An overview of Outdoor Furniture
May 2, 2008
The most important feature of outdoor furniture is that they should be weather proof. They have to withstand extreme weather conditions like heat, moisture and direct sunlight. Whatever be the material, it is to be maintained properly to make them durable for many years. Without protective or preventive maintenance, the outdoor furniture cannot survive too long. Teak, the tropical hardwood or oak the most popular hard wood in UK are ideal for outdoor furniture. Both the above woods are well known for their durability with minimum care and maintenance. But that does not mean that such expensive pieces are everlasting even if they are neglected. So the corollary is that the systematic maintenance can only ensure durability of the outdoor furniture.
Traditionally, wood was widely used for outdoor furniture. Even though it is expensive, there is an advantage that such pieces are admired for their aesthetic appearance. Apart from the popular woods like oak, teak and mahogany the soft wood pine also was preferred for its beauty. Pine is cheaper than other woods. Acacia, rose wood are also used for the purpose. Juniper, the evergreen shrub is commonly used to make poles for parasols. Garden and patio furniture like tables, chairs, benches, loungers, picnic tables etc are available in wood. Garden chairs, swings and umbrellas are also available in the market along with ornamental settings like gazebo, arbours, bridges and arches.
Cheaper options to furnish the outdoor facilities like garden or patio are furniture made of metal and synthetic materials. Poly wood and many other derivates of plastic are among the synthetic materials used in the manufacturing of outdoor furniture. Even though they are durable, if exposed to moisture or direct sunlight, such materials will deteriorate in the long run. Cane, fibre, rattan and wicker are other materials used in this context. But they require intensive maintenance. Wrought iron is widely used for garden and patio from the colonial days. Beautifully crafted wrought iron tables and chairs are considered as symbols of the glorious past by many. They can be found in many public parks and museums. Modern iron furniture are mainly fabricated unlike the moulded wrought iron pieces of the past. In modern days aluminium is also widely used. Granite, marble and concrete are considered as zero maintenance materials and are used from ancient periods. They are long lasting materials. But except such natural materials, all others require regular and systematic maintenance. The humidity in the atmosphere and direct sunlight will cause irreparable damage to outdoor furniture. They should be cleaned periodically. Protective coatings of paints or varnish are to be applied frequently.
Garden and patio furniture are available in many designs and colours to cater the requirements of the customers. Online dealers and websites about furniture will offer necessary guidance required in this context. There are furniture made of modern synthetic materials available in the market. The designs and colours are to be chosen to suit the ambience of the places. Price comparison sites are available for those who opt for online shopping. The online dealers offer warranty against defective materials or poor workmanship. They offer comparatively cheaper rates.
