Anodised vs. Powder-Coated Cantilever Umbrellas. What is the Difference?

When you’re shopping for premium outdoor furniture and umbrellas in New Zealand, you’ll hear a lot about different materials and finishes. We’re proud of the quality we put into every outdoor piece we sell, but you might have noticed a difference: our outdoor furniture frames are powder-coated, while our cantilever umbrellas are anodised.

This isn’t an accident. We’ve made these choices to give you the best of both worlds, ensuring each product is perfectly suited for its specific job. Let’s break down the difference, and why we stand behind both finishes in NZ’s harsh outdoor environment.

Anodising: The Heavy-Duty Choice for Outdoor Umbrellas

Let’s talk first about anodising. We’ve chosen this finish for our cantilever umbrellas because an umbrella’s job is completely different from a lounge suite’s. An umbrella pole and ribs are subject to friction from moving parts during opening and closing; anodising provides superior scratch and wear resistance against these moving parts.

So, what is anodising? 

Unlike powder-coating, which is a finish applied on top of the metal, anodising is an electrochemical process that converts the surface of the aluminium into a highly durable, corrosion-resistant layer. Think of it as hardening the surface of the aluminium itself.

An anodised aluminium post often has a semi-transparent, metallic sheen that allows the natural grain of the aluminium underneath to be visible. A common anodised look for umbrella posts is a brushed, matte, or satin metallic finish that’s very smooth to the touch and resists fingerprints.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the standard 4-step process, confirming why it’s a multi-stage operation:

1. Cleaning & Preparation: This first stage is crucial for ensuring a perfect finish. The aluminium is cleaned in a bath to remove any dirt, grease, or contaminants from the surface.
2. Etching/Desmutting: In this stage, the aluminium is submerged in a chemical bath to remove any surface imperfections and the naturally occurring oxide layer. This creates a uniform, matte finish and prepares the metal for the next step.
3. Anodising (The Anode Bath): This is the core stage. The aluminium is placed in an acid bath and an electrical current is passed through it. This is where the protective aluminium oxide layer is formed and grows on the surface.
4. Sealing: This final and very important stage “seals” the pores on the surface. By submerging the metal in a hot water or chemical bath, the pores swell and close up. This provides the robust corrosion protection that anodised products are known for.

If you really want to see how it works, click here for an industrial video showing the process!

This process gives our umbrellas some key advantages:

• Superior Scratch and Scuff Resistance: Anodising creates a hard surface treatment that’s highly resistant to the scuffing and scratching that can happen with all the moving parts of an umbrella. This keeps the frame looking pristine for much longer.

• Built-in Corrosion Protection: Because the protective layer is an integrated part of the metal, it provides superior, long-lasting resistance to corrosion, which is crucial for a product exposed to sun, rain, and salty sea air.

• Unrivalled Longevity: Anodised finishes are exceptionally durable and won’t peel, flake, or fade over time. An anodised umbrella is a true investment, built to perform and look great for many years to come.

This heavy-duty protection is exactly what an umbrella needs to stand up to the rigours of daily use in New Zealand’s tough environment.

Powder-Coating: The Perfect Finish for Your Outdoor Furniture

For our outdoor furniture, we choose a high-quality powder-coated finish. It is  a brilliant, long-lasting solution for furniture frames because it offers:

• Range of Colour Choices: Powder-coating gives us an incredible range of colours to perfectly match your style, from classic blacks and whites to modern greys and neutrals.
• A Beautiful, Smooth Finish: The curing process creates a uniform, hard, and smooth surface that looks fantastic and feels great to the touch.
• Excellent Durability: Powder-coating is incredibly tough and resistant to chipping and fading. For furniture frames that do not have moving parts, it’s the ideal protective barrier against the elements.

Our outdoor furniture is designed to be a comfortable and stylish anchor in your outdoor space, and powder-coating is the perfect finish to make it last for years.

Is Anodising Worth the Extra Cost for Cantilever Umbrellas?

While anodised umbrellas have a slightly higher price point, we believe the cost is absolutely justified. It is a product that is engineered to handle use and wear much more effectively. The enhanced durability and longevity mean you won’t need to worry about chips, fading, or wear giving you peace of mind for years to come.

Ultimately, by choosing powder-coating for our furniture and anodising for our umbrellas, we’re giving you a perfectly tailored solution for every part of your outdoor sanctuary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does anodising weaken the aluminium? No, quite the opposite. The anodising process hardens the surface of the aluminium, making it more resistant to scratches and wear without affecting its structural integrity.

Is anodising better than powder-coating in all cases? Not at all. For static applications like our beautiful furniture frames, a high-quality powder-coat is the perfect solution. It offers a beautiful finish, excellent protection, and a wide range of colours. For products with more moving parts that need maximum durability, like our umbrellas, anodising is the superior choice. We use the right finish for the job.

How can I tell the difference between an anodised and a powder-coated finish? The easiest way is to look at the post of the umbrella itself. Anodised aluminium has a deep, translucent, metallic sheen that allows the natural grain of the silvery aluminium underneath to show through. It feels incredibly smooth and uniform. Powder coating, on the other hand, is a solid, opaque layer that completely covers the underlying metal. You won’t see any of the metal grain. 

Does anodising last forever? Nothing lasts forever, but a high-quality anodised finish is as close as you can get for outdoor furniture. It’s incredibly durable and resistant to fading and corrosion for decades, far outlasting a typical powder-coated finish.

Does an anodised cantilever umbrella cost more, everything else equal? There’s no getting around it:  there will be a premium for an anodised cantilever umbrella compared with similarly sized powder-coated models.  This is due to the specialised equipment and more complex manufacturing processes required for anodising.

Just remember, thishis finish is specifically designed to handle constant use and New Zealand’s harsh climate, so your umbrella will stay looking its best and last for many years to come.

Kerry is the co-owner of Outside Space NZ, offering a range of contemporary outdoor furniture for coastal living kiwis seeking premium quality products and design at achievable prices.