His new source of resin was exciting and rewarding. It looked beautiful nestled in your garden. As summer progressed, the color faded. The spring hail chipped it and now it’s peeling. Your delight diminished as the once prized source of resin deteriorated.

polyresin, also known as alabastrite or resin, is a member of the epoxy-plastic family. “Hong Tze” and “Liberty Bronze” are also resin products. Resin products are commonly sold for outdoor use such as water features, statues, birdbaths, furniture, and steps.

Certain resin products marketed for outdoor lawn and garden use have been weather tested by Gardecor®, LLC. They found that the resin products under test cracked, peeled and discolored within a year. Some resin products even warped in the summer sun! No reliable resin product, such as fountains or statues, suitable for long-term outdoor use has yet been found. Resin technology has not advanced to the point of providing a good polyresin product suitable for long-term outdoor use, unless the item is used on a covered porch.

When looking for an outdoor water feature, statue, bird feeder, or other outdoor feature exposed to the elements, it’s wise to know what it will look like in the future. Here are some common materials suitable for long-term outdoor use.

• Bronzes, including brass.
• Aluminum.
• Cast stone concrete.
• Fiberglass.
• Iron: Cast Iron and COR-TEN® Steel.
• Marble.
• Lead metal.

Bronze and Brass they can last long enough to be passed down from generation to generation as family treasures. Bronze art dating to BC has been discovered in underwater archaeological sites. That’s a lot of time!

Left out in the open, the bronze family continually develops a dazzling patinated (surface finish). Just look around your local park at the bronze statues. Depending on the composition of the metal, bronze and brass can age to beautiful blues and greens (from copper and nickel), yellows (iron), and other colors.

Aging does not happen immediately, but takes decades. Bronze and brass statues age the same way, but not exactly the same way. Each piece will have a unique patina. Bronze and brass can have the same general appearance because copper is the predominant metal in both.

Bronze contains tin while brass contains zinc. Other metals are present in small amounts and can contribute to color. Tin makes bronze harder than brass; however, the owner will not be able to tell the difference. Brass is strong enough for hardware and accessories. Pure bronze can be 3-4 times more expensive than brass. That’s why some outdoor fountains and statues are made of brass with a bronze patina.

If you want color, look for bronze with a patina of color. Gold foil can give bright oranges to artwork, while other techniques can impart bright deep blues, reds, and yellows to your piece.

One more note on the casting of bronze statues. Look for those made using the lost wax method. Although more arduous, the lost wax method produces seamless parts that are seen in other casting methods.

Aluminum. Aluminum is preferred to be lighter than bronzes because transportation is cheaper. Exposed to the elements, aluminum does not resist as well as bronze or brass. That’s probably why you don’t see aluminum fountains or statues in parks or in front of corporate buildings. You can maintain your piece of aluminum by coating it with a clear acrylic floor wax.

molten stone It is popular for outdoor water fountains, statues, and birdbaths because of its strength, bold appearance, and, barring a hurricane, it won’t topple over. Classical cast stone statues are reminiscent of Greek antiquity. Some manufacturers have developed colored surface finishes that last.

Cast stone concrete is excellent in the southern states, however, in the northern states, it is susceptible to freezing and thawing of water in small cracks. You may need to dry out the fountain bowl and cover it during the freezing months. The statues tend to withstand winters because they don’t have bowls that hold a large volume of water. Properly formulated, cast stone can withstand more than 10 winters.

fiberglass it is less commonly used for statues and backyard fountains. Not many consumers are familiar with fiberglass for a decorative statue. Fiberglass does not crack or break as easily as resin. The surface finish is difficult to apply for long-term use, but some manufacturers have had success with it. Fine details are also difficult to achieve with the fiberglass frame. Detailing is usually done with the surface coating. You’ll see huge fiberglass statues at amusement parks and other places because it’s not only strong, but also lightweight and easy to move without a crane.

Iron and steel products. Rust can provide a protective surface for exterior decoration. Iron products should be considered if you want a weathered or distressed exterior decor. Iron is more brittle than the bronzes and is used less frequently for statues and water features. Iron and steel can be powder coated to prevent rust and add long-lasting color.

Marble The statues and water fountains are valued for the artistic sculpture and the uniqueness that each piece of marble imparts. Some marbles are harder than others. Outdoors, marble tends to age differently than bronzes. Moss and small plants can make a home in marble, making it a true living work of art. Depending on the amount of acid rain, the surface texture can change over time. As with concrete, it can crack in the winter’s ice and thaw. The same care should be taken with marble as with cast stone. Marble should be used indoors to preserve the original finish.

Lead metal. Wall fountains and decorative plaques are preferred by many designers and architects due to their traditional antique quality. Lead can get darker as it ages and is not prone to weathering like aluminum is. It is a very soft metal and fountain bowls may need periodic reshaping with careful tapping with a soft mallet. Care should be taken when handling lead products. Maintaining the surface with a clear wax or acrylic coating can help prevent lead from leaching into the environment.

Regardless of what you decide, redesign your exterior each year with resin or display heirloom artwork, make sure you know the characteristics of the materials used before you buy.

Next time, we’ll look at what you need to know about materials used in outdoor, garden, and patio furniture, and discuss the difference between real wrought iron and ornamental iron.