ArticlesReader.com Menu

Newest Articles
Most Viewed Articles
ArticlesReader.com RSS
Submit Article
Login
Signup

Search the articles

Articles Main Categories

Advice
Animals
Automobiles
Business
Career
Communications
Computer Programming
Computers
Entertainment
Environment
Family
Fashion
Finance
Food
Health & Medical
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet Business
Internet Marketing
Legal
Leisure & Recreation
Marketing
Other
Politics
Reference & Education
Religion
Self Improvement
Sports
Technology & Science
Travel
Writing

Subscribe

Receive alert message from us when new articles submitted to our site for free.

Syndicate

Related Products

Home::Home & Garden

How to choose your garden furniture and make it last

Author : Rami

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.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Angus Charlton is managing director of Arboreta Garden Furniture Store ( www.arboreta.co.uk ). He is a keen gardener who has developed a garden furniture business that resources from sustainable rainforests and contributes to the art of Feng Shui for gardens.

Spam emails More free articles

More related feeds

Choosing the Right Patio Cushions for you and your Patio Furniture
Choose replacement cushions that are going to be comfortable as well as fit properly on the patio furniture. Last and final decision to make is focused on outdoor fabrics. We only offer outdoor fabrics to our customers with their patio ...

How can I make my home more appealing to buyers ?
Remember that they are looking at your home from a different point of view, as a place where they can make some memories. More than anything, try to use the tips in this article as a way to have your home in the best shape possible to ...

If you need to evacuate
Move combustibles such as garden furniture, wood, etc. away from your house. Check to see if you know how to open your electric garage door even if the power fails. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. ...

GARDEN FURNITURE AND THE APOCALYPSE • by Alex Moisi
It was one of the first pieces of furniture with chips built in them. It even has some wiring they stopped making last century. That rusty thing was designed as an artificial companion for old folk. Back when I was little it used to ...

How to Choose Your Garden Furniture and Make It Last
By Rami Nseir 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. ...

How to Choose Your Garden Furniture and Make It Last
... 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 tha...

Thanks for your comments. As ever, the anecdotes sent in by ...
For several years we used to make our own beer/lager. At that time you could buy a kit from a general catalogue (such as Freemans's - sold clothes, curtains, carpets, furniture, etc). Possibly these are also sold at at home-brew shop. ...

Cedar patio furniture. When choosing furniture, whether for your ...
When choosing furniture, whether for your garden, patio, or inside your home, it is probably quite important to you that it be of high quality that will last a long time. The cedar site offers quality outdoor patio furniture, ...

Cedar patio furniture. Redeem fs coupons at montgomery ward to ...
However, to what extent can you expect your cedar patio furniture to remain in good order, and what can you do to make it last, extending its life to the fullest? there are a few. The brookbend teak furniture collection includes golden ...

When Choosing Wooden Garden Furniture
When choosing your garden furniture should you choose to opt for wooden garden furniture, you will want to decide on the look you wish your garden furniture to have before the purchase is made. Do you want a painted finish, ...

How to choose your garden furniture and make it last

Related articles