When Michael Scott founded Lazy Susan in 2007, he started by conducting extensive research and product testing to establish which material was best suited to the climate here in the UK.
In those early days, after much testing and research, it quickly became apparent that Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture ticked all the boxes, and it has been the core material in our offer ever since.
Of course, there is no such thing as the perfect garden furniture material. Mother nature is harsh. No matter what material your furniture is constructed from, if you don’t protect it with a cover or store inside during the winter, it will potentially weather, and it will most certainly get dirty.
There are advantages and disadvantages, be it wood, wicker, plastic or metal. Michael’s decision was based on establishing what he felt offered the least compromise.
Michael's 4 initial criteria for the Lazy Susan collection:
- He wanted a collection that is classically styled, that wouldn’t date, and will ‘fit’ in UK homes and gardens.
- He wanted pieces that will last for 10 years or more and not just a few summers.
- He wanted pieces that are low maintenance and easy to clean.
- He wanted garden furniture that is weather resistant and can be left out in the sun, wind, rain and snow.
Have you ever owned some cheap plastic garden furniture only to watch it go flying across the garden when you get a little light breeze?
Compare that to Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture from Lazy Susan and trust me it isn't going anywhere when the wind picks up.
However, it is still light enough to pick up and move around the garden or inside during the winter months but is heavy enough to stay put on your patio. And before I explain why we think cast aluminium is the perfect material for outdoor furniture, let us clarify exactly what it is…
What is Cast Aluminium?
Cast aluminium is, in a nutshell, a metal that’s gone through one of the various processes known as casting.
Essentially, it is created when molten aluminium is poured into a die-cast, mould or sand cast to temper the metal for use in creating the components that make up a piece of garden furniture.
Of course, cast aluminium is also used for a number of other items around the home too, as well as machinery and other components that are necessary for the manufacture of a whole host of different products.
Components such as connecting rods, pistons, housings, tanks, and other ‘engine’ essentials are all created using both the die-cast and mould-casting methods.
You will find cast aluminium in everything from garden furniture and cookware to the motors of cars and ships.
Moulds are used in the casting process to enable us to create delicate and intricate shapes/designs, and the advantages of ‘casting’ the aluminium results in a material that is:
- Strong and durable
- High corrosion resistance
- Requires less machining than other metals
- Relatively low cost to produce compared to other metals
- Beautiful fine surface finish
- Lightweight
- Close tolerance
- High quality
Why buy Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture?
For some time at Lazy Susan we attempted to maintain rattan wicker garden tables and other materials but to no avail.
It was decided that the best long-term solution was to stick with metal for our garden furniture range and in particular cast aluminium, due to the numerous benefits and the qualities we were looking for.
Metal garden furniture made from cast aluminium does not rot nor does it rust, furthermore, it is relatively maintenance-free and will not need to be replaced every few years as is often the case with other materials. A quick wipe with warm soapy water every now and then will often suffice.
Our pieces are painted with a coating that further protects the metal underneath from the sun and rain. The key to longevity is to ensure that this paint is not compromised so moisture can’t get in. Stone chips in the feet of tables and chairs when placed on a stone patio for example are a common culprit. The solution is a quick touch-up with our kits as shown below:
Whilst the furniture can also be left outdoors all year round so you don’t have to worry about it getting caught in a shower (or several as is often the case here in the UK) during the summer months.
And whilst I myself leave my own Lazy Susan set outside all year round, many choose to cover them or store them indoors during the colder months when not needed. This reduces cleaning, keeps bird droppings etc off and helps to keep them looking like new for much longer.
We launched our range of furniture after spending a lot of time searching for the perfect material. Our aim was to find the best quality cast aluminium garden patio furniture on the market, built in a classic design, that would still look good in years to come.
Since we launched in March 2007 we have sold thousands of garden furniture sets, all of which have been successfully delivered to all corners of the country.
And whilst we launched Lazy Susan for a UK audience, we have found our classic styling has resonated across Europe. Our Export division has now expanded to include several foreign language websites and a dedicated customer service team.
Overall we are confident that customers will love our furniture as an alternative to cast iron garden furniture, for the main reason that it will never rust.
Iron garden furniture has that classic ‘English Country Garden’ look and is often crafted into more traditional, ornate and sometimes intricate designs. It is heavy and durable, and it can also stay outside all year, although if painted it may flake due to rust, which is an ever-present threat.
That weight is an advantage if you don’t want it to move, but it makes it extremely difficult to pick up if you do. It will also require significantly more upkeep as the paint often flakes off, and the cost is much higher than a similar cast aluminium set.
Aluminium is cast in many of the same intricate iron designs, however, without the rust, maintenance and weight issues.
Cast Aluminium Garden Tables & Chairs
We think it is fair to say that the weather in the UK is unpredictable, which is why a furniture set for the garden that can be left outdoors unprotected at all times is the ideal solution.
When you buy a cast aluminium table from us, you will be getting a top-quality outdoor piece that will require minimal maintenance and will look elegant now and long into the future.
We have a range of garden furniture sets in a range of styles and sizes to suit all requirements and budgets.
If you are simply looking for a few garden chairs to match an existing table or to augment existing Lazy Susan furniture sets then we have a number of styles to choose from.
Our popular Emma chair for example (pictured above) is available in a choice of antique bronze, slate and white and at eight kilos is a very solid chair that can be stacked away for winter storage.
