Furniture Tips : Teak Care

In clean air untreated teak weathers to an attractive ash gray, but where most boats live, the assault of modern-day air pollutants quickly turns bare teak nearly black. Scrubbing tends to leave behind an unattractive mottled look, neither golden nor gray. Most boatowners eventually find themselves unhappy with either look and decide that some treatment is essential.

Paint provides the longest lasting protection but it hides the wood. If we want the natural beauty of the wood to show, we must apply a clear coating. The choices are oil, sealer, or varnish.

Cleaning
Before teak can be given any coating, it must be completely clean. Your expensive teak is literally dissolved by strong cleaners, so always use the mildest cleaner that does the job. A 75/25 mixture of liquid laundry detergent (such as Wisk) and chlorine bleach may be adequate, perhaps boosted with TSP (trisodium phosphate). Apply this mixture with a stiff brush, scrubbing lightly with the grain. Leave it on the wood for several minutes to give the detergent time to suspend the dirt and the bleach time to lighten the wood, then rinse the wood thoroughly, brushing it to clear the grain.

If the teak is still dark or stained when it dries, a cleaner with oxalic acid is required. This is the active ingredient in most single-part teak cleaners. Wet the teak and sprinkle on the cleaner. Spread it evenly with a Scotchbrite or bronze wool pad, then give it a few minutes to work. While the wood is still wet, scrub it with the Scotchbrite pad or bronze wool. (Never, ever, ever use steel wool aboard your boat-it will leave a trail of rust freckles that will be impossible to remove.) Oxalic acid will dull paint and fiberglass and damage anodized aluminum, so wet down surrounding surfaces before you start and keep them free of the cleaner. Rinse the scrubbed wood thoroughly-brushing is required-and let it dry completely.

Two-part teak cleaners are dramatically effective at restoring the color to soiled, stained, and neglected teak, but these formulations contain a strong acid-usually hydrochloric-and should only be used when gentler cleaning methods have failed. Wet the wood to be cleaned. The cleaner will dissolve natural bristles, so use a nylon brush to paint part one onto the wet wood. Avoid getting the cleaner onto adjoining surfaces. Remove the dissolved surface by scrubbing the wood with the grain with a stiff brush or a Scotchbrite pad.

Part two neutralizes the acid in part one, and it usually has some additional cleaning properties. Paint a sufficient amount of part two onto the teak to get a uniform color change, then scrub lightly. Flush away all traces of the cleaner and let the wood dry.

Oil
Oiling teak on boats is a time-honored tradition. Oil intensifies the colors and grain patterns of wood and gives the wood a rich, warm appearance. Because it simply enhances the inherent beauty of the wood-more like salt than sauce-oiling is arguably the most attractive of all wood finishes, and it restores some of the teak's natural oils and resins. Unfortunately, the benefit of oiling exterior teak is extremely transitory. The sorry truth is that teak will last just as long if you don't oil it-longer really, since repeated between-coat scrubbing wears the wood away. But oiling teak isn't about protecting the wood; it's about recovering and maintaining that golden glow that made us want teak on the boat in the first place.

Teak oils are primarily either linseed oil or tung oil, bolstered by resins to make them more durable. Linseed oil tends to darken the teak, but it is significantly cheaper. Tung oil doesn't darken the wood, and it is more water resistant than linseed oil-a notable advantage for boat use. However, a month or two after application, it may be hard to discern that much difference since both oils carbonize in the sun and turn dark. Proprietary teak oils address this problem with various additives, including pigments, UV filters, and mildew retardants. Some that perform admirably in one climate are reviled in another. If you are going to oil your teak, make your teak oil selection based on the recommendations of other boatowners in your area.

Apply teak oil with a paint brush. Immediately wipe up (with a spirits-dampened cloth) any drips or runs on fiberglass or painted surfaces, or the resins the oil contains will leave dark, nearly-impossible-to-remove stains. Watch out for sneaky runs below the rail.

