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Archive for the ‘Furniture’ Category

Teak Outdoor Garden Furniture? An Excellent Decision

06 Sep

Teak is the perfect material for outdoor garden furniture. It’s a dense, coarse-grained hardwood that contains oils that repel insects, resist heavy moisture, and prevent the drying effects of hot weather. The teak tree is native to parts of India, Burma, Thailand, and Java. It’s also grown in Africa, the Caribbean, and Brazil.
For centuries, teak was a standard material used to construct of sailing ships and clippers, and many 100-year-old park benches in English parks and gardens come from the wood salvaged from ships after they were dismantled. Today, teak is a major material for the construction of modern yachts, sailboats, and luxury cruisers. Boat owners prize its beauty and durability. During the second World War, teak was even used for the landing decks of aircraft carriers.
Oddly, teak is not a tropical rain-forest product. It grows best on hillsides with good drainage. Dutch colonists established many teak plantations in the early 1800s that are well-managed by the Javanese government today. In the plantations, it takes about 55 years to grow a mature teak tree to its peak of 150 feet tall and from 3-5 feet in diameter. Because there are so many well-managed teak plantations around the world, teak wood and outdoor garden furniture made from it will likely be available for centuries to come.
Known for its durable strength, teakwood has a beautiful golden hue, and it’s natural finish seldom needs stains or paint. Exposure to sun and rain, produces a silver-gray hue that is equally attractive. Due to its inherent oils, teakwood outdoor garden furniture needs little care, though natural discoloration can be uneven. Your teakwood outdoor garden furniture will be knot-free and smooth, and you’ll never have to replace it – unless you want to.
If your teakwood outdoor garden furniture has already been treated, you need do little more than wipe it to remove dust and rain spots. But you can leave it untreated up to six years without damaging your outdoor garden furniture. At five to six years, you might apply teak oil to maintain moisture. You can also use olive oil, but it evaporates more quickly than natural teak oil.
The designs of teak outdoor garden furniture are simple, elegant, and comfortable. It’s built to be durable, and most teak outdoor garden furniture is available at prices comparable to other outdoor garden furniture. Of course, you can select cushion materials and accessories to coordinate with your garden’s existing decor.
Teak’s natural elegance lends beauty to its durability. You can find a variety of designs and ensemble sets that will compliment your landscaping and deck or patio layout. Teak outdoor garden furniture is lightweight and easily moved, unless more traditional wrought-iron pieces. You’ll find a wide variety of pieces to beautify your outdoor entertaining space – tables, chairs, outdoor sofas, benches, storage bins, swings, bars, and barstools. Most sellers provide coordinated waterproof seating cushions and furniture covers that only add to your furniture’s attractive appearance.
When you purchase teak outdoor garden furniture, you’re making a wise investment in your future and in the beauty of your surroundings. Beautiful and durable, the natural beauty of teakwood is enhanced by its minimal care requirements. You’ll find a wide variety of teakwood outdoor garden furniture on the internet as well as in your local stores.

 
 

Cedar Outdoor Garden Furniture: What Makes It So Remarkable?

02 Sep

Once people realize all of the benefits cedar outdoor garden furniture has to offer, they quickly begin to realize why this type of outdoor furniture is so popular. Not only does cedar outdoor garden furniture resist warping, the naturally-occurring oils in the cedar prevent the furniture from rotting as well. Because of this, cedar outdoor garden furniture is considered to be one of the best outdoor furniture types on the market.
While the strength and durability of cedar outdoor garden furniture is indeed impressive, it is by far not the only thing cedar outdoor garden furniture has to offer. Comfort and beauty are also characteristics of cedar outdoor garden furniture. Cedar has the uncanny ability to stay cool, even during hot weather. While most outdoor furniture gets hot when the temperature rises, cedar outdoor garden furniture allows for comfortable seating regardless of the weather.
cedar outdoor garden furniture also features the aroma that so many people have come to love. Many people enjoy the scent that emanates from cedar wood. Better yet, many creepy-crawly bugs abhor it. Nothing is worse than relaxing outdoors, only to notice a nasty bug or two making its way around on your clothing or skin. cedar outdoor garden furniture helps abate this problem.
In addition to durability, comfort and beauty, cedar outdoor garden furniture may actually offer the people who buy it better health standards than outdoor furniture made with other woods would offer. cedar outdoor garden furniture doesn’t need to be treated with the same harsh chemicals other woods are treated with. If you don’t like the idea of sitting on wood treated with chemicals like arsenic, then cedar outdoor garden furniture is probably the way you want to go.
cedar outdoor garden furniture becomes even more appealing once you realize that it doesn’t cost more than outdoor furniture made with other types of woods. In fact, cedar outdoor garden furniture can often be less expensive than other wood outdoor furniture on the market, allowing you to stretch your dollar further without any sacrifice.

