Garden furniture is now a fashion item as the patio and garden increasingly become an additional functional space to the home.
Before you buy any garden furniture it is strongly recommended that you do some research. Doing so will greatly increase your chances of buying garden furniture that is right for you and will last you a long time. Following are some important tips you need to consider before you buy.
Firstly decide whether you want stackable or foldaway furniture that will be put away in the shed or garage in winter or if you want permanent solid garden furniture that remains in situ all year round. If you want your garden furniture to be a permanent part of your garden for esthetic reasons then it is recommended that you go for heavy furniture made from hardwood, aluminum or wrought iron with rust proofing. It is well worth spending the money on the heavier more durable materials as this will be much more cost effective in the long run.
Choosing the right type of material and construction is paramount. Decide what kind of material for your garden furniture would best compliment your patio or garden. Select a material that will stay in balance with your garden.
Wood is the best all round as it is lightweight, esthetically pleasing and comfortable but requires some maintenance. Choose a tropical hardwood which is high in natural oil content like teak, iroko or courbaril. These woods are weather resistant and can be left outside throughout the year.
Make sure that mortice and tenon joints are used for your teak garden furniture and not bolts which corrode. If any metal fittings are used in the construction make sure they are made from brass, stainless steel or aluminum which are corrosion resistant.
Make sure the construction is only premium grade teak for our garden furniture, so any knots, cracks and other defects are eliminated before the timber is used to build the furniture. Additionally, Make sure your teak garden furniture is kiln dried to optimise moisture content and ensure shape is maintained and cracks are eliminated.
Teak garden furniture that is assembled using epoxy based glues tend to have the best performance and durability of all the types of joints as the epoxy resin used will not be affected by rain or frost.
If your teak garden furniture becomes dirty it is easy to clean with warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush which will enable you to restore the beautiful silver grey weathered look. If required a pressure hose can be used at 60-80 bar [900-1200psi] at a distance of no less than 30cm.
Once your teak garden furniture has weathered the colour will be enhanced by an annual scrub. A small amount of bleach added to the water will suppress any algae growth.
Any stains and grease spots can be immediately removed by washing down using a light detergent then rinsing off with clean water as soon as they occur. However, this is not essential as nature will take its course over time.
In dry weather small cracks will appear in the end of the grain timbers. This is natural and no action needs to be taken as when the moisture in the atmosphere increases the timber will return to its original condition.
It is not necessary to use teak oil or varnish as these will not extend the life of your garden furniture and are purely cosmetic. However, if you wish to preserve the as new appearance of your teak garden furniture the application of teak oil when the furniture is new will give a more lustre finish than leaving untouched. Please ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions as usually this is a three stage process. Make sure the timber is completely dry when you apply the teak oil, otherwise the furniture will blacken.
Wrought iron garden furniture generally looks the best as it is usually hand crafted to give a unique look. The disadvantages of wrought iron furniture is that it is not as comfortable as wood and heavier to move around. Additionally, iron rusts so wrought iron garden furniture has to be especially coated to prevent it from rusting so make sure the supplier gives you at least a one year warranty against rust.
Finally, if you can, it is recommended that you invest in a cover for your garden furniture. Covers now come in all shapes and sizes and are well worth the money as they add years to the life of your garden furniture. Simply place the cover on your garden furniture every evening or when it rains, you will see the benefits in the long term.
Angus Charlton is managing director of Arboreta Garden Furniture Store ( http://www.arboreta.co.uk ). He is a keen gardener who has developed a garden furniture business that resources from sustainable rainforests and contribute to the art of Feng Shui for gardens.
Rami
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Overview of Buying Furniture: Wood Furniture Guide
When purchasing furniture one of the first factors that many consumers seem to be attracted to is the price tag however, since furniture is intended to be a purchase that will be enjoyed and will last for many years to come there are actually several factors that should be taken into consideration before such a large purchase is made. While there are numerous options in terms of materials for furniture, include iron, glass and even some forms of plastic the most enduring and classic of all materials for furniture production is wood.
However not all wood furniture products are the same and consumers should understand the difference between the various types of wood products when buying furniture. Top of the line furniture will be produced from solid wood and while consumers can expect to pay more for solid wood furniture, they will also receive more in terms of quality and durability. Some of the most popular woods for furniture construction include cherry, mahogany, oak and pine. Less expensive pieces of furniture will many times be constructed of particle board and plywood. While these products are made of wood, the construction may not be as strong and durable as solid wood furniture.
A consumer can expect that furniture made from particle board and plywood may not hold up as well to daily wear and tear and may not last for as many years as solid wood furniture. Consumers should also consider whether they prefer a hardwood or softwood because this will make a difference in terms of the look of the piece but also in how well the piece responds to daily wear. The heaviest pieces are composed of teak and oak and other hardwoods such as cherry, maple, oak, mahogany and walnut. Generally, less expensive pieces are made of softwoods, but that also means that the piece may be more likely to become damaged from the slightest wear.
Generally speaking, beyond price, consumers can determine if a piece of wood furniture will hold up well throughout the years by considering the following: The overall fit of drawers and doors The glides and stops of drawers The secure fit of joints The security of hardware Whether the piece has a heavy balanced feeling when rocked Whether table leaves fit properly The overall feel of the wood-does it feel smooth and is it snag free? By taking these factors into consideration when purchasing furniture, consumers can be sure to find the right piece that they will enjoy for years to come.
garryj
However not all wood furniture products are the same and consumers should understand the difference between the various types of wood products when buying furniture. Top of the line furniture will be produced from solid wood and while consumers can expect to pay more for solid wood furniture, they will also receive more in terms of quality and durability. Some of the most popular woods for furniture construction include cherry, mahogany, oak and pine. Less expensive pieces of furniture will many times be constructed of particle board and plywood. While these products are made of wood, the construction may not be as strong and durable as solid wood furniture.
A consumer can expect that furniture made from particle board and plywood may not hold up as well to daily wear and tear and may not last for as many years as solid wood furniture. Consumers should also consider whether they prefer a hardwood or softwood because this will make a difference in terms of the look of the piece but also in how well the piece responds to daily wear. The heaviest pieces are composed of teak and oak and other hardwoods such as cherry, maple, oak, mahogany and walnut. Generally, less expensive pieces are made of softwoods, but that also means that the piece may be more likely to become damaged from the slightest wear.
Generally speaking, beyond price, consumers can determine if a piece of wood furniture will hold up well throughout the years by considering the following: The overall fit of drawers and doors The glides and stops of drawers The secure fit of joints The security of hardware Whether the piece has a heavy balanced feeling when rocked Whether table leaves fit properly The overall feel of the wood-does it feel smooth and is it snag free? By taking these factors into consideration when purchasing furniture, consumers can be sure to find the right piece that they will enjoy for years to come.
garryj
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