Oiling requires multiple coats. The wood will initially "drink" the oil, and thinning the first coat about 20% with mineral spirits or turpentine encourages it to penetrate the wood more deeply. By the third coat, oil will begin to stand in some areas. Wipe up excess oil with a cloth. Continue to brush on the oil and wipe away any excess until the wood is saturated. The wood should have a matte finish without any shiny spots.

Sealers
Another approach to achieving a natural look is the application of a sealer. Durability and ease of application have made some sealers very popular with boatowners.

Sealers don't feed the wood but, as the name suggests, they seal out moisture and dirt, and seal in natural oils and resins. Unfortunately, the oils and resins may already be lost, so the first step in applying a sealer to old teak is to restore the oil content with a thorough application of teak oil. Clean and bleach the wood to a uniform color, then oil it until it refuses to accept more. Now wait at least two weeks to let the resins dry before you apply the sealer.

After two weeks, wash the wood and let it dry completely. Sealers need an oil-free surface to attach to, so wipe the wood heavily with a rag soaked in acetone to remove all oil from the surface. The oil the wood has absorbed will be unaffected by this quick-flashing solvent. Unless the can instructs you otherwise, apply sealer exactly like oil. A throw-away brush is adequate for the job, and brushing technique is not a concern. Wipe away all excess with a cloth. Apply additional coats until the surface shows a uniform matte finish.

Maintain sealed wood by washing it and applying a fresh coat of sealer every two to three months.

Varnish
Aside from its much-admired appearance, varnish offers genuine protection for the wood. Wood coated with varnish will not dry out and split, will not absorb moisture and rot, is unaffected by dirt and pollution, and will be untouched, thus unstained, by oily or greasy spills.

The absence of pigment in varnish means it does not shield the underlying surface from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates the coating and carbonizes the oils in the wood, causing the wood to darken beneath the varnish. To minimize this effect, varnish makers add ultraviolet inhibitors-sun screens-to their products. For exterior brightwork, select a quality spar varnish (not urethane varnish) heavily fortified with UV inhibitors. As always, get local recommendations from other boatowners before selecting a specific varnish.

Teak doesn't hold varnish as well as other woods due to its oil content, but a long-lasting coating is possible with the right technique. Books have been written about applying varnish. You may not get that perfect, mirror-like finish on your first try, but as long as the wood is ivory smooth, the weather is warm and dry, and you don't "worry" the varnish with too many brush strokes, you should get admirable results. Plan on applying at least six coats.

For more information about oiling and varnishing brightwork, consult Sailboat Refinishing by Don Casey.

Create a Balinese Garden : Backyard Ideas

For many Australians, their love affair with Bali is a life-long commitment. So it’s not very surprising that so many yearn to recreate just some of that lushness in their own backyards. But to capture the essence of the traditional Balinese garden, you need to look at it from a Balinese perspective. “Balinese look at gardens differently,” says Kerry Davies of Bali Gardens. “For the Balinese, the whole island is a garden. It is the gods who own the land, they are only the caretakers and it is the responsibility of the caretaker to tend that land and create beauty.” Because of this entrenched, long-held view, it’s not surprising to find that the key element of a Balinese garden or courtyard is spirit, says Kerry. “I use the word ‘spirit’ in the widest sense,” she explains. “It is the combination of dedication, love, sensuality and beauty in a garden environment. It is wellbeing.” As an expression of this sense of spirit, Balinese gardens often feature lit sandalwood incense or an offering of flowers, discreetly placed near a statue, as a gesture of thanks to the gods and goddesses. Expression through art “The next most important element is art. Artwork is a reflection of spirit and love and comes directly from the hands of the craftsmen and women of Bali itself,” she continues. Hand-carved timber and stone statuary play a vital role. Typically, figures of popular Balinese gods or goddesses will be set in a wall niche, placed in a far corner of the garden or set amid lush greenery. When it comes to placement, discretion is the key. For a traditional look, Kerry recommends statues of Rama, Sinta, Ganesha and Saraswati — all characters from the Ramayana — as well as warrior statues and Buddhas, whether standing, sitting or reclining.

More decorative options include statues of temple men and women, Gamelan players and Balinese dancers.

