Jump to:
Metal garden furniture can get uncomfortably hot in the sun—particularly the frame, and even more so without cushions. Here’s what you can do to keep your set cool and better to sit in, even on the hottest days, including during heatwaves.
Yes, Metal Garden Furniture Gets Hot
Aluminium, steel, and iron materials are heat absorbers. Since they’re good conductors, the heat spreads through the entire frame. Even if only part of the metal garden chairs are in full sun, the rest of the surrounding material may end up hot too.
You’ll notice it with bare frames, from the arms to the backs and seat bases. Compare that with rattan furniture, where it might warm up but doesn’t conduct or store heat the same way. With metal, though, it’s the frame itself that becomes the problem.
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid metal furniture altogether. In fact, it’s one of the favourites due to its low maintenance and lightweight features. Just be aware that its frame gets hot, and it’s good to know how to handle it.
How to Cool Down Hot Patio Furniture
You shouldn’t have to choose between nice weather and a hot seat. Make it work for you with some of these common yet effective tips and tricks:
Move it into the shade
The most effective way to do it, especially if your setup sits in full sun all day.
Shift the table and chairs into a shaded area, even temporarily. For instance, a few feet under a tree, or near a fence or wall, to catch shade. If that’s not an option, opt for a parasol or pergola; these give you a more fixed shaded area instead.
Don’t worry about making big changes to your patio or garden layout; it doesn’t have to be permanent. Moving them during the hottest part of the day can be enough to set up your seat and enjoy the warm weather.
That’s one of the best things about metal furniture—they’re light enough to move without much effort!
Sit with cushions
Furniture cushions help on both fronts: comfort and keeping the heat off.
Metal frames aren’t inviting on their own, even when not in direct sun. They’re hard, often not shaped for comfort, and if they’ve been in the sun, that makes them even less comfortable. That’s why many sets come with cushions as standard, but if yours don’t, it’s time to consider getting them.
Lighter-coloured cushions reflect heat better, staying cooler for longer. And if they happen to have been sitting in the sun (accidentally), rotate or switch them out with a spare, if you have them.
Got dark grey or coloured cushions? It’s best to keep them shaded or throw a cover over them.
Use an outdoor furniture cover
At times when your metal garden furniture just sits on your patio and gets sun exposure, it still needs to be covered. That way, when you sit on it later, it won’t feel like it’s been baking in the sun all day. Again, light and reflective colours are best at deflecting heat.
Let it cool before sitting
If the frame is already hot, give it a few minutes to cool down before you use it. Fortunately, metal loses heat once it’s in the shade or when the sun has moved off it. You can also wipe it down with a damp cloth—but in most UK gardens, waiting a bit more does the trick. It’s a small habit, but paired with the other tips, it helps make your furniture more comfortable.
Round-up
Move your outdoor furniture set into the shade, add cushions, cover it when needed, and give it time to lose some heat. These are just a few simple ways to keep your metal garden furniture cool during hot summers or heatwaves.
If the entire outdoor space is your concern, read this guide next: How to Cool Down a Hot Patio
What do you think ?