There is nothing better than sitting outside on your own deck, patio, pool bar, balcony, or terrace and enjoying the great outdoors at the end of a long, long day. Whether you live in a tropical environment or not, having comfortable wooden garden furniture, rattan garden furniture, or just a simple garden bench means being able to relax and luxuriate outside.
Obviously, it is not possible to just whip out your old furniture and simply set it outside. Indoor materials will not last very long. Mainly because of the constant sun exposure, moisture, and temperature changes. The right - whether it is rattan or wooden garden furniture - tends to cost more, specifically because it is designed to hold up against the elements effectively. Here are a few options for choosing an attractive garden bench or stylish garden furniture.
One of the obvious first choices for durability and function in is metal. Most metal furniture comes with rust-resistant coating which makes it suitable for the great outdoors. With the right weather protection, most metal furniture can be left out all summer or winter long and still look as good as new. The only downside to having metal garden furniture as opposed to rattan or wooden is that it is very heavy. This type of material is best for deck and concrete patios as it tends to sink on softer surfaces like grass, turf, or dirt.
Wooden cannot handle too much outdoor exposure, but the types of wooden that can handle it isremarkably durable. Teak is a hardwood which is native to South and Southeast Asia. It has the right natural protective oils to make it waterproof and it does not require oil or varnish to maintain its durability. Wooden made of teak can be expensive - mainly because it lasts for such a long, long time.
Another type of wooden is made of cedar. Cedar has a natural scent, attractive color, and grain. While not as durable as teak, if treated properly, cedar furniture can easily withstand sun, rain, and snow. It readily absorbs and releases moisture slowly. This reduces the cracking and splintering which can occur in more extreme temperatures.
If comfort and relaxation are your first choices, then rattan may be your best bet. The woven fibers in rattan may be plant-based or synthetic. The main advantage of rattan is its natural "give" - it easily yields to the shape of your body. This provides extra comfort and joy. Its open weave also means that it is cool and breathable.
Just be sure to move rattan indoors when it rains or to a shaded spot on extremely hot days. There are examples of rattan which have a tighter weave and a more resilient finish. However, to keep it long-lasting, it is wise to protect your rattan.
Another consideration for rattan is that it can get dust and particles caught in between the weave of the material. A little graininess is not a problem, but dust and particles can build up and damage the furniture itself. Be sure to dust the garden furniture off once in a while with a feather duster and take the time to remove any stains with a soft cloth and a mild detergent. Often, cushions or plastic covering is enough to protect the from the dust.
All or individual garden benches come in a range of styles, designs, or colors to choose from. Quality should be the first consideration, but there are many types of garden furniture which have both quality and style. Obviously, even the priciest wooden bench can be useless if it doesn't have a style you are both happy and comfortable with. When you know what to look for, you will easily find the right which both fits your taste and lasts a long, long time.
About the Author
Jonathan Fairhurst is a leading garden sheds dealers offering unique Garden Furniture , Wooden Garden furniture, Garden Benches and more to meet your entire Rattan Garden Furniture storage requirements and to give you your desired storage space or working environment.