 
 

Metal Garden Furniture

29 Aug

Metal Garden Furniture
Metal as the material for garden furniture has a long history in the UK.
However most older furniture was made of cast iron and would readily rust and require treatment.
Usually a wire brush and rust treatment along with hours of painting would be the norm in Spring for the trusty metal furniture owner.
With the advent of Aluminium garden furniture the situation was much improved.
Aluminium does oxidize leaving chalky white deposits but needs little or no maintenance compared with iron made furniture.
Aluminium garden furniture has other advantages as well as not turning your patio brown.
It is light weight and easily moved to a more sunnier position.
It is much more affordable than say Teak and will last a long time.
I should mention that it does matter about the quality of the furniture set you buy.
I have many people say to me for both metal and wooden garden furniture, “I bought my set from . . . . and it was only £. . . . and was great the first year. But when I went to it the following spring it just fell apart.
You should also be aware on the cheaper versions of garden furniture the metal is hollow and water can find it’s way into the tubes.
You may end up with a cold wet surprise when moving your furniture!  
Metal Garden Furniture Best Buys   
I think the four best companies for metal garden furniture are Li-Lo leisure, A-MIR, Ascalon’s and Marvells.
Li-Lo Leisure
Li-Lo supply some really excellent quality furniture, you will find them stocked in the likes of Asda.
We have just started dealing with them.
They have a massive range far to many to show in this article.
I will be adding information to the supplier database when I have time, but I would say for quality and value they qualify as a best buy.
A-MIR 
Based in Birmingham they have been trading for many years and have a huge range in most of the multiples.
You can see the high quality powder coated finish on the Eclipse range which has a full range of furniture sets and benches and loungers in the same style.
Ascalon
The furniture from Ascalon would be great on a patio or in a conservatory, it has a beautiful style of it’s own.
It reminds me of shabby chic or antique furniture.
There is a large range from bistro sets to Arbours and benches. If you don’t like modern furniture and you want a more stylish classic look then they are worth considering.
Marvells
Marvells started with some beautiful art deco wall art and mirrors etc.
There site www. marvells. com is a veritable wonderland for all sorts of cool stuff.
They have started stocking some good looking garden furniture sets, the best being below.
I would say “watch this space” with Marvell’s I think they are going to be big in the next few years.

 
 

A Guide To Garden Furniture

25 Aug

The general market for garden furniture is dominated by imports of finished and semi-assembled furniture sold mainly by major DIY and furniture outlets. Such garden furniture is decorative and very durable. There are many different types of cheap garden furniture including hardwood, teak, metal, cast iron and even sets that come with glass tables.
The French and German markets are two of the most significant in Europe for garden furniture, and both have shown steady growth over recent years. The fashion for dining or taking tea alfresco traveled easily to America, where garden furniture became a fixture of the landscape, just as it had in England.
The purchase of teak garden furniture is a true investment in value. Teak is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture as the wood ages beautifully and will give you outdoor living pleasure and years of enjoyment. Teak is an extremely dense-grained wood and is very resistant to rot, warping, shrinkage and swelling which makes it ideal for outdoor patio and garden furniture. You’d be best to choose your style of teak furniture carefully as your outdoor teak furniture will be around for many years. Most teak furniture owners will leave their teak furniture outside all year long as there is no reason not to, such is its resilience.
Indonesian teak is considered by many teak furniture manufacturers to be the highest quality of teak wood available in the world today. Teak furniture is generally all made with mortise and tendon joinery. This is a superior method of construction which results in more solid and durable pieces of furniture. Most manufacturers will also use solid brass castings, screws and bolts in the construction of their furniture, which adds that touch of class.
The highest quality teak furniture will also be fully machine made. Fully machine made teak garden furniture guarantees the owner will have more uniformity and a more perfectly finished product. Enjoy garden furniture that is solidly built, needs little maintenance, and will go on giving pleasure in your garden year after year.
When choosing your garden furniture, keep in mind the geographic location that you live in. If your are is prone to extremes of temperature, you will need to ensure your purchase will withstand these extremes.
An example of this is, where your summer temperatures reach very high levels, you may want to think twice about purchasing metallic garden furniture. There have been some nasty burns primarily caused through the hot sun on metal garden furniture.
If you have decided on wood furniture, again bear in mind the temperatures that the furniture will be exposed to. You will need a lot more resilience to extremes of temperature than if you live in a more temperate climate.
Keep in mind also what the primary use of the garden furniture will be. If you are wanting to dine outdoors, for example, you may want to look at a design that incorporates a lazy susan, or revolving center. This makes the outdoor dining experience a lot more pleasurable, especially if your table is large.
If you are all out entertainers, make sure your garden furniture is either equipped with plenty of seating, or alternatively at a later date you could add individual pieces to it. Extra chairs, footstools, loungers and the like are often part of a larger set of which the basic setting is your first purchase.
Also, beware of glass tables. If you are interested in a glass table, make sure you also purchase an umbrella that will cover the circumference of the table. This is mainly to avoid the problem of glare from the sun.
It does not matter what you choose, the age old adage of “you get what you pay for” applies equally to garden furniture. If you are wanting something to stand the test of time and climate, you will end up paying accordingly. Once again, decide the purpose of use for the garden furniture, and you will not be disappointed.

