Metal lattice garden chair?

I don't know what the proper name for those metal lattice garden chairs is. The ones that tend to be painted white, and I think the metal might be aluminium?

My question is, what are the advantages and disadvantages of them? Can you leave them out in the garden in all weather without them rusting? Does the lattice allow light to reach plants underneath them, or stop less light getting to nearby plants?

I am wanting some sort of chair for a very small space that is tightly packed with plants, and just about has enough space for a chair and a person's legs. Light is at an absolute premium. I already have a fold up chair, which is ok but it is a bit fiddly to fold and unfold and I tend not to use it, I want to sit there for short periods when I feel like it, without the hassle of fiddling with the fold up chair, which isn't so good aesthetically either. I am starting to want my little garden to look nice, and have started re-arranging things. I eventually got a water butt, then realised how much light it takes away from plants, so that some plants absolutely can't grow next to it. It is very nice having a water butt though, but I don't want some big clumsy chair that takes a lot of light away.

My other question about those metal lattice garden chairs, are they comfortable to sit on? My fold up chair actually is comfortable, but is fiddly to fold and unfold, doesn't look so nice, and can't be left outside without rusting.

 

I have two patio sets of the lightweight, probably cast aluminium, chairs with lattice seats and backs and find them very good. Mine are gunmetal grey but I think you can get white ones.

They stay out all year round and haven't rusted yet. Best of all the wind just whistles through them and they don't blow over! Also good is the fact that the seats don't hold water but might just need a wipe over before sitting down. Ours are part of a set with matching small table and are probably over ten years old now. They are comfy for an hour or two's sitting I'd think. I don't tend to sit down for long as there's too much in the garden to do.

 

I've got no experience of these but aluminium will never rust.
Only thing I think could be a problem is they could be brittle.

 

Thanks, this gives me a much better idea of what I am looking for. I have had a look around and these beautiful cast aluminium garden chairs seem to come in sets and I absolutely don't have space for more than one, and the cheaper chairs they sell singly look ugly. The cast aluminium ones are very expensive and very beautiful, maybe I will look around second hand sources to just get one.

I too find it hard to simply sit in the garden and always have to be walking around looking at my plants and doing things.

 

@groundbeetle please show us some pictures of what you're hoping to get - I always like to imagine other people's elegant gardens! Have you thought of one of those 2 seater ones if you could fit it in? They are more likely to be sold singly.

 

I bought this set about 20 yrs ago from Argos - I think it was £99

It's not deteriorated over the years and is on the patio all year.
It seems to be made of some sort of man-made composite.
The bronze effect is laminate. A little bit has peeled off the back of one of the chairs to reveal a grey coloured material.

 

That is a good idea, to try to find pictures of what I am hoping to find, and collect them together. I like the ones with curly gothic ironwork effect, but anything dark grey to black in that style would do fine. I wouldn't have any use for a 2 seater, it would be less comfortable to sit on and take up too much space, the space available is really tiny, and if anything 2 single chairs would be better than a 2 seater, though 1 single chair is infinitely better than 2. If I need extra seating temporarily there is always the folding chair, and the plants get pushed aside.

I like to sit in the garden for very short periods, and can never be bothered opening up the folding chair, and then folding it up again and taking it inside so it isn't left out in the rain, and I am starting to care what the flowers look like so want something that isn't ugly and can be part of the garden. It is a tiny space, but I have made a big effort to declutter it and the flowers look best against dark coloured pots. Especially in winter some of the architectural shapes of plants, and their colours, are things I like to look at.

 

I bought these in a sale because I like the twisted stem look. It's composite, but is for commercial use so I'm hoping it will last.
https://adexa.co.uk/image/cache/catalog/Adexa/WW030GREY-1500x1500.jpg

 

I hope you find a single chair @groundbeetle, second hand sources (car boot sales) might well yield one at a good price if you are lucky.