Metal outdoor furniture never goes out of style, and a table, bench or swing seat made from strong and durable metals can be expected to last far longer than equivalents made of timber or plastics. However, almost all outdoor metal furniture has one big weakness that must be dealt with—rust.

As you can imagine, metal outdoor furniture that isn't made out of aluminium or stainless steel is particularly vulnerable to rust if left unprotected with inclement weather and airborne humidty capable of inducing metal corrosion remarkably quickly. Consequently, outdoor furniture made of ferrous metals must be given some sort of protective coating to prevent moisture damaging the metal beneath, and powder coatings are some of the very best protective coatings available. Here are just some of the advantages of having your metal outdoor furniture powder coated:

Durable

Powder coatings are some of the most durable metal coatings widely available today and can be expected to last years or even decades without repairs or renewal. This is largely due to the sheer thickness of the coating; while rustproof paints and galvanic coatings are applied to metal furniture and objects in thin layers, powder coatings are applied to the metal in solid powder form before being 'baked' on, creating a much thicker coating that can stand up to almost anything the outside world can throw at it.

The sheer durability of powder coatings means never having to worry about small cracks or chips allowing moisture to bypass the coating and rust the metal beneath, a common problem with some rustproof metal paints. Powder coatings are also very resistant to damage caused by UV light; this means that your furniture can be left outdoors and without shelter with confidence, saving you valuable indoor storage space for more vulnerable outdoor objects.

Choice of colours

Powder coatings can be rather aesthetically pleasing and are available in a wide variety of colours to suit different design schemes. Many shades are intended to replicate the look of the metal beneath the coating and can be indistinguishable from the bare metal except up close. Others are designed to mimic the natural blue-green oxides produced by lead, copper and other expensive rustproof metals, adding a hint of luxury to furniture made out of basic steel.

Environmentally friendly

A coating bonded to your furniture in enormous kilns may not sound particularly environmentally friendly. However, powder coatings can be a surprisingly green option for coating your metal furniture, especially when compared to metal paints. They contain very few solvents and do not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere as they degrade. Their longevity also means that they rarely, if ever, have to be renewed, saving a great deal of energy in the long term.