Authenticity is important if you want to capture the essence of a real Balinese garden, and thanks to the large number of garden art importers around today, securing a genuine Balinese artifact should be no problem at all. If you want to create the impression that your garden has been there for generations, take the time to search out a weathered statue or figurine. But this doesn’t mean you have to forgo colour in the quest for character. Some of the older timber figurines are vibrantly painted; some even have a gold lustre.

While reproduction pieces can still infuse your garden with the flavour of Bali, if you do decide to opt for handcrafted pieces you’ll find that each one will have something special to offer. Says Kerry: “Although Balinese artisans may be carving the same characters over and over, each face is different and each artist puts a little bit of themselves into its creation. One statue may have a wry smile, a shy look, a look of regret or a peaceful expression.”

The welcome of water
Water is the third essential ingredient. A mist-maker or even a bowl of water with floating flowers and a couple of lit candles can engender that sense of peace and tranquillity we have come to associate with the Balinese style of garden.

While fountains are not common in Bali, the waterspout certainly is. Handcarved waterspouts, typically featuring animal designs, are popular around swimming pools and ponds and add the ambient sound of running water — just the thing to conjure up memories of balmy island nights.
A pond is another way to introduce running water into the environment. For the best effect the pond needs to be natural looking and merge with the foliage and rocks in the garden. Once again, discretion is the key to success.

Building on the theme
Extend the Balinese theme even further with ceremonial accessories such as a colourful fabric temple umbrella and stand or a long, billowing flag that sits high atop a long pole, just like those that hang in the streets of Bali during festival time. You can also add woven sashes and sarongs, as well as traditional Indonesian masks, to the walls in covered areas.
Continuing to take your cue from Balinese religious and cultural traditions, a pair of temple doors can make for a highly evocative ornamental feature ... or a delightful way to mark the passage from one part of the garden to another.

To create a picture-perfect and practical outdoor living area, consider building a pavilion with either a vine-strewn timber beam roof or traditional Indonesian thatch. Thatch is an authentic material and a great insulator, so you’ll be cool and collected all summer.
In a covered area, rattan furniture conveys a lovely Asian flavour, while teak — whether a handcarved day bed or a dining setting — is an ideal choice for both covered and uncovered areas.

To light your way
“Use hanging bamboo lamps and lanterns to light the perimeter of
an outdoor pavilion or courtyard, or to light the way along a path,” suggests Kerry.
Lanterns tend to come in two basic types. A large traditional thatch lantern with a dori crown is ideal if you have a large outdoor space. They can be placed on a decorative, handcarved base and connected to the electricity supply for a spectacular night show. For smaller spaces and courtyards, there are miniature thatch and dingle lanterns that can also be ‘electrified’.
“Nightlights and traditional thatch lanterns add an authentic touch,” says Kerry. “Because it is made from stained teak timber and has a thatch roof, the traditional lantern may look too fragile for the Australian climate, but all it needs is a few coats of Estapol and it will last a long time.

“The ijuk black thatch is made from the ‘hairs’ on the trunk of a palm tree. These ‘hairs’ are pulled out one by one and worked together to form a deep thatch that never rots. The only trouble is that the magpies know that too, so it needs to be covered every August and September during the nesting season or a toy snake placed around the roof.

“Magpies aside, the lanterns stand up to Australian conditions very well. A 50W halogen low-voltage light is best under the large lanterns and a 15 or 20W under the miniature lanterns.”
Some Australians like to add handcarved stone lanterns, with or without a carved pillar, and while these can contribute a delightful Asian-flavoured ambience, they are decorative rather than traditional, says Kerry.

How green is your garden
We have all come to think of the quintessential Balinese garden as a haven of lush and lavish greenery occasionally punctuated by flashes of tropical floral colour. And while plants are important, they are there to enhance the art and water feature, whether it’s a natural pond with a rock cascade, a flower-strewn water bowl or a handcarved stone waterspout.

