cover on your chair or sofa. This cover rolls out and over the cushions to protect from everyday dirt, debris, and morning dew.

If you’re looking for more information about cleaning all of your patio furniture, read our article here.

Test For Comfort

Woman sitting on aluminum outdoor furniture
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Loveseat

There are all sorts of aluminum furniture, and it’s certainly not all created equal when it comes to comfort. We encourage you to test any outdoor furniture you’re considering to see if it’s up to snuff.

After all, your outdoor living space should be inviting, relaxing, and somewhere that you can see yourself and your dear ones spending hours on end. The shape of the furniture, the cushions, and the fabric will all affect the comfort of the furniture and, ultimately, your decision.

Get an up-close and personal look at Outer furniture and give it a test-run for comfort by visiting one of our Neighborhood Showrooms. There’s no pressure to buy. Just experience the possibilities.

At one of these showrooms you’ll be able to see, touch, and ask questions about Outer products in the outdoor spaces of neighbors — real Outer customers — who enjoy our furniture every day.

If your interest is piqued, request an in-person visit or connect with a host virtually, and your Outer Concierge will help coordinate all the details.

Design Your Space

If you’re convinced that you want aluminum outdoor furniture because it’s lightweight, easy to clean, and all the rest, that’s great! Just remember that there are various styles. So, get an idea of how you want to design your space before you choose your furniture.

If you’re at a loss for ideas for design or furniture arrangements, turn to the professionals. We have a team of exterior design experts ready to help you choose the right aluminum furniture for your space and give you design tips to achieve the look you want.

Request a free consult here or answer our five-question quiz, and we'll find the best configuration to fit your space and style.

Choose The Right Color

Part of thinking through design is choosing the right color for your outdoor furniture. With aluminum outdoor furniture like chairs and sofas, this mostly means choosing the color of the cushions.

All of our aluminum chairs, loveseats, sofas, and sectional cushions come in two attractive colors: Palisades Cream and Pacific Fog Gray. Both are timeless shades that will fit a variety of styles.

Remember that outdoor throw pillows can also provide a pop of color and contribute to your color scheme.

aluminum outdoor furniture by a pool and fireplace
Outer Aluminum Outdoor U Sectional - 7 Seat

Now that you know a bit more about aluminum outdoor furniture and how to pick the ideal piece for your space, we’ll leave you with a few options to choose from.

Outdoor Aluminum Furniture Options

Aluminum Chairs

aluminum outdoor furniture near a pool
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Armless Chair

Our Aluminum Outdoor Armless Chair is designed for small backyards, rooftops, patios, decks, and is made to combine with other furniture in large outdoor spaces. The Aluminum Outdoor Armchair is another aluminum chair option.

If you’re looking for a pair of these chairs, opt for Aluminum Outdoor Armchair Conversation Set or Aluminum Outdoor Armless Chair Conversation Set.

Aluminum Loveseats, Sofas, And Sectionals

Loveseats

aluminum outdoor furniture
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Loveseat

Made up of a couple of modular chairs, our loveseats are perfect for two. For a loveseat with arms, choose the Aluminum Outdoor Loveseat, or you can also go with the Aluminum Outdoor Armless Loveseat.

Sofas

aluminum outdoor furniture
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Sofa 

For medium-sized outdoor living spaces, we recommend our Aluminum Outdoor Sofa, which seats three comfortably.

All of our aluminum outdoor furniture comes with multi-layer memory foam cushions that offer luxurious comfort. They make our furniture perfect for relaxing with a book, lounging during an outdoor movie night, sitting and chatting with a friend, or even lying down for a nap!

Sectionals

aluminum outdoor furniture on a outdoor rug and colorful throw pillows
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Corner Sectional - 5 Seat

If you have a larger space outdoors, a sectional may be just the thing. We offer an aluminum outdoor sectional in the shape of an L, and you can choose between our four-seater or five-seater.

For areas that can handle something even larger, try an Aluminum Outdoor U Sectional. Since our sectionals are made up of modular chairs, the great thing is that they can be arranged and rearranged into additional configurations.

Whatever you choose, complete the look with our Aluminum Outdoor Ottoman. Put your feet up and relax.

Go Aluminum And Live Better, Outside

two people having wine while sitting around an outdoor fire
Outer Aluminum Outdoor Armchair Conversation Set

And there you have it: everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing the best aluminum outdoor furniture!

We hope you enjoyed learning all about why aluminum is the perfect choice for a durable, stylish, and low-maintenance backyard furniture option.

By following our tips in this buying guide — including looking for quality craftsmanship, choosing lifeproof fabrics, and opting for sustainably sourced materials — you’ll be relaxing in your new aluminum furniture in no time!

From Aluminum Outdoor Armchairs to our 5-Seater Aluminum Outdoor Corner Sectional, you can’t go wrong with Outer’s range of aluminum outdoor furniture to bring life back outside.