Does aluminum get hot in the sun?

Does outdoor furniture made of coloured aluminium get hot in the sun?

Coloured aluminium outdoor furniture will get hot in the sun. This is because coloured aluminium itself has a certain heat-absorbing ability, the coloured coating on its surface will absorb the heat from the solar radiation, and the aluminium has good thermal conductivity, which can quickly transfer the absorbed heat to all parts of the furniture, resulting in an increase in the overall temperature. For example, in the case of direct sunlight in summer, after a period of time, the surface temperature of coloured aluminium outdoor furniture will be significantly higher than the surrounding air temperature, and it will be warm or even hot when touched.

Is it good for outdoor furniture made of coloured aluminium to become hot in the sun?

Whether or not it is a good thing for coloured aluminium outdoor furniture to get hot in the sunlight needs to be judged from different perspectives and usage scenarios:

From the point of view of using experience

In most cases, it is not a good thing: in hot weather, the colourful aluminium outdoor furniture becomes hot, which will make people feel uncomfortable when using it. For example, when a person sits on a coloured aluminium chair that becomes hot, he or she will feel hot on the buttocks, which affects the experience of rest and relaxation.

Benefits in specific scenarios: in cold seasons or regions, coloured aluminium outdoor furniture becomes hot after absorbing the sun's heat, which can bring warmth to the user to a certain extent and increase the comfort of sitting and lying outdoors, so that people can enjoy the sunshine more comfortably.

From the perspective of furniture maintenance

It is usually unfavourable: prolonged heating in the sun will accelerate the aging and fading of the colour coating on the surface of coloured aluminium outdoor furniture. The high temperature will make the chemical substances in the coating change, reducing the adhesion and durability of the coating, leading to damage to the appearance of the furniture, affecting the aesthetics and shortening the service life of the furniture.

Occasionally, it has a positive effect: in some humid environments, sunlight exposure makes the furniture hot which helps the evaporation of water and reduces the possibility of rust and corrosion on the surface of the furniture due to humidity, which has a positive effect on the maintenance of the furniture.

Aluminium as a metal has excellent thermal conductivity, which means that it is a good conductor of heat. In other words, your coloured aluminium outdoor furniture will be hot to the touch in direct sunlight. This may seem like a disadvantage at first, but most outdoor materials, even wood, get hot in the summer sun.

One of the major advantages of aluminium over other materials such as wood and resin is that it is not damaged by the sun's UV rays. Admittedly, aluminium may be slightly hot to the touch, but it won't fade or crack at high temperatures. Garden furniture with good thermal conductivity will still get hot when exposed to the sun in warm weather, but it will also give off heat the fastest. This prevents the furniture from becoming overheated, and is especially important for surfaces that come into direct contact with the skin, such as chairs and deckchairs!

Coloured aluminium outdoor furniture can also be exposed to different temperatures throughout the day, and thermal conductivity helps prevent the material from deteriorating or warping due to extreme temperature changes. For example, if there is a sudden downpour of rain on a hot day and your garden table and chairs are exposed to the cooler rain, materials such as timber can be problematic as they can easily crack or bend. Other materials and metals tend to retain heat for longer periods of time, making them more uncomfortable to touch in hot weather. Outdoor furniture with a lower thermal conductivity, such as cast aluminium furniture, retains heat for a shorter period of time. By moving it out of direct sunlight and placing it in the shade, it will cool down faster.

How hot does coloured aluminium outdoor furniture get in the sun?

How hot coloured aluminium outdoor furniture gets in the sun depends on a number of factors and there are several ways to minimise them to keep it cool:

Colour:

Our aluminium is painted to further protect the metal and give it a beautiful finish, but the colour can also affect how much heat it gets. Dark aluminium furniture, such as our black bronze furniture, tends to absorb more heat than white furniture, as lighter colours reflect sunlight and heat better.

Finish

The type of finish on an aluminium surface also affects how it reacts to sunlight. Finishes used that are slightly textured or matte dissipate heat more effectively than glossy or polished surfaces.

Exposure:

Of course, the biggest factor affecting how much heat a metal is exposed to is the amount of direct sunlight the furniture receives. Aluminium furniture can be hot to the touch in strong sunlight at 20 degrees Celsius and above.

How do I keep my coloured aluminium outdoor furniture cool in the sun?

Although aluminium can get hot in the height of summer, it doesn't usually retain as much heat as other materials or metals such as steel and iron tend to do.  Additionally, aluminium is lighter in weight, making it easier to reposition furniture in the shade of your patio or garden if needed. If the heat is a concern, there are some simple steps you can take to keep cool this summer:

1. Cushions

Place suitable cushions on your chairs to create a barrier between the aluminium and your skin, making the seating more comfortable.

2. Shading

Consider placing your furniture in the shade on your patio, or pair our garden tables with parasols or other shade such as gazebos or awnings to reduce direct sunlight.

3. Accessories

Choose light coloured accessories such as our stone cushions or white linen tablecloths as they reflect more sunlight and heat better.

4. Time of day

Try using your garden furniture at times when the sun is not too strong, such as in the morning or late afternoon/evening.  Remember that all outdoor furniture, no matter what material it is made of, gets hot in direct sunlight.