We recently looked at the suitability of our collection for wood or composite decking, so this month we want to take a closer look at the most popular patio surface and discuss if metal garden furniture is also a good choice for block, brick, paved or flagstone patios.
Be it concrete, pavers, brick, block setts, flagstone, stone tiles, sandstone, slate, porcelain tiles, granite, limestone, etc, whilst each material has unique characteristics and style, the impact they will have on, and in turn, the impact garden furniture will have on each surface, is much the same.
Yes, some are rougher or more uneven or more hard-wearing than others, for example, but they are all a solid surface that’s low maintenance, environmentally sound, strong, weatherproof, will add value to your home, easy to design with, easy to repair, easy for a professional to lay and available in a wide range of styles and finishes.
What many of the block, brick, paved or flagstone patios also have in common is a rough and often porous surface that could potentially chip or damage some types of garden furniture or become marked by it when it is moved.
However, at Lazy Susan, our metal garden furniture range is meticulously designed for all outdoor surfaces, be it wood, grass, gravel or stone, with a little common sense, it will sit on whatever your patio is made from with no problems.
Our classically styled furniture looks fantastic on a natural stone patio and - as shown in the customer photograph above of our Mia 4-seater set in slate - it is 100% safe to do so for both the patio surface and the feet of our garden tables and chairs.
Let us look at the reasons why and at how you can ensure that your own patio surface and furniture are both safe and protected.
Our metal garden furniture is lightweight
One of the reasons we designed our collection in cast aluminium is weight, and this has a number of benefits over other metals and other popular materials such as resin, timber or rattans.
Firstly, it has enough weight to make the pieces feel substantial. And by substantial we mean it feels of a high quality that won’t blow over in a breeze.
But secondly, and most importantly when it comes to the patio surface, it is not so heavy that you can’t easily pick the chairs and tables up and move them. Even our large 6+ seater tables can be picked up and moved by two people without breaking your back.
One of the most common ways you can mark or damage block, brick, paved or flagstone patio is when garden chairs are moved in and out as we sit. The lighter the chair, the less likely we are to drag or it is to leave a mark.
Our metal garden furniture has a durable painted finish
Our collection is constructed from high-grade sand-cast aluminium, and the big advantage here is that it will not rust like other metals.
Raw aluminium if left exposed to the elements would "pit", which creates a white chalky residue that would not stain a stone, brick, paved or flagstone patio. With other metals such as iron and steel, if rust does form, then you could get some pretty unsightly orange stains on your patio that will be tricky to remove.
Fortunately, most metal furniture sold in the UK is protected or treated. Our range has a durable painted finish applied to the metal that not only gives the collection its beautiful trademark finish (our Antique Bronze is shown in the close-up of our Ella metal garden bistro table above), it also creates a durable weatherproof barrier that protects the metal from moisture.
Our metal garden furniture is supplied with protective feet
Most importantly though, when it comes to the primary reason why our metal garden furniture is perfect for block, brick, paved or flagstone patios, each chair comes fitted with plastic feet pads (pictured below) to fully protect both the paintwork from chipping and your patio surface from marking.
The plastic pads are also screw-in (as shown in the photo below) so they can be adjusted for uneven patio surfaces, which is common, especially with natural stone and textured pavers.
If you find a stone chip in your metal garden furniture
To be honest, most of the solid surface stone patios in the UK have a relatively smooth/lightly textured finish, so you can easily slide our metal garden chairs in and out without any issue.
Even those with a coarser finish or texture are more likely to just leave a little stone dust/debris on the plastic feet pads, which is easy to just brush off than actually chip the paint.
The most common cause of scratches and chips on our garden furniture is dropped tableware or cutlery. However, as we mentioned above, each piece of metal is sprayed with several coats of specialist paint and this durable finish is designed to be left outside in all weather, so it is pretty tough stuff.
That said, it still pays to be vigilant as our paintwork is what protects the cast aluminium from moisture. If a foot pad was to come loose or the chair tilted back too far and dragged, for example, then it could accidentally get scuffed on your patio.
Whilst this is an extremely rare occurrence, it has happened, so we have a how-to guide that has a little more info on how our furniture is made and how easy it is to touch up any chips in your paintwork with our touch-up kits (shown above)
How to protect your block, brick, paved or flagstone patio
The best way to protect your patio from garden furniture and vice versa is just to keep them both clean and well-maintained:
- Sweep Up
Regularly sweep up any debris or loose stones as this is one of the main culprits when they get caught and dragged across the surface. Removing weeds is also essential but you must fill any gaps left in joints, especially if they are filled with sand. A yearly jet wash is also advisable. - Seal It
A good quality patio or paver sealer for natural stone is a great way to add a little extra protection. It will help minimise marking and weather damage to keep it looking like new and help protect it from any staining from things like suncream or BBQ grease. - Additional Protection
If you are concerned about the furniture itself marking the patio as it is moved about, then the best solution is to look for some type of additional protection such as furniture glides, caps, cups or extra felt pads that you can apply to the plastic foot pads. With our garden chairs, there is no need to worry though. To prevent chips in the feet and damage to the patio, we supply the previously mentioned screw-in plastic pads. - Use Outdoor Rugs
Place a garden rug under your garden furniture to protect your patio floor from scratches and scuffs. You can choose a stylish outdoor rug that complements your patio décor. - Pick Up Furniture
Keep your metal garden furniture away from the edges of your patio as this is often a spot where you can damage the furniture and the bricks or pavers. If you're moving your garden chairs and table around the patio, try not to drag them along the patio surface.
Are you looking for new Metal Garden Furniture?
Lazy Susan can get you set for Summer 2023... You and your guests can dine in style on our beautifully crafted, maintenance-free garden furniture sets.
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