Wood Vs Aluminium Frame Outdoor Furniture: Which Is Best For Your Home?

At Briscoes, we’re your home for everything to do with outdoor living. This includes one of the essential elements of creating an oasis, quality outdoor furniture. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to your friend’s house for a backyard BBQ, chances are you’ll be sitting on one of two common outdoor chairs. 

Solid wood outdoor furniture and aluminium frame outdoor furniture are popular options for many homeowners choosing to deck out their backyard. In saying that, homeowners usually opt for one style or the other. So, how do you choose between wood and aluminium frame outdoor furniture? Our blog has gotten into the nitty gritty of these popular options of outdoor furniture table and chair options to help you decide. Here’s what we’ll cover:

What is aluminium frame furniture?

Benefits of aluminium frame furniture

Drawbacks of aluminium frame furniture

What kind of home is aluminium framed furniture suited for

What type of wood is often used for wood outdoor furniture?

Benefits of wood outdoor furniture

Drawbacks of wood outdoor furniture

What kind of home is wood outdoor furniture suited for

The range of aluminium frame and wood outdoor furniture at Briscoes

Let’s get started!

What is aluminium frame furniture?

Sometimes called aluminum in other parts of the world, aluminium is a type of metal that is very popular for outdoor chairs and furniture. Yes, you can get fully aluminium outdoor furniture. However, these outdoor chairs can be uncomfortable. So, aluminium framed outdoor furniture is popular in New Zealand, as you get the benefits of aluminium and the comfort of other softer materials or a cushion where you sit. 

Benefits of aluminium frame furniture

There are plenty of things to consider when choosing outdoor furniture. Whether looking for comfy outdoor furniture, chunky outdoor furniture or anything in between, there are always pros and cons to weighing up. Here are some of the benefits of choosing aluminium outdoor furniture. 

It doesn’t rust

When considering the best outdoor furniture options for rainy weather, it’s hard to look past aluminium. The weather in New Zealand can change quickly. Often, there are large periods of rain. Despite being a metal, aluminium doesn’t rust. A thin layer of natural aluminium oxide protects the surface. It can corrode, however. Luckily, most aluminium frames have a powder coating to prevent this. 

Durability

Another advantage of opting for aluminium frame outdoor garden furniture is its durability. Aluminium is a strong metal. In fact, 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. Another great thing to note is that aluminium is also 100% recyclable. It’s a win, win.

Lightweight

You may think that because it’s a metal, aluminium is heavy. In reality, aluminium has a lower density than many other metals. Comparing it to steel, aluminium is 65% lighter. This makes it easy to move around your deck or garden.

It isn’t damaged by the sun easily

Especially during summer, the sun can really beam down on your favourite outdoor balcony furniture. Owners of aluminium furniture will be pleased to know that aluminium isn’t affected by UV radiation. This means that the metal itself will not lose colour. However, the paint or coating on top may be another story. 

Drawbacks of aluminium frame furniture

We love aluminium frame outdoor furniture. But, as with anything, there are always setbacks to consider. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons and match potential outdoor furniture to your unique needs and outdoor space. Here are some other considerations.

If not looked after, it can corrode

Yes, aluminium can withstand rain in most cases. However, this metal can corrode if exposed to acid or alkaline environments. Corrosion and rust can look similar to the untrained eye. So, it’s best to look after your aluminium framed outdoor furniture with a special powder coating to be safe. 

It’s not heavy

We have said that aluminium is a benefit for outdoor garden furniture. But, it can also be seen as a drawback. Especially if you live in an exposed area, winds can get pretty high in New Zealand. If you’ve ever watched the news after a big storm, chances are you’ll hear the odd story of outdoor chairs or trampolines flying away. If it is windy, it’s best to weigh down your furniture or just bring it inside. 

It can heat up

Alumunium may not be damaged easily by the sun’s UV rays. However, it can certainly heat up from it! Aluminium is a good conductor that, unlike steel, doesn’t change colour when it heats up. This means you may get a burn if you’re not careful when touching it on a hot day.

Top tip: Briscoes has a range of shade covers to keep the sun off your favourite outdoor furniture table and chairs. 

