Steel Versus Aluminium Outdoor Cafe Furniture – Which One Would You Choose?

As more and more cafes, restaurants, and bistros are offering al-fresco seating, how’s your outdoor furniture holding up? Here in Brisbane, as we enter the winter season now is a good time to re-evaluate your patio seating and make any changes necessary to make your whole cafe experience a good one. Remember – first impressions really do count!

The problem is that replacing old and worn outdoor cafe furniture can be expensive particularly when you choose the metal variety which is more commonly used for al-fresco dining. Therefore when you do feel the need to replace it, it has to be right.

In essence metal furniture can be placed into two categories and these are steel and aluminium. However there are some subtle differences between the two which could affect how and where you use them.

Aluminium

If you choose aluminium furniture the first thing to notice is that it’s a much softer metal. This makes it lightweight and easy to move around. That said it mightn’t be ideal if you live in a windy climate, but it can be the perfect lightweight option for seating directly outside coffee shops particularly on pavement areas and small terraces. Aluminium chairs are best used outside rather than inside where they might struggle to hold up to the everyday rigours of a busy cafe. Conversely if you have a large patio area that’s open full time in the summer then it might not be ideal either.

Steel

Steel furniture on the other hand is a stronger more durable metal and is likely to last longer. Equally though these same qualities makes it heavier. Therefore if you require your outdoor cafe furniture to be moved around a lot, then steel might not be the best choice because it can be cumbersome . If you do decide to opt for steel furniture you should always make sure need that it’s been treated for protection from the elements. If not, it will have a tendency to rust over time. In comparison, aluminium naturally contains a surface area of aluminium oxide. This acts as a barrier to prevent the air and oxygen from getting to the surface of the metal, meaning that it won’t rust.

As you can see there are pros and cons to each type of metal furniture, so before you part with your hard earned cash, make sure that the furniture you buy suits your exacting needs.

If you’re stuck for choice then why not take a look at our website at www.cafefurnituremelbourne.com.au We stock a wide range of commercial grade stainless steel and aluminium outdoor cafe furniture at great prices. Alternatively if you need further advice, then don’t hesitate to contact our friendly and experienced team on (03) 9125 6859 who are only to glad to assist.