 
 

Great Garden Furniture

21 Aug

The retail market for garden furniture is dominated by imports of finished and semi-assembled furniture sold mainly by major DIY and furniture outlets. Such garden furniture is decorative and very durable. There are many different types of cheap garden furniture including hardwood, teak, metal, cast iron and even sets that come with glass tables.
The French and German markets are two of the most significant in Europe for garden furniture, and both have shown steady growth over recent years. The fashion for dining or taking tea alfresco traveled easily to America, where garden furniture became a fixture of the landscape, just as it had in England.
The purchase of teak garden furniture is a true investment in value. Teak is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture as the wood ages beautifully and will give you outdoor living pleasure and years of enjoyment. Teak is an extremely dense-grained wood and is very resistant to rot, warping, shrinkage and swelling which makes it ideal for outdoor patio and garden furniture. You will want to choose your style of teak furniture carefully as your outdoor teak furniture will be around for many years. Most teak furniture owners will leave their teak furniture outside all year long as there is no reason not to, such is its resilience.
Indonesian teak is considered by many teak furniture manufacturers to be the highest quality of teak wood available in the world today. Teak furniture is generally all made with mortise and tendon joinery. This is a far superior method of construction which results in more durable and resilient pieces of furniture. Most manufacturers will also use solid brass castings, screws and bolts in the construction of their furniture, which adds that touch of class. The highest quality teak furniture will also be fully machine made.
Fully machine made teak garden furniture guarantees the owner will have more uniformity and a more perfectly finished product. Enjoy garden furniture that is solidly built, needs little maintenance, and will go on giving pleasure in your garden year after year.
When choosing your garden furniture, keep in mind the geographic location that you live in. If your are is prone to extremes of temperature, you will need to ensure your purchase will withstand these extremes.
An example of this is, where your summer temperatures reach very high levels, you may want to think twice about purchasing metallic garden furniture. There have been some nasty burns primarily caused through the hot sun on metal garden furniture.
If you have decided on wood furniture, again bear in mind the temperatures that the furniture will be exposed to. You will need a lot more resilience to extremes of temperature than if you live in a more temperate climate.
Keep in mind also what the primary use of the garden furniture will be. If you are wanting to dine outdoors, for example, you may want to look at a design that incorporates a lazy susan, or revolving center. This makes the outdoor dining experience a lot more pleasurable, especially if your table is large.
If you are all out entertainers, make sure your garden furniture is either equipped with plenty of seating, or alternatively at a later date you could add individual pieces to it. Extra chairs, footstools, loungers and the like are often part of a larger set of which the basic setting is your first purchase.
Also, beware of glass tables. If you are interested in a glass table, make sure you also purchase an umbrella that will cover the circumference of the table. This is mainly to avoid the problem of glare from the sun.
It does not matter what you choose, the age old adage of “you get what you pay for” applies equally to garden furniture. If you are wanting something to stand the test of time and climate, you will end up paying accordingly. Once again, decide the purpose of use for the garden furniture, and you will not be disappointed.

