Outdoor Furniture: Functional and Comfortable Patio Furniture
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When choosing patio furniture, the first consideration must be given to comfort and durability. Because outdoor furniture takes a 'beating' from adverse weather conditions, you will find that garden and patio furniture that’s been built to withstand the elements, though often expensive, is economical in the long run.
Many standard patio garden furniture are made of materials such as:
- Aluminium
- Wrought iron
- Steel
- Wood
- Resin
Aluminium, Wrought Iron & Steel Outdoor Furniture
For people who live in damp or humid regions, the best choice of patio furniture are the painted or enamel coated aluminium framed pieces, because they will not rust. With steel and wrought iron furniture, there will be some rusting if the painting process is done poorly. They must have a high quality rust resistant coating before the final coats of paint is applied.
Fold-able, Stackable & Collapsible Patio Furniture
Although these variations of patio furniture are not as durable as regular indoor chairs and other furniture pieces, fold-able, stackable and collapsible outdoor furniture are good in the sense that they are easy to fold or stack and store away, and they are particularly efficient and come in handy when extra seating is required for partying or entertaining.
Wood Outdoor Living Furniture
The wood framed outdoor chairs with canvas seats & backs used to be, and still are very popular amongst many home-owners, because they are comfortable, beautiful in an array of colours, and very affordable. And even though the canvas fabric may wear out and deteriorate after many years, it can be easily replaced with a new set of canvas patio furniture covers.
Stumps of very dry timber, used in their natural form will create a rustic effect when used in patios surrounded with colourful plants. They can be used as seats or table legs and can be set in the patio floor for stability and safety. It is good to use wood that is perfectly dry to avoid wood deterioration and rotting.
Timber must be treated with wood preservatives before setting in the paving, to guard against termite and other wood devouring insects. Redwood is a good wood to use. In standard wood patio furnishings, redwood is affordable in some regions (West) and scarce and expensive in others. Because redwood is weighty and cumbersome to move, they may be placed in position without setting into the pavement. However, they tend to splinter with age.
Resin Based Patio Furniture
Today's popular and affordable light weight patio furniture is made from materials of non-porous recycled plastic. Poly resin is an environmentally friendly material that 's used to produce a wide variety of patio furniture.
For home-owners conscious of the 'green revolution' and the eco-friendly movement, poly resin based outdoor furniture is just for them. It never deteriorates, it can withstand snow, dew, sun, rain and wind, but may not tolerate consistent harsh freezing temperatures.
Most resin patio furniture have stainless steel hardware that gives them strength and added rigidity. Outdoor furniture made with this material includes lounge chairs, standard chairs, dining sets, centre tables and side tables
Built-In Patio Furniture
A combination of built-in and moveable patio furniture is a good choice for home-owners who utilise their patios all year round, but need to store away garden chairs in the winter months. For example, built-in perimeter seating such as benches are very versatile and frequently find a place in deck and patio designs. They can serve as storage units for barbecue and outdoors cooking equipments, outdoors play equipments, or for garden tools storage.
On sunny winter days, they will serve for seating, as long as there is a handy supply of comfortable cushions. They will also serve as 'overflow' seating when entertaining a number of guests, or as buffet counters for outdoor dinners. They are excellent for small gardens and tiny patios because they can provide maximum seating for such small outdoor spaces.
Built-in outdoor furniture is very useful in demarcating areas within a large patio, effectively creating two patios within a patio. Its surface can be used as platforms for potted plants, buffet tables or serve as a form of railing if the patio is designed with two different floor levels.
Patio furniture must be chosen carefully and the theme of the patio's design must be considered from the onset. The right choice of furnishings will determine the overall success of a new patio.
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See also:
Outdoor Rooms: Patios As Outdoor Leisure Rooms
Patios: Planning A Pleasing Outdoor Room
Outdoor Leisure Rooms - A Guide To Effective Patio Designs
Home & Landscape Design Software. A Punch Designer Software
Patios: Getting Started With Patio Construction Works
Patio Screens Or Patio Enclosures?
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Richard 13 months ago
The most important factor for choosing the outdoor furniture is the durability of the material due to they are exposed to sunlight most of the time and easy get dirt and mould growth. I suggest the good one should be the bamboo type which is natural and sustainable in outdoor environment.