Plants, not manmade structures, define the architecture of the Balinese or sub-tropical garden. Structural plants with strong vertical and horizontal lines and bold, dramatic foliage — such as palms, bamboo, tree ferns, cycads and aloes — will create the most dramatic effect. Use plants with large leaves to create the framework. Look for plants with broad, shield-shaped leaves, eye-catching patterns and long stalks.
Use smaller plants with colourful foliage to fill in spaces and add interest. And to ensure a lush look, dense planting is the way to go.

To have the best chance of success, choose plants that are native to your area or at least suited to your local climate and soil conditions.
Plants can also have a practical purpose, helping to shade a fish-filled pond, create a privacy screen or divide different areas of the garden. For an authentic-looking screen, consider a stand of non-invasive, clumping bamboo or perhaps bamboo cladding or panels of thatch.
Ultimately, the key to success is to simply capture the essence of the Balinese garden and this can be easily done with a few carefully selected and placed statues, an ambient water feature and a planting scheme that is simultaneously serene and dramatic

How To Choose Your Garden Furniture And Make It Last

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.

Top 5 Advantages Of Teak Garden Furniture

As warm weather approaches, you may find yourself searching for garden furniture. What is a backyard barbecue without garden furniture – after all, where would your guests sit? Though there is a wide variety of patio furniture, none is as beautiful as garden furniture made with teak. Why is teak a great material for garden furniture? Well, there are some distinct advantages, such as these:

Advantage #1 – Durable and Strong

Teak has many advantages over other materials used to make patio furniture. The first and most significant advantage is that teak is a strong, durable and beautiful hardwood from India, Thailand or Malaysia. This exotic material was first used in the Middle Ages as a shipbuilding material, so it had to be strong to endure the long voyages at sea.

Advantage #2 – Waterproof

After the ships were decommissioned, the boats made with teak material were still salvageable, since teak did not rot or rust, even when joined with metal. This is one of the reasons that teak is such a great material used to make garden furniture. So, if teak could survive long trips on the harsh ocean, image how well it will stand up in your garden—without rusting or rotting! These waterproofing advantages are what make teak garden furniture an exceptional choice for your garden furniture.

Advantage #3 – Low Maintenance

Garden furniture can be extremely high maintenance. Some materials attract dirt and grime more than other materials however, not teak wood. Teak, on the other hand, is very low maintenance, making teak garden furniture a great buy. If you are looking for a low maintenance material for your garden furniture, teak wood is the way to go.

Advantage #4 – Long-lasting

Since most people can’t afford to buy new garden furniture each year, another distinct advantage of teak garden furniture over garden furniture made from other materials is that it is extremely long-lasting. Teak garden furniture is so strong that it can stand the test of time, making it extremely cost-effective.

Advantage #5 – Stylish

If you’re looking for sleek and stylish garden furniture, look no further than teak garden furniture. To keep teak’s original color, all you have to do is use teak oil annually. Or, if you prefer, allow the color to change naturally over time. With so many finish choices, there is sure to be at least one shade and style to suit your garden furniture needs.

If you’re anxiously awaiting the warm weather season and especially looking forward to purchasing teak garden furniture, don’t forget the advantages that teak has over any other material—you won’t be disappointed. Durable and strong, waterproof, low maintenance, long-lasting and stylish, teak garden furniture should be your first choice when you shop for garden furniture.

Teak Garden Furniture : A smart Choice for Outdoor Seating

Who doesn’t want to own a beautiful garden? Those that are lucky to have a beautiful garden, spend a lot of time in their gardens to enjoy the beauty of nature. And what better way to spend you’re time in the garden, than to relax on you’re garden furniture. Wicker, wrought iron, bamboo and woods such as oak, teak etc are some of the materials, that are used to make garden furniture. Due to the many advantages of teak wood, many people nowadays opt for teak garden furniture.

Garden furniture selections include, tables, chairs, swings, garden benches, recliners, chaise lounges, sun umbrellas etc. All these are available in teak as well. People invest in teak garden furniture since amongst all hardwoods, its the most durable. And so despite the high costs associated with teak furniture, people don’t mind indulging on themselves. Really, this only adds value to your net worth in the end.

