Knowing the expected lifespan is essential before purchasing an outdoor water feature or statue.

The installation of your resin fountain was thrilling and worthwhile. It was quite pretty in your garden. Colors became less vibrant as the summer progressed. Hailstorms in the spring caused chips and peeling. Your happiness has dwindled as the resin fountain, once so precious, has broken down.

Epoxy plastics include polyresin, often known as alabastrite or resin. “Hong Tze” and “Liberty Bronze” refer to resin goods. Water fountains, statues, birdbaths, furniture, and stepping stones are just a few outdoor resin products on the market.

Gardecor®, LLC conducted weather testing on some resin products sold for use in the yard and garden. Within a year, they saw that the tested resin products had already begun to crack, peel, and fade. Even in the summer heat, the resin in some goods warped. Long-lasting fountains and statues made from resin have not yet been discovered. Unfortunately, modern resin technology has not yet produced a high-quality polyresin product that can withstand the elements for an extended period, except for items meant for use on a covered porch.

Knowing how a water fountain, statue, bird feeder, or another outdoor object will age over time is essential when shopping for it. Some often-used materials can withstand the elements for a long time.

Brass and the other Bronzes.
Aluminum.
Stone Concrete Castings.
Fiberglass.
Cast iron and COR-TEN® steel are two types of iron.
Marble.
This metal is as heavy as lead.
Treasures made of bronze or brass can be passed down through the ages. Submerged archaeological sites have yielded bronze artwork dated to the B.C. That’s some serious time!
When exposed to the elements, bronze gradually acquires a beautiful patina (surface finish) over time. Take a peek at the bronze sculptures in your neighborhood park. Bronze and brass, due to their metal makeup, can age to a variety of colors, including blues and greens (from copper and nickel) and yellows (from iron).

The aging process is gradual and extends over several years. Statues made of bronze and brass age similarly, but not identically. The patina acquired by each object will be unique. Because copper is the most abundant element in bronze and brass, the two metals can appear chemically identical.

Brass is made of zinc, while bronze contains tin. Tiny amounts of other metals may also contribute to the final hue. The addition of tin to bronze makes it more durable than brass, but the average homeowner will never know the difference. Hardware and fixtures made of brass are reliable. In its purest form, bronze can cost three to four times as much as brass. That’s why certain fountains and statues found in public spaces are made of brass coated in bronze.

Colorful patinas on bronze are what you should seek out. While other methods can offer your artwork rich blues, reds, and vivid yellows, gold foil can give your picture brilliant oranges.

One more thing to remember when working with bronze. Try to find the ones that were made using the lost-wax technique. The lost-wax method is more time-consuming, but the resulting casts are seamless, unlike those from other casting processes.

Aluminum. Since aluminum is lighter than bronze, it may be sent for less money. Aluminum deteriorates more quickly than bronze or brass when exposed to the elements. Because of this, you won’t find any aluminum fountains or statues in public spaces or front of any major corporations. Clear acrylic floor wax is an excellent choice for protecting your aluminum furniture.

Cast stone is commonly used for outdoor water fountains, statuaries, and birdbaths due to its durability, striking look, and inability to be blown over by even the strongest hurricanes. Cast-stone classical statues evoke the classical Greek era. Some producers have introduced long-lasting colored surface treatments.

Great in the south, cast stone concrete can crack in the north due to water freezing and thawing in cracks. During the colder months, you may need to drain the water from the fountain bowl and cover it. Because most statues don’t have enormous bowls, they can usually survive the winter. Cast stone, if properly formulated, can endure freezing temperatures for more than a decade.

Backyard fountains and statues are rarely made out of fiberglass. Few people have experience purchasing a fiberglass statue for decor. Glass fibers are much more resistant to damage than resin. Getting the surface finish right for long-term use is difficult, but some companies have succeeded. The fiberglass construction also makes it difficult to achieve fine details. The final touches are typically added to the surface coating. Giant fiberglass statues can be found in amusement parks and other areas because they don’t require a crane for installation or removal.

Items made from iron and steel. In the outdoors, rust can act as a protective coating. Iron objects should be on your radar if you’re searching for an old or antiqued look for your outdoor space. Iron is more fragile than bronze. Hence it is rarely utilized for monumental sculptures like fountains. Powder coating iron and steel is an effective way to prevent rust and add durable color.

Marble statues and fountains are highly prized due to each piece’s uniqueness and creative worth. Not all marble is indeed created equal. When left outside, marble sculptures mature in a way that bronzes do not. The marble becomes a living work of art when moss and other small plants colonize it. The surface’s texture can alter depending on how much acid rain falls. The freeze-thaw cycle of winter can cause it to break, just like concrete. Marble requires the same cautious approach as cast stone. If you want to protect the original finish of your marble, keep it inside.

This metal is as heavy as lead. The timeless, antique quality of wall fountains and decorative plaques is a big draw for many designers and architects. Unlike aluminum, information may get darker with age and doesn’t rust. Due to the metal’s softness, fountain bowls may require occasional reshaping with light taps from a soft mallet. Lead products require particular caution. To stop lead from entering the environment, keep the surface well-maintained with a clear wax or acrylic coating.

Know the properties of the materials you intend to acquire before you display heirloom artwork or re-design your outdoor space annually with resin.

What makes wrought iron different from ornamental ironwork is a topic we’ll get into next time, along with other materials utilized in outdoor lawn, garden, and patio furniture.

Gardecor®, LLC’s buyer and product expert is Shella R. Dee. She is in charge of picking durable outdoor equipment. Shella’s background in chemistry and biochemistry gives her insight into the materials’ underlying science. You may check out the outdoor furnishings she selected for her customers and yourself at Gardecor®,

linda