Outdoor Barstools – The Right Stuff
After spending the day working behind your desk in an air-conditioned office, and riding to and from work in your car that is also air-conditioned, it is a good idea to spend some time outdoors to get some fresh air. If you are too tired for a walk, you can just sit around on your patio watching the sunset or moonrise. In the colder months, you can fire up your outdoor fireplace and enjoy the warmth and glow of the fire. You can perhaps have a glass of wine as you relax and unwind sitting next to your outdoor bar on an outdoor barstool.
Outdoor barstools, because they are exposed to the elements, are often made of materials different from those of indoor barstools. The sun can be harsh on stools that are made of wood and plastics. It can also damage leathers, fabrics, and other organic materials often used as upholstery. Its heat can break down the chemical bonds holding these materials together.
If you insist on wood barstools because of their classier look, use only wood that has been pressure-treated. This is a process where wood preservatives are forced into the inner sections of the wood making them more resistant to rotting and decay.
In the 1990s, a new type of material called Polywood Lumber was introduced and it has been gaining popularity. Polywood Lumber is actually no lumber as it is made of high-density polyethylene or HDPE, that is, it is a type of plastic. Perhaps the best thing about it is that it is made of recycled consumer bottle waste such as milk jugs and detergent bottles. Manufacturers claim that it is weather-resistant and so may be suitable for outdoor barstools.
Metals such as brass, stainless steel, and aluminum also make great material for outdoor use. All three are resistant to the effects of sun, rain, or snow. If brass is left without a lacquer coating, it can weather attractively. The fact that stainless steel has been used as cladding for the Chrysler Building attests to its endurance in the face of the elements. Aluminum is also impervious to rust and it has the advantage of being lightweight.
All these materials, however, may not be suitable for an extended stay on the barstool. You may want a cushioned seat. If so, consider those that are made of synthetic materials as they generally last longer that leather or fabric.