If you need some Outdoor Cushions to go with the chairs then our curved back cushions are available in Stone, Blue (pictured below), Terracotta and Green, colours which we feel suit the colour of our chairs and the outside of the home.
Cast Iron Garden Furniture
There is a lot of talk in our industry and the wider home and garden community about how only garden furniture made from cast iron can have a traditional look, and that other materials are simply trying to imitate this superior metal.
However, this is simply not the case. A garden table can have a classic appearance in a range of different materials, however, some are simply harder to maintain than others.
If you have the money, time and energy to properly look after teak wood furniture for example, then you are amongst a lucky minority who can.
The majority of people who want a set of garden tables and chairs have the time to enjoy them now and again, we don’t have the climate for daily use, and not necessarily the time or inclination to maintain them properly too.
For those with a large garden who enjoy entertaining friends and family, it is certainly worth investing in a quality set of cast aluminium garden furniture though. As once you’ve spent the money and the furniture is set up nicely in your garden or on your patio, you will not have to replace it for a number of years.
In fact, once it's there, you won't have to do anything other than give it a wash every now and again with warm soapy water and enjoy it. Just keep the muck such as bird droppings and tree sap off it to keep it looking good.
Take our best-selling June Garden Dining Table Set for example (pictured above). It is a great representation of what Lazy Susan is all about in terms of style and practicality.
This particular set comes with 6 garden chairs and as with all our garden table sets, it can be further enhanced with our revolving Lazy Susans, Cushions and Parasol, to create the ultimate in outdoor dining.
Constructed from, you guessed it, cast aluminium it is weatherproof and thus you will never have to move it after it is set up as you would with cast iron garden furniture.
Wrought iron garden furniture is undoubtedly the ‘must have’ for some people, but we are confident that in time people will start to move towards cast aluminium furniture more and more. It is equally as elegant but far easier to look after and we will see more garden furniture UK stores supplying it in the years to come.
Cast Aluminium Garden Benches
For those who have already bought a nice set of garden furniture from us, or who are thinking of getting an additional piece of furniture, then our range of metal Garden Benches should be considered too. They look great on their own, but can also be pulled up to our tables if you require additional seating.
Our bestselling Jasmine Garden Bench (pictured above) features a beautiful simple weave design, and it is the perfect Bench to complement our Madison 8 Seater Rectangular Garden Tables.
Simply place it as a stand-alone item in a quiet sunny spot in your garden. Or, if a few extra friends/family pop around, the lightweight cast aluminium means you can easily pick it up and move it to the table for additional seating. Again, the Bench itself can be enhanced with our Bench Cushions in a choice of Blue, Terracotta, Green or Stone
Another popular option with Lazy Susan customers is to pair a Garden Bench or two with our low tables such as Willow or Claire (as shown above) to create a less formal (but no less classically styled) relaxed spot for drinks and a book.
Lazy Susan Cast Aluminium Metal Garden Furniture
All our garden furniture is supplied flat packed and can be easily assembled in about twenty minutes.
Flatpack is often perceived as lower in quality but this is nonsense. Being self-assembly is for 3 main reasons:
- It allows us to deliver the furniture direct to your front door easily and safely.
- It gives you the option to disassemble and reassemble. For example, you can remove the table legs from the top to store and take up significantly less space in your shed or garage.
- Our assembly process is quick and painless. There are just a few simple steps to enjoy your garden furniture. We supply clear parts and instructions, and you’ll find assembly videos on our YouTube channel.
Our aluminium patio furniture will make for a lovely addition to your outdoor area. Whatever you’re looking for, at lazy Susan we are confident you won’t be disappointed with our furniture.
All Season Garden Furniture
People have different ideas as to what constitutes a good quality set of garden furniture. Some would argue the most important aspect of it is the style and design. Others voice the opinion that it’s the materials used that are really crucial to the make-up of garden furniture.
We agree with both points of view and have attempted to combine classic, timeless design with quality materials. Of course, you could find similar iron garden furniture, and we would not dissuade you from going out and buying it if you are of the opinion that your new garden furniture has to be made from iron.
However, if you are undecided, or simply open-minded, then we would urge you to weigh up the pros and cons of cast aluminium garden furniture over iron or even plastic and timber.
Compare styles on our Metal Garden Furniture UK Website with those sold in iron etc and then decide what’s best for you.
We are confident that our styles and designs are at least as attractive as what you may find elsewhere, and we would hope you’d find our garden tables suitable for your garden, deck or patio.
Cast aluminium is the ideal material for outdoor furniture... It is strong, it won’t rust, and it retains its good looks through blistering summer heat (we should be so lucky), British thunderstorms, and rampaging children. Quality aluminium furniture is durable and can last for a decade or more. It is lightweight, making it easy to move around the garden or indoors and it requires minimal maintenance.
Of course, it is an investment piece, you’re paying for a quality product, but you are getting so much more than you paid for. It is truly distinctive and elegant and features classic designs with roots in the cast-iron stylings of the late 19th century. Cast aluminium is undeniably chic and elegant. While its beauty is striking, its demeanour is classic and understated.
At Lazy Susan we have pieces available for seating, dining and lounging. Much like tubular aluminium, the cast variant is also amazingly durable and easy to maintain.
Quality cast-aluminium furniture can be costly when priced against plastic and synthetic resin garden furniture and is not for the homeowner that craves the latest fad and a new look every few seasons.
However, if you’re looking for outdoor furniture that combines timeless good looks with modern materials, then we guarantee that Lazy Susan’s Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture range will add the ‘wow’ factor to your garden and patio.