 
 

Garden Furniture to Last in All Weathers

17 Aug

As the credit crunch bites in earnest those with homes & steady incomes are deciding to ‘improve not move’ and one of the first places they start is the garden. A well designed garden, with the right outdoor furniture and accessories can literally add an extra room to a home and of course there is no need to bring in builders, plumbers or electricians to create an outdoor space. The trend for 2009 is to decide on the furniture and accessories (parasols etc) & plant around them, choosing the styles & colours of the plants to match. But what do you do when winter arrives and your carefully chosen and rather expensive garden furniture needs to be bought in from the cold, rain and maybe even snow? Unless you have allowed storage room for it (eating up that precious space) you have to leave it outdoors, and watch as the elements take their toll. However, over the last two years a quiet revolution has been happening in garden furniture. Synthetic rattan furniture, designed to last forever & called All Weather furniture, this garden furniture won’t rot or fade & can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions. Designed to be left outdoors all year round the new weatherproof furniture designs really are investment pieces as they last so long. No need to store indoors or in a garden shed, and no doubt visiting smokers will appreciate having a comfortable seat outside!

 
 

How to choose your garden furniture and make it last

13 Aug

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.

 
 

Teak Garden Furniture- The Vareity And Choices Available

13 Aug

Teak garden furniture is beautiful and is bright golden in color. It would hold its beauty all over time. The teak garden furniture needs occasional cleaning to keep the wood at its original hue. This furniture is only available with retailers who have specialized in Teak Garden Furniture. This needs very less cleaning and maintenance to keep up its beauty. Strength and durability of this furniture would withstand the weather very well. Natural oils within wood help to preserve the natural beauty nothing more are essentially needed. You must however check with the retailer about the care required to ascertain the beauty of furniture. The care products are available with many retailers. Most of the teak garden furniture gets designed with classic touches which are elegant and simple. It is made to be very sturdy and strong. Its durability often lasts for quite many generations.
In most garden furniture, the teak garden furniture usually comes in several styles and varieties to choose from. Deep seating conversation sets always are cushioned for comfort. They are strong enough to bear any test. Often, they come with chairs, sofas, coffee table and other end tables making the perfect setting to relax with friends and family. Few additional chairs are made available. They could be with or even without arms. The chairs or the loungers with ottoman would make it very easy for enjoying the sun.

 
 

Garden Furniture – for Convenience and Elegance

09 Aug

Gardens have the ability to provide peace and tranquillity for a human mind troubled by tiresome and taxing work, gardens also can occupy space and provide corners of the world away from the hustle and bustle of society. Garden furniture enhances the elegance of the garden as well as provides visitors comfortable and stable places to sit instead of sitting on loose walls or uneven surfaces. Garden furniture is mainly made of wood, cane, teak or plastic and they come in different colours, sizes and shapes.

Wooden garden furniture is made of various varieties of wood such as teak, mahogany, oak and cane being the main materials. Teak garden furniture is quite expensive, but long lasting. It is durable and waterproof and hence is a perfect choice for making garden furniture. Garden furniture is exposed to the elements and as such often ends up looking dirty and unkempt. As such, teak garden furniture is a perfect choice as it is more resistant to environmental factors than plastic furniture.

Cane garden furniture is another type of light-weight furniture that is a perfect choice of garden furniture. Cane can be used to create furniture of all forms, including benches, chairs and tables. It can be easily cleaned and therefore the maintenance cost of this type of furniture is quite less. They can also be relocated quite easily as they are light weight furniture. Cane garden furniture is ideal for conservatories as it can be easily moved to follow the sunlight.

 
 

Rattan Garden Furniture Described and Defined

05 Aug

Rattan garden furniture is made from a very special climbing palm tree. This tree provides long strips of reeds used to make these exquisite furnishings. This is a time tested tradition that has spanned over a few hundred years.
The availability of specific rattan garden furniture sets change from time to time. A professional dealer can recommend some of the most current models of this type of outdoor or sunroom furnishing sets.
Rattan garden furniture designs are suitable for both indoor and outdoor garden areas. The cubed style furnishing sets add a contemporary touch to any garden area.
Cubed outdoor sets include extra-soft cushions for a perfect outdoor dining or viewing experience. Depending upon what set you order, some have matching tables available. This type of furnishing set looks nice placed in a conservatory as well.
Another very popular design of rattan garden furniture is the L-shaped style. In fact, it is one of the styles that is ordered most often and sometimes people are required to place their name on a waiting list to receive this rare style of furniture. The best advice is to place an order for these items at least a few weeks in advance.
When both pieces are available, the long L-shaped sofa comes with a coordinating coffee table. This particular furnishing set looks best in an indoor garden or enclosed patio. These items are not usually meant for outdoor use.
The current rattan garden furniture set which consists of three or four pieces is built for outdoor use.