Outdoor Furniture - A Guide to Wood, Wicker, and Other Materials Today's home design favors the outdoors--decks, patios, pool bars, balconies, terraces. Nothing beats sitting back under the celebs at the top of an extended day. Particularly within the tropics, people are practically moving their homes outdoors to raised enjoy the outdoors. Of course, you cannot just whip out your old front room furniture and put it on your patio. Indoor materials won't last every week of constant sun exposure, moisture, and temperature changes. That's why outdoor furniture tends to cost more--they are designed to carry up against the weather. And since furniture is additionally decorative, manufacturers have found ways to form them durable and classy at an equivalent time. Here are a number of your options. METAL: Metal is that the obvious choice if you're after durability and performance . Most metal furniture comes with rust-resistant coating to form it suitable for outdoors. With the proper weather protection, metal furniture are often overlooked all summer or winter and still look good as new. the sole downside is its weight. A iron chair can weigh five times the maximum amount as PVC or wicker. This is often why it is best for deck and concrete patios, because it tends to sink on soft surfaces like grass, dirt, and turf. The most common outdoor metals are aluminum, steel, and iron. Aluminum is lightweight and makes for excellent folding chairs for your poolside, but if you reside during a windy area, you would possibly want to take a position in something heavier. For easier maintenance, choose a powder-coated finish because it's baked onto the metal instead of brushed on. If you would like something with more class, choose iron. Iron is formed from iron or steel bars about half an in. thick, and worked into intricate designs. It’s a classic, elegant look perfect for giant lawns, gardens, and balconies. It’s also very sturdy, so you'll leave it out all year. WOOD: Most woods can't handle outdoor exposure, but people who can are remarkably sturdy. One example is teak, a hardwood native to South and Southeast Asia . Teak has natural protective oils that make it water-resistant, and doesn't need oil or varnish to take care of its durability. it is also one among the foremost expensive; one bench can set you back $800, and a group can cost the maximum amount as $3,500. Vintage teak furniture, made up of the now-endangered old-growth teak, is one among the foremost valuable.
Cedar is another popular outdoor wood. It naturally scented and has a beautiful color and grain. it isn't as strong as teak, but if properly treated, cedar furniture can withstand rain, sun, and snow. Cedar absorbs and releases moisture slowly, which reduces the cracking and splintering which will occur in extreme temperatures. Perhaps its best feature is its scent, which is a natural insectifuge If you cannot splurge on furniture just yet, there also are less costly woods to settle on from. Eucalyptus furniture costs about 1/3 the maximum amount as teak but is simply as attractive, although it'll not last as long. Bamboo is additionally great if you wish to maneuver your furniture around, or if you are going for a breezy Asian look. Just confirm they're properly treated, and reapply the varnish periodically. WICKER: If you're after comfort and relaxation, then wicker could also be your best bet. Wicker is formed from hard woven fibers, which can be plant-based or synthetic. the most advantage of wicker is its natural "give"--it yields to the form of your body for extra comfort. The weave also makes it cool and breathable. Antique wicker is very valued by collectors and makes great patio furniture. Plastic fibers are normally used for outdoor furniture, as plant fibers are organic and can easily rot. Natural fibers are often made into loom wicker, which features a tighter weave and more resilient finish. However, wicker is usually weak and can't be left outdoors for very long. make certain to maneuver them indoors when it rains, or a minimum of to a shaded spot on extremely popular days. If you reside during a humid area with heavy rainfall, choose vinyl wicker--a synthetic variety made up of plastic strands. One problem with wicker is that dust and particles can get in between the weaves. a touch grain should not be a drag , but it can build up and damage your furniture. Dust it off once during a while with a feather duster and take away stains with a soft cloth and mild detergent. to stay out dust, try placing cushions or draping sheets over them.