Choosing your teak garden furniture with attention and prudence will help you in bringing out the best of you’re garden, since teak is associated with luxury, elegance and style. Craftsmanship in the intricate work on your teak garden furniture stands out. Another great thing about this furniture is that it does not require a lot of maintenance.

Beautifully created teak garden furniture, intensifies the beauty of you’re garden. However certain factors need to be kept in mind while going in for you’re garden furniture. Firstly, its important that you’re furniture provides utility in addition to looking good. There’ little point of having something that looks amazing but is barely comfortable. Moreover the theme of your garden furniture should match with the theme of you’re house, or else it will only be like a fish out of water, no matter how beautiful it is. Bear in mind these important factors while choosing you’re teak garden furniture.

New trendy and stylish designs of teak garden furniture has come about, due to the high demand for teak garden furniture. Moreover due to this high demand, manufactures are cashing in on this and providing for customer’s personal choice. Customers inform manufacturers of their choice and manufacturers are creating individualized products as per customer’s requirements. This is a great benefit to customers who get exactly what they want in their teak garden furniture.

A Number Of Reasons For You To Invest In Teak Garden Furniture

Isn’t nature wonderful? What better way is there for you to enjoy nature than from the comfort of your own patio. But if you really want to rough it and feel the roughness of the paving stones under your bottom, then you really need to consider investing in some furniture for those warm sultry summer nights. One of the best options now available is teak furniture for outdoors.

Teak furniture is renowned for being sturdy and durable and years ago it was the preferred material in many ship yards around the world for ship building. So if it good enough to be used on the seas and oceans of the world it is good enough for your garden. In fact whatever weather your part of the world can throw at it, it can cope.

You will find that most of teak used these days in this sort of furniture has come from either Indonesia or Thailand. Both these countries have tropical rainforest areas where the trees grow and mature under a number of different environmental conditions, and it is for this reason that they have become so resistant to harsh conditions and why this carries through to any piece of teak furniture.

Also teak furniture is more or less impervious to being attacked by either insects or rot and this is due to the high concentrations of natural oils within the wood that repel the insects, mould and fungus. These oils are not just present in the live trees but also in those that have been cut down to be used and so will definitely be present in any piece of teak furniture that you choose to buy. As you can imagine this is not good news for those homeowners who spent vast amounts of money of other wooden outdoors furniture and only to have it collapse or disintegrate in front them after a while.

So when looking for furniture for your garden or patio then you should definitely consider teak furniture to be the benchmark by with any other wooden furniture is judged. Although it is expensive you will find that there are large number of different variations of the furniture that you will be able to purchase such as teak chairs, teak tables, teak garden benches are just a few.

But there is one thing any owner of teak furniture should remember is the maintenance of it. There is one thing that not just wooden furniture but also teak furniture is susceptible to and that is moss. Not only is it unsightly but is dangerous if it gets wet. But don’t worry teak furniture can easily with just soap and water and that is really all you need to do to maintain your teak outdoors furniture.

So all you need to think about now is how great it will look in your garden and just how long it is going to last for you.

Teak Patio Furniture: Your Buying Options

Are you interested in redecorating your patio? If you are, have you given teak patio furniture a close look? If you have yet to do so, it is something that you may want to think about doing. Lawn and garden experts, as well as homeowners, have nothing but good things to say about teak patio furniture.

When it comes to teak patio furniture, there are many individuals who wonder exactly why it comes so highly rated and recommended. In all honesty, you will find that there are a number of different reasons as to why teak patio furniture is so highly sought after. One of those reasons is its natural beauty. Teak patio furniture looks natural, unlike many other patio furniture pieces. If your patio is decorated with garden plants or patio flowers, you will likely find that teak patio furniture just fits right into your already existing scenery. It looks so natural.

If you are interested in buying teak patio furniture for your patio or even if you are just interested in furthering examining teak patio furniture, you will need to find a place to shop at or a place to browse at. When it comes to doing so, you will find that you have a number of different options. Teak patio furniture is available for sale all around the world and it is offered for sale by a number of different retailers and suppliers. If you are looking for information on how you can go about buying teak patio furniture or how you can go about learning more about it, you will want to continue reading on.

