Question from Stacey
Hi Debra,
I just bought an outdoor dining set, but am now having second thoughts if I want my children eating/sitting on it. The table is “resin wood with white paint finish,” and the chairs are “steel/iron tube with white powdercoat finish” and made in China.
When I asked a customer service rep at Crate and Barrel what the table was made of, one person said it was polypropylene. I do know the canopy is made of polypropylene with brass grommets. Would you recommend this set or cancel because it is too toxic?
There are other sets made of cheaper materials. One dining set (table and chairs) is made of “rustproof aluminum with a powdercoat finish.” Another set is made of “extruded polysterene with UV antioxidant protection,” and other set is made of “resin wicker.” Would you recommend/use any of these sets?
Of course my favorite is the teak dining set which is much more expensive, but at least it is safe for my children ( I do wonder about the Teak protective oil they recommend to preserve the color)…
If you would only recommend the natural wood to dine on, then I would find a way to get the teak. I trust your recommendations and am grateful for all your great research!
Thanks so much!
Debra’s Answer
If it were my backyard, I’d get the natural wood and be careful about the “teak oil.” Looking for a recommendation about this, I found one article that said it doesn’t have the strength to hold up to the harsh outdoor environment. It is also known to attract fungus and mold. This article actually had no recommendations for teak protection.
I had an unfinished solid wood table in my backyard for about twenty-five years before it fell apart, but that’s what wood does. It biodegrades.
Now, if you are not going to do solid wood, your “resin wood with white paint finish” is probably fine. And the steel/iron tube with white powdercoat finish is definitely fine. Polypropylene is made from petroleum, but not particularly toxic.
“Rustproof aluminum with a powdercoat finish” would also be fine.
I’d stay away from the “extruded polystyrene with UV antioxidant protection,” and “resin wicker…” well, we don’t know really what that is.
Cast iron and glass is a good choice for outdoors. It’s long-lasting and not toxic.
