Outdoor Furniture Ideas - Advice and Ideas on Choosing
Outdoor FurnitureDo you need ideas
and advice on choosing the right outdoor furniture for your
backyard or patio? Here you will find information and advice
on furniture for the outdoors. Outdoor furniture ideas can
vary with based on individual preferences, therefore, we
encourage you to read through the advice here and decide for
yourself which outdoor furniture solution works best for your
home. |
 |
Outdoor furniture is any furniture that is used outside of
the home or office. Most indoor furniture can not be used outdoors
due to the elements of the weather. Therefore, outdoor furniture is
typically especially designed for the outdoors. There two main
differences between outdoor and indoor furniture is in design and
material. The design of outdoor furniture is typicaly simple with
particular attention to weather resistance. For example, many
outdoor tables and chairs have holes or slits so that water will not
build up and wind can blow through. This design is usually not
incorporated for indoor furniture. Another important difference is
in the use of material. Outdoor furniture are usually made of
material that will resist corrosion and decay from the weather.
These materials can be metal, plastic or some durable woods.
The oldest surviving examples of garden furniture were
discovered in the gardens of Pompeii. Marble tables and chairs were
excavated together with other precious treasure. A wide range of
garden furniture is now manufactured and distributed worldwide. The
materials used for its manufacture include stones, metals, plastics,
woods and glass.
Garden furniture, also called patio
furniture, is a type of furniture specifically designed for outdoor
use. It is typically made of weather resistant materials like cedar,
teak, wicker, wrought iron, aluminum and stainless steel etc.
Teak outdoor furniture is one of the most attractive,
weather resistant, longest lasting types of outdoor furniture
available on the current market. On top of that, it's almost
maintenance free and made from a renewable resource, making it not
only a cost effective solution to your outdoor furniture needs, but
also a purchase you can make with a clean conscience.
Lower-end outdoor wicker is often woven on a rattan frame, a
natural material that does not hold up to moisture as well as
aluminum, steel or teak. Steel and aluminum wonĄŻt warp or come
unglued, and aluminum offers the advantage of being rust proof. Teak
is a weather resistant tropical hardwood. Natural wicker furniture
is made from rattan, a tropical climbing palm, or bamboo, a large
tropical grass. By contrast, all weather wickers are woven from
resin, synthetic material that can be formed into narrow vine-like
pieces that look like natural materials. Resin wicker can hold up to
the harsh weather conditions, and some manufacturers boost that it
can be left outside year round, even in northern climates. Another
plus is that because dyes can be mixed right into the resin, the
furniture will not peel or flake like painted natural wicker.
For cedar outdoor furniture, the bad weathers will not
easily compromise the integrity of the material. That means that
outdoor furniture made from cedar has natural resistance to rotting,
to cracking, and to warping- leaving just the natural beauty of the
wood. Cedar is also resistant to fungus, so the only color
properties of this outdoor furniture will be the natural weathering
of the wood to a silvery gray (if left unfinished). The life of the
product could easily reach 8 to 10 years, and that's if the piece is
untreated and left outside year-round. If taken inside for the
winter, if covered, or if treated with a wood preservative, the life
expectancy of this outdoor furniture could easily exceed that
estimate.
Aluminum is a lightweight and easily molded metal
that will not rust. It was first used to construct outdoor furniture
in the early 1960's, when it was made from extruded, hollow-core
tubing. This construction method is still used today, primarily for
pool area furniture and lawn chairs. These pieces are very
lightweight, which allows for easy portability, but, at the same
time, they are susceptible to high winds and harsh elements. For
sturdier furniture, often taking the form of benches and outdoor
dining, it is highly recommended that cast aluminum be utilized in
construction. This type of aluminum composition is more durable and
can withstand the elements far greater than standard aluminum.
Wrought iron furniture is an elegant yet affordable way to
liven up your deck and patio area. Wrought iron has been used for
centuries in furniture and decorating, and today, we have a
selection of furniture that's both decorative and functional,
designed and to be enjoyed indoors and out. From tables to benches,
chairs to plant stands, and baking racks to entire shelving units,
you'll be pleased with the quality of wrought iron furniture.
Outdoor furniture is actually the same thing as garden
furniture, but for some people and in some areas garden furniture is
the preference. Outdoor furniture has evolved nicely from the days
of the rocking chair on the front porch to casual, classy and
sometimes very formal outdoor furniture settings on today's decks
and patios.
|
|
|
