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Outdoor Furniture
Furnishing your outdoor living space with
attractive and comfortable furniture
will
add immeasurably to the enjoyment
you get
from your home. Whether you have
a small
apartment balcony or a large
deck or patio,
there is a wide variety of furniture
you
can purchase. First you need
to determine
what type of furniture you want:
lounge chairs,
table and chairs, arm chair and
ottoman,
etc. Measure your outdoor floor
space to
make sure you can accommodate
all the pieces
you want. Then consider what
material the
furniture is made from:
- Aluminum is the most popular choice for outdoor
furniture. Most aluminum frames are manufactured
from hollow tubing, but cast aluminum is
also available. The advantage of aluminum
is that it is rust resistant, and it is made
in a wide variety of styles from very casual
to elegantly formal. Tubular aluminum will
dent over time. Cast aluminum is more durable,
but it is also more expensive.
- Outdoor furniture has been made from wrought
iron since the 19th century, so if you are
aiming for a traditional look, it is a good
choice. Although less expensive than aluminum,
wrought iron is heavier to move around, and
it will rust if the surface paint is chipped
-- so try to purchase pieces with more than
a single coat of paint.
- Outdoor furniture is also available in a
variety of woods. Redwood and cedar are weather
resistant and less expensive than teak, which
is the most durable and long lasting. You
can prolong the life of redwood and cedar
by treating it with a sealant or wood preservative.
Teak can be left unfinished to weather to
a pleasing silver grey or oiled so that retains
its natural brown color. Outdoor furniture
made from other hardwoods, such as oak, is
also available.
- If you are on a budget, you may want to consider
buying vinyl outdoor furniture.
Most of these
plastic pieces will not last
more than a
few years, and some are so
lightweight that
you will have to be careful
that they don’t
blow away in the wind. Vinyl
furniture is
very easy to keep clean.
- Recently more durable plastic furniture has
come on the market, and some of it is quite
stylish, although it is more expensive than
vinyl. New synthetic polymers are extremely
weather resistant and will not deteriorate
from exposure to ultraviolet light. Polywood
furniture is made from recycled plastic containers,
so it is a fashionable “green” choice. Some
of it is made to resemble teak. Most synthetic
plastic needs virtually no maintenance and
will last for years.
- If you are looking for upholstered outdoor
furniture or want cushions
and pillows, you
will need to choose models
made with water,
sun, and dirt resistant fabrics.
These fabrics
are made by a variety of specialized
manufacturers
who use acrylics or polyesters
treated with
Teflon or vinyl to create fabrics
that dry
quickly after the rain and
will not fade
in the sun. These fabrics come
in a wide
variety of patterns and colors.
All outdoor furniture will last longer if
it is given some protection during time
when it is not being used. It can be stored
indoors or placed under the cover of a roof.
Heavy duty furniture covers are also available
for those who wish to leave the furniture
out all year. |
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