Outdoor Furniture Materials - How to Choose the Right Metal?

Products designed for urban environments must withstand heavy use, varying weather conditions, and chemical stress. Therefore, the choice of material for outdoor furniture is a crucial factor in terms of their lifespan, maintenance-free properties, and cost-effectiveness.

Bicycle stands, waste and recycling bins, shelters, and waste bin enclosures are typically made from various metal materials, such as steel, aluminum, hot-dip galvanized steel, or stainless steel. Each material has its own strengths, and the right choice depends on the application and environmental conditions.

At Lehtovuori, material selections are always made according to the intended use. The goal is to combine durability, safety, and a long lifespan with minimal maintenance needs.

Steel

Steel is one of the most widely used industrial materials in the world, and it also forms the basis for many urban environment products. Its strength, durability, and good formability make it an excellent material for structures exposed to continuous use.

Key advantages of steel include:

• high mechanical strength
• good wear resistance
• long lifespan in outdoor use
• almost unlimited recyclability

Steel is also the most recycled material in the world, and its properties remain unchanged during the recycling process. This makes it an environmentally sustainable option.

In many Lehtovuori products, steel serves as the main material due to its strength and long life cycle.

Galvannealed Steel

Galvannealed steel is steel with a special zinc-based coating formed on its surface. This treatment improves the material's corrosion resistance and makes it particularly suitable for paintable products.

Advantages of the material include:

• excellent paint adhesion
• a smooth and durable paint finish
• good protection against rust

Lehtovuori uses galvannealed steel, for example, in its City and Ellipse product families, which combine durability and a refined appearance.

Aluminum

Aluminum is an excellent material for outdoor use, as it combines lightness, strength, and good corrosion resistance. The material is particularly well-suited for urban environments and Nordic weather conditions.

The most important properties of aluminum are:

• Light but strong material – aluminum is up to three times lighter than steel, yet extremely durable.
• Natural corrosion resistance – an oxide layer forms on the surface, protecting the material from rust.
• Good weather resistance – maintains its strength even in cold temperatures.
• Long lifespan – aluminum structures last for decades.
• Excellent recyclability – approximately 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use.
• Energy-efficient recycling – recycled aluminum requires only about 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum.

Lehtovuori products use Marine Grade EN AW 5754 marine aluminum, which withstands chemical stresses caused by, for example, road salt and household waste. This material is utilized, for example, in the Modul product family's waste shelters.

Stainless Steel (RST)

Stainless steel, often called "rosteri," is a highly corrosion-resistant metal alloy. The passive layer that forms on its surface protects the material from moisture, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations.

The most important properties of RST are:

• very good corrosion resistance
• long lifespan
• good mechanical durability
• easy to clean
• Stainless steel is particularly well-suited for marine environments and other humid conditions.

Lehtovuori uses the following grades in its products, for example:

• EN 1.4307 (AISI 304L) and EN 1.4301 (AISI 304) for outdoor use
• EN 1.4016 (AISI 430) for indoor use

Hot-dip galvanized steel – effective corrosion protection for outdoor structures

Hot-dip galvanized steel is steel whose surface is protected by a zinc layer through hot-dip galvanization. In this process, the steel is immersed in molten zinc, forming a durable and tightly adhering protective layer on the surface. This layer protects the steel from corrosion and significantly extends the material's lifespan in outdoor conditions.

Thanks to hot-dip galvanization, steel withstands moisture, varying weather conditions, and mechanical wear well. The zinc layer also acts as a so-called sacrificial protection: it protects the steel from corrosion even if small scratches occur on the surface.

The most important properties of hot-dip galvanized steel are:

• Very good corrosion resistance in outdoor conditions
• Long lifespan even in demanding weather conditions
• Low maintenance needs
• Good mechanical durability, as steel is the base material
• Cost-effective solution for large structures

Hot-dip galvanized steel is particularly well-suited for outdoor structures, such as shelters, frame structures, and other applications where both the strength of steel and good corrosion protection are required.

Material selection affects product lifecycle

In the design of street furniture, material selection is not just a technical decision. It directly affects:

• product lifespan
• maintenance needs
• preservation of appearance
• lifecycle costs

When materials are chosen correctly according to the application, products last for decades and maintain their functionality and visual appeal.

Lehtovuori's products combine high-quality metal materials, a structure designed for Nordic conditions, and a long lifespan – so that the urban environment functions and looks good year after year.

Below is a table of the properties of different metals:

Read more about other materials we use: Materials and Production