Quality Products Require Quality Materials...
The style and finish of your furniture is very important. But equally, and
maybe even more important, is what your cast aluminum furniture is made of,
and how it is manufactured. After all, when you make your decision to purchase
cast aluminum furniture, you want a product that will last and which will
be a lifetime investment. And since the product will spend most of its life
outdoors and exposed to the elements, you need to have peace of mind that
it will maintain its beauty and strength.
It is not possible to make quality casting, meant to last a lifetime, using
inferior metal. With over 30 years of experience manufacturing cast aluminum
furniture, OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE only uses certified aluminum manufactured to
the highest and most consistent standards (British Standard LM-6).
Aluminum is an extremely versatile material, but 100% pure aluminum is a
soft metal. Therefore, to give it the two important properties required for
outdoor furniture, namely strength and corrosion resistance, certain metals
and minerals are added to the aluminum to form the desired alloy. Likewise,
too much of certain metals in the alloy have the opposite effect, making the
product brittle and susceptible to corrosion. That’s why we specify
that our aluminum alloy not contain more than 0.5% Iron (Fe), as higher levels
make the parts brittle. We also specify that our aluminum contain no more
than 0.1% Copper (Cu), as higher levels drastically reduce the corrosion resistance
of the metal, and ultimately the furniture.
From tests we have conducted on similar looking cast products produced in
the Far East, we have found that they contain between 3 and 20 times the levels
we believe are acceptable to produce a quality product that will last.
OTHER FEATURES THAT MAKE OUR PRODUCTS BETTER...
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All fitting such as nuts, bolts and table leg adjusters are stainless
steel.
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All nuts have nylon-locking inserts, which prevent the nuts from
loosening through rigorous use of the furniture, even in contract
installations.
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Nylon glides in the chair legs reduce damage to delicate floor
surfaces, allowing for both indoor and outdoor use of the furniture.
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Tables have adjusters under each leg to ensure level tables
at all times.
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Tabletops are solid and one piece, not bolted together
in sections. All tabletop surfaces are smooth, so that
even a tall wineglass
will not tip over.
- All tables 36” or larger come standard with a 2” umbrella
hole.
- We are the only cast aluminum manufacturer whose
warranty specifically covers freezing damage...
a very important
feature and benefit
on outdoor furniture.
Die Casting - Vs - Sand Casting
BUY QUALITY, NOT WEIGHT...
OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE uses a permanent mold casting process, or often referred
to as die casting. Very simply, a permanent mold can be allowed to set
as it cools. Of course, the molds we use are very big, some weighing a
few tons and require a large financial investment. Furthermore, our molds
are cooled to solidify the molten aluminum as quickly as possible, thereby
creating a superior casting with the ideal and desired microstructure for
a strong casting.
The other, more commonly used process for casting aluminum furniture components
is sand casting. Sand casting is a process whereby molten aluminum is poured
into a mold made of a specialized sand that has an impression in it. The
aluminum is poured into the impression in the sand and, over time, allowed
to cool. With the slow cooling process of the metal in a sand casting,
the aluminum does not have the same solid microstructure of the die cast
process. Often a sand casting has to be made bigger, i.e. more weight,
in order to obtain the required strength of a similar die cast part. Sand
casting of furniture parts is an extremely labor-intensive process and
usually only done in countries with low labor costs.
Casting made in permanent molds are superior because....
- There is greater dimensional accuracy, definition, and repeatability
of the designs and patterns.
- The microstructure of the aluminum is superior to that of sand casting
due to the rapid and controlled cooling of the metal in a permanent
steel mold.
This allows lighter castings of superior strength to be cast.
- Die-casting has additional advantages of shrinkage control, with
limited porosity and inclusions.
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We are here to help |
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- Our Patio Furniture Consultants are here to
assist you in selecting the perfect patio furniture
product. Call us toll free: 1 888
814-7531 to speak with one of our representatives.
They will be happy to assist
you in selecting your patio furniture set, replacement
cushions or patio accessories.
- If you don't see the product you are searching for on our website,
we can check for availability, or suggest a similar item; by suggesting
similar
product lines we may be able to save you money. We offer many patio furniture
lines that are comparable to the nationally known brands.
Our sales representatives
pride themselves in customer service.
- Custom patio sets are unique to your requirements and take longer to
manufacture and ship. It's never too early to begin the process in purchasing
long lasting, high quality outdoor patio furniture for your residential
or commercial usage. Ask about our quick ship and monthly product specials.
Patio Furniture Homepage |
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