When looking to buy or further researching teak patio furniture, many individuals make the decision to head on down to one of their local retail stores, like a lawn and garden store. Yes, this is more than possible to do, but you may want to think about your other options as well. What you need to remember is that many locally operated stores are limited on the amount of sales floor space that they have. For many, this means that they have to fit as many products onto their sales floor as possible. This often leads to a limited selection. While you may be able to find multiple pieces of teak patio furniture for sale locally, you may not want to limit yourself.

If you are looking for the largest selection of teak patio furniture, you will want to shop online. Shopping online is nice because it is convenient and it often gives you a larger selection of products to choose from, as you often have hundreds of retailers and suppliers right at your fingertips. Visiting the online website of an online home and garden store is a great way to gain access to a number of different teak patio furniture pieces, but you may find high prices when taking this approach. If you are looking for discount teak furniture, you may want to think about checking out teak patio furniture suppliers. Suppliers are often individuals or companies who get their products directly from the manufacturer. For you, this often results in lower prices.

How To Choose The Right Furniture To Help You Relax In The Garden

The garden has always been an important part of a person’s home. Most people would desire a large open garden with some grass, some plants and a few trees. For those people who are unfortunate enough not to have a garden then their desires are no different. Over the years a garden has always been seen as something of a status symbol, going back one hundred years or so the only people who could afford any land at all that could be called a garden were the rich and upper classes in society. For this reason the garden has always been seen as something very desirable when buying a house.

As the times have changed and more and more houses have been built with a garden to either the front, the rear and in many cases both and people have their own plot of land to work however they choose. Many people cherish a lawn that they can keep in immaculate condition for the duration of the summer, some people long for a vegetable patch so they can grow their own food and some people just want to look after beautiful flower beds that attract all manner of beautiful flying creatures.

But for more and more people the garden area is becoming an extension to their indoor living area, an inside outside if you like. We are spending more and more time outside in the garden but not toiling away as much, of course a certain amount of work needs to be done to keep the garden looking in tip top shape but when the work is done we are relaxing on our garden furniture and enjoying the fruits of our labours.

Garden furniture comes in many designs, materials and qualities, obviously the better the quality the more expensive the furniture is but you do not have to spend a small fortune to get a fairly decent set for your garden. If choosing a wooden garden furniture set you should always look to buy one made from a hard wood as this will withstand the weather better than a softwood version and should last for much longer. Hardwood garden furniture is more expensive but in the long term it is worth paying the difference. Any quality of wooden furniture will need a coat of wood preservative at least once a year and depending on the climate of where you live it may require one more often.

Some people choose to opt for cast iron. This may be in many cases more uncomfortable to sit on but will out last any wooden furniture as long as it is looked after with the occasional lick of paint to keep any rust at bay.

It is for this reason that the market has seen an explosion in the sales of garden furniture of all types, with the better quality hand made hard wood varieties showing a fantastic growth over the last couple of years. People are now, more than ever, willing to spend very large sums of money on garden furniture for their garden or patio area as outdoor living really has become a way of life for many. Where the evening meal may used to have been taken in the dining room people are more likely to transfer the meal to the garden if the weather is suitable.

So if you are looking to spend as much time as possible relaxing in the garden this summer look to buy yourself some good quality garden furniture that will last for years to come and give you many days of relaxing fun.

Garden Furniture

Garden furniture, also called patio furniture, is a type of furniture specifically designed for outdoor use. It is typically made of weather resistant materials. The oldest surviving examples of garden furniture were found in the gardens of Pompeii.

A wide range of garden furniture is now manufactured and used worldwide. The materials used to manufacture modern patio furniture include stones, metals, vinyl, plastics, glass, and treated woods.

Garden furniture is often sold as a patio set consisting of a table, four or six chairs and a parasol. Garden parasols are a specialist type of umbrella designed to provide shade from the sun. Parasols fit through a hole in the centre of the table and are secured in a base. Long chairs, referred to as chaise lounges, are also common items. Patio heaters, that run on bottled butane or propane, are often used to enable people to sit outside at night or in cold weather.