What kind of home is aluminium framed furniture suited for

Any home in New Zealand would benefit from aluminium frame outdoor furniture. It’s durable, looks great and is practical. In saying that, if you’re living on the coast or have a pool, aluminium may be preferred as it doesn’t rust. For more advice on fitting out your yard, read our top tips for transforming your outdoor area on a budget. 

What type of wood is often used for wood outdoor furniture?

From cute small outdoor furniture to large tables to seat the whole family, solid wood outdoor furniture has been popular for years. It’s important when thinking of wood outdoor furniture to understand that many different types of wood are commonly used. You can rest assured that if you’re looking at quality outdoor furniture made from wood, it’ll be using durable wood like:

• Mahogany
• Teak 
• Oak Hickory
• Maple

Benefits of wood outdoor furniture

Everyone has varying tastes, styles and outdoor areas. So, when choosing outdoor furniture, the trick is to browse and match up outdoor furniture sets to your unique situation. To do this, it’s helpful to weigh up the pros and cons. Here are some benefits of opting for solid wood outdoor furniture.

Looks

Sure, you want your outdoor furniture to last the distance. However, it also needs to look great too. There are many ways you can transform your garden or outdoor area. One way is to take the time to choose a stunning outdoor furniture set that compliments your surroundings. In saying that, most wooden furniture provides a homely feel that is truly timeless. There are so many different shades and grains to choose from. 

Durability

Yes, wooden furniture needs more love and maintenance in most cases. But, if looked after well, it’s very durable. Unlike metal, scratches aren’t as obvious on solid wood outdoor furniture. Let’s not forget that the longer your furniture lasts, the better it is for the environment as it stays out of the landfill.

How heavy it is

Compared to cast aluminium frame outdoor furniture, solid wood outdoor garden furniture is often really heavy. The significant benefit of this is that wooden furniture is less likely to fly away in the wind. If you live in an exposed area, try to go for heavier woods like macrocarpa or teak, and stay away from rattan outdoor furniture. 

Drawbacks of wood outdoor furniture

Just like with any quality outdoor furniture, there are always pitfalls to consider. Thankfully, most of these negative aspects are easy to overcome. And, in some cases, overcoming them is well worth it! Here are some downsides to solid wood outdoor furniture. 

Required maintenance

As we’ve mentioned, you need to spend some time regularly looking after wooden outdoor furniture. Whether outdoor balcony furniture or a garden round outdoor table with an umbrella hole, you’ll need to give it TLC often if it's wood. As well as this, some ways to clean and protect wooden furniture also require a financial investment. For more advice, read our guide on how to clean and protect outdoor furniture. 

Potential for colour loss

You’ve probably been to a friend or family member’s house before and seen old wooden outdoor furniture that’s almost grey in colour. This can happen over time if your furniture is left to the elements, like the UV rays from the sun. Thankfully, you can mitigate this by looking after your furniture and covering it up when it’s not in use. At Briscoes, we have a range of shade covers to choose from. 

It’s weight

Just like with metal outdoor furniture, weight is both a pro and con. The downside of how heavy solid wood outdoor furniture is that it’s often difficult to move around. If you’re planning to restyle your outdoor space or deck or you’re moving house, heavy furniture can be an issue that requires more than one set of hands. 

What kind of home is wood outdoor furniture suited for

Wooden outdoor furniture comes in many shapes and styles, from slim and comfy outdoor furniture to chunky outdoor furniture. We think it’d look right at home in any garden, balcony, or deck. However, wooden outdoor furniture is especially great for homes where the outdoor area has a lot of trees or shade. This way, it’s less likely to fade over time. 

The range of aluminium frame and wood outdoor furniture at Briscoes

At Briscoes, we’re your home for outdoor furniture of all different materials and styles. We only stock options from the world's leading brands, including:

• Amalfi
• Outdoor Creations
• Coastal Classic
• Keter

When viewing our range, choose from furniture sets. Or, buy one of our loungers, tables or chairs. If you need further inspiration or have questions about outdoor furniture, reach out to your local Briscoes team. 

Fit out your outdoor space with Briscoes

So, wood or aluminium frame furniture? Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh up the pros and cons. Then match up this information with your taste and outdoor space. We think both options are fantastic for any Kiwi backyard or deck. For more advice for fitting out your yard, read our BBQ buying guide or first home buyers guide. At Briscoes, we’ve got everything you need to get creative!