There is no doubt that modern manufacturing methods make for some nice looking aluminum patio furniture so if you are after some outdoor furniture it wouldn't hurt for you to have another look. You can buy it in sets or even individual pieces so you can mix and match to get the look you want. A nice three or four piece bistro set will give you that elegant European cafe look or if you prefer clean lines glass top tables are also readily available.
So what are some of the reasons you would pick aluminum outdoor furniture out of other types of material? There a quite a few advantages to Aluminum as a material for furniture. First of all it's very malleable, making it easier to cast or extrude. Other reasons are that it is non-toxic, doesn't rust, create sparks and is non-magnetic making it suitable for a wide variety of environments.
You would be hard pressed to find a material that is just about maintenance free. It can be kept clean with a quick spray of the hose and you'll never have to apply a stain to bring back its color and sheen.
Even really dirty aluminum furniture will get clean again with some mild soap and warm water. Giving it a wipe with a good quality automotive polish will even bring back its original shine. Dealing with a spill straight away is the best way to avoid any staining.
Aluminum patio furniture is manufactured with one of two methods, the cast or frame. You get cast aluminum furniture by liquefying aluminum and then pouring it into a mold which has the shape of the desired piece. This method creates nice designs similar to wrought iron pieces without the fear of rust. It looks good but just not as detailed as the more expensive pieces of cast iron furniture as it can lack the detail of these pieces.
Furniture constructed with and aluminum frame will either have a sturdy aluminum mesh attached to it or heavy duty material. The frames will be made as hollow or tubes or solid rods. Using the frame method makes it impossible to get the intricate designs of course. However it is cheaper and can last forever with care.
You will notice that cast aluminum pieces are becoming more popular due to its relatively light weight, easy maintenance and lower price range. It has all of these advantages while still maintaining an attractive and relaxed outdoor setting.