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Sure, shopping for outdoor furniture is exciting, but it isn’t exactly something you want to do every year. So before you spend your hard-earned money on furniture you currently are in love with, put together a patio furniture plan or buying guide. This can help you select something that is not only are aesthetically beautiful but also durable enough to withstand your area’s climate.
The best place to start off is reviewing the different materials that are available in the outdoor furniture market. To help you with planning, we’ve compiled a list of benefits for each different material.
Aluminum – The major benefit of aluminum furniture is it doesn’t rust. It cleans easily with soapy water and is pretty much indestructible year round. Aluminum’s light weight is also an advantage, but it can be a problem when the weather gets windy. With the proper care, aluminum patio furniture can last for many years.
Wrought Iron – Wrought iron is the total opposite of aluminum when it comes to weight. It is a very weighty material, making it perfect for climates with higher winds. Wrought iron is powder-coated and electro-statically painted, so it may rust due to the slightest chip. When washing, use soap and water, never any harsh chemicals. It is advisable to check for chips in the paint every so often and touch them up immediately.
Wooden –Hardness is considered to be the real value of wood. When looking to save money, softer woods like pine and cedar make great choices due to their availability. Shorea and mahogany are harder woods; however teak is the toughest of them all. Teak was traditionally used on boat decks due to its hardness, and today makes a long-lasting wood that also resists warping. Due to teak’s scarcity and popularity among woods, it can be pricey.
No matter what, all woods weather relatively the same, but it can be prevented or at least slowed by cleaning and adding a sealant to the furniture. Visit your local hardware store and ask what’s best for the type of wood you have. Expect a pretty simple procedure of cleaning and sealing.
Wicker – Wicker is defined as any one of the twigs, canes, or reeds woven together to make such things as baskets or chairs. The interesting fact about wicker is instead of being an original material it is actually woven from many different materials. Wicker can be made from anything, but some of the more well-known materials include cane, reed, willow and rattan.
To clean wicker, it is recommended to vacuum with a brush attachment to remove organic debris and dust. Then wash it using a soft sponge, mild soap and water. Rinse it all off and let it dry. If you plan on sealing your wicker furniture, let it dry for 24 to 48 hours before anything else is done.
You should now have a better understanding of the different choices of materials you can choose from for you next patio furniture set. Decide which one works best for you and your particular needs. You won’t be disappointed.
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