Cast Iron Patio Furniture

Lily Wright | Feb 10, 2021

There are a lot of reasons to go for cast iron patio furniture: it's fairly inexpensive and durable; it will lend a certain air of vintage industrial charm to your yard and it doesn't require a lot of upkeep. When you're looking for comfortable, long-lasting pieces to place on your porch, that's the gold standard (or the iron one, if you will).

Furniture that's made of cast iron (as opposed to, say, wrought iron) is made of metal that has been melted down, poured into a specific mold, and then allowed to cool. When contrasted with wrought-iron pieces, those that have been worked by tools, there's a fundamental density and durability that the casting process gives its pieces. Your cast-iron patio furniture will never break.

Why? Cast iron is far harder, making it a good choice for outdoor contexts. It may not be as delicate, but for durability, cast iron simply cannot be beat.

When selecting a good set of porch pieces made from cast iron, you'll want to look for the following attributes:

An inset stamp or mark from its manufacturer; this will help trace a piece's provenance, particularly if you're purchasing vintage.
Extreme heaviness: If it isn't very heavy, it's probably not true cast iron.
Extravagant ornamentation: Because cast iron utilizes a mold and doesn't have to be sculpted fresh each time, cast iron pieces are often far more ornamented than their wrought iron counterparts.

While cast iron pieces can definitely be worth the investment, you'll also need to be aware that they do have some downsides.

Firstly, as mentioned above, cast iron is heavy. Once you install a piece in your yard, you won't want to move it again. This can make flexibility for those who love to redecorate more difficult.
Secondly, cast iron pieces are prone to rusting, as they're made of iron (a material that oxidizes easily). If they're in a part of your yard that gets a lot of moisture, that will only happen faster. You'll need to coat your furniture often to keep it safe.

Consider these pieces for inspiration around your home!

LAZZO 4 Pieces Patio Furniture Set, Modern Outdoor Garden Patio Conversation Bistro Sets Cast Iron Metal Frame Chairs with Coffee Table &Tray Metal End Table for Porch Poolside Lawn Balcony, Pink

This gorgeous bubblegum-pink 4-piece bistro set has the scrolled accents to add whimsical flair to any porch or patio. Its smooth surface is safe and easy to maintain; the bases of each piece are coated with an anti-slip covering so you can be confident in your seating.

Gently-curved legs, a UV-resistant patina, and a design featuring a very traditional openwork back: This garden bench is designed to live outside. It’ll help you do so, too, with a wide base perfect for one person snuggling with a book, or two people enjoying the fresh outside air.

Giantex 3 Piece Bistro Set Cast Rose Design Antique Outdoor Patio Furniture Weather Resistant Garden Round Table and Chairs w/Umbrella Hole (Rose Design)

Cast iron and aluminum: The double metal crafting ensures that these pieces are as strong and rust-resistant as they are decorative. The garden table comes equipped with a handy umbrella hole for convenient shading - and each of the chairs has a cupped seat for a modern ergonomic feel, even with the vintage styling of the set.

Patio Premier 217004 3pc Outdoor Rose Garden Bistro Set, Cast Iron and Aluminum Frame, White

A doily-like finish, an easy-maintain patina, and a dainty table perfect for afternoon tea: This cast iron bistro set features roses for a romantic addition to your garden atmosphere. All of the hardware is included to put together this set quite easily - and each leg of the set comes with an anti-slip pad for safe use.

Encanto Rose Cast Iron and Cast Aluminum Garden Bench

Looking for that vintage Victorian garden look? This white-powder-coated cast-iron bench will look gorgeous on your porch, lending a timeless, classic appeal to your patio. Its coat gives it UV, water, and rust resistance; however, even though it looks dainty, it does weigh over 400 pounds. Place it with care!

Different bench, different vibe: This Baroque piece features intricate scrollwork, making it a good piece to juxtapose with simple, modern lines. Its soft curves make it comfortable. It’s large enough to seat two people easily, and the dense material it’s made out of means that you can enjoy it for years to come.

If you’d rather something that celebrates nature in an out-of-the-ordinary way, this cast-iron bench features the wings of a Monarch butterfly in detailed ironwork over the back of the bench. The rest of the bench features breathable lattice to really let this conversation piece shine. (It’s also water-resistant!)

Sometimes, cast-iron can read heavy and immovable, to the point where it’s no longer practical. With these light, slim, and foldable scrollwork chairs, you can have the beauty of cast-iron with the ease of a modern chair! This two-set of chairs and a minimal table is perfect for smaller patios or for entertainers.

For those favoring industrial vibes with a bit of modern softness, this cast-iron bistro set is the way to go. It features high backs and arms for the chairs, slatted seats and tabletop, and curved legs that look delicate but are as durable as pure stone.