Not long ago, outdoor furniture was largely comprised of those flimsy, folding aluminum chairs, with interwoven plastic strips for the backs and seats, that always left little red square marks across the backs of your thighs. Some of the fancier chairs had golden plastic threads sewn through them, which mainly served to enhance the red squares with scratch marks, as they caused an irritating, incessant itch, like the kind you get from the tag in your tee shirt. Most people don’t know it, but that’s what led to the popularity of Capri pants in the ‘60’s.
Luckily, outdoor furniture has evolved in many ways, and for many reasons, besides technological advancements in manufacturing techniques and synthetic materials. The growing number of enclosed porches and patios, and the population explosion of gazebos, which are often used as cottages, have effectively eliminated “outdoor season.” This has created a new attitude toward outdoor furniture, which is not only chosen as a part of the décor of a porch, patio, or gazebo, but is expected to provide the same comfort – with the same longevity – as indoor furniture.
If that sounds like a tall order, maybe it’s time to visit CedarStore.com, and get acquainted with the new generation of outdoor furniture. From conventional to contemporary, the selection of dining sets, patio chairs, garden benches, porch swings, gliders, ottomans, coffee tables, end tables, and picnic tables, is staggering.
The wide variety of materials available is mind-boggling as well. Of course, you can still get traditional wood furniture. After all, you can’t go wrong with cedar, which has natural oils that help to keep it radiant, while protecting it from insects and decay. Treated pine is also a great choice, because it’s kiln-dried before and after treatment, to help it resist decay, warping, and splintering. In fact, you can’t make a bad choice at CedarStore.com, where all of the wood furniture is hand-crafted.
Luxurious cherry wood, with its natural decay resistance, also makes gorgeous, easy-to-maintain outdoor furniture. For those who want the ultimate in durable, maintenance-free wood, teak, with its generous supply of natural oils and minerals that make it highly resistant to decay and warping, makes some of the most spectacular outdoor furniture.
In synthetics, polywood, which is made partially from recycled plastics, and looks incredibly like real wood, is used to build virtually indestructible outdoor furniture, as is thermo-plastic. Another advantage of these materials is that they are available in a rainbow of beautiful colors.
For outdoor furniture that is elegant, stylish, and graceful, yet tough, durable, and indestructible, there’s wrought iron. CedarStore.com has a variety of classic wrought iron furniture, including many tables that are decorated with stunning designs made from hand-set art glass, that have to be seen to be appreciated.
Speaking of things that have to be seen, you’ll be amazed at the new aluminum outdoor furniture. Unlike its flimsy, crumpling, disposable predecessors, today’s aluminum picnic tables, dining sets, chairs, and benches, won’t crack, break, bend, or rust. And you won’t believe the array of brilliant colors you’ll find – on the furniture, not your thighs!
At CedarStore.com, you’ll find outdoor furniture in every size, style, and shape, to fit every space, décor, and budget. They’ll even customize it for you! Visit their website, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com, for more information.
Posts Tagged ‘Synthetic Materials’
Outdoor Furniture is Easy on the Eyes – and the Thighs
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009Choosing and Caring for Outdoor Wood Furniture
Monday, June 29th, 2009Why should you use wood furniture outdoors? To some people this is not even a question! The right question would be, “Why wouldn’t you use wood furniture outdoors?” There is a wide variety of materials that are made to be used outdoors, including plastic, metal, wicker and other synthetic materials. With all of the other options for outdoor furniture, the reasons of why one should use wood should be carefully examined before you buy furniture for your outdoor oasis.
Wood is meant to be outdoors. Trees grow in the great outdoors, so it makes sense that furniture made from trees should be kept outdoors. It is no wonder that wood furniture, when treated and cared for properly, can last outdoors for years. The type of wood you pick of will determine just how well the wood weathers over time.
Although wood does weather over time, you can protect your outdoor wood furniture by carefully taking care of it every season. Paint and stain are good ways of protecting your wood furniture from the sun because they add an additional layer of defense to the wood. Water-repellant stains are also important to add to your outdoor furniture to protect it from water damage, which causes the wood to rot and crack. When using either paint or stain, you want to have a durable blend so that it dries fast and completely, and does not rub off on people sitting down on the furniture.
Another way to protect your wood and make it last for years to come is to buy special kinds of wood. Treated wood is one such option, as it is resistant to rotting from the elements. But one of the issues with treated wood is that it often comes green, and can more easily warp than regular wood.
Teak furniture is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Teak wood is an extremely dense hardwood is often praised for its durability. It also has natural oils that protect it from the elements, even when left untreated. Often grown in Indonesia, Teak is very resistant to attacks by termites and other insects because the high oil content makes it water repellent.
Chinese Oak is a dense hardwood with a very fine grain. It is a naturally light wood and sometimes has a pinkish tint. The tannic acid in Chinese Oak makes it ideal for use in outdoor furniture because it is naturally resistant to attacks by fungi and insects.
Cedar, especially Western Red Cedar is a very popular choice for outdoor furniture because of its beautiful color and finish. Often grown in Canada, Western Red Cedar is also naturally resistant to decay and insect damage when exposed to rain, sun, heat, or cold all year. When properly treated, Red Cedar furniture may last for decades in the harshest of environments.
A final way to protect your outdoor wood furniture and maintain it for the long haul is to simply put a roof over it. Whether it is an awning on your deck, a covered roof for your sunroom or your garage during the winter, a roof can go a long way to help you keep the sun, rain and wind off of your wood furniture and protect it for years to come.