UNDERSTANDING PATIO FURNITURE
Have you ever gone for a holiday and wished you could stay much longer or even forever? You are in this nice hotel and everything about it is just amazing. The environment so beautiful and serene, your balcony well set with sophisticated furnitures, the backyard well organised and set with comfortable sofa beds, swing chairs and all the beauties.
Interestingly what leaves people hooked is the kind of peace and comfort they get in this holiday homes or hotel, not to mention the sophistication and serenity
The good thing is that with the right information and help from an expert, you can have all these in your home. And if you have some space on your backyard or a spacious balcony, why can’t we do it?
But just before we choose your favourite furniture, let’s first understand what patio furniture is.
What are patio furnitures?
These are furnitures specially designed for outdoor use. This means you can have them in your balcony or backyard. Depending on the purpose and taste, you can have different designs of your choice and make your own home a dream holiday destination with these exotic furnitures.
At this point you must be looking forward into transforming your space into a little heaven, but it might interest you to know the different types of patio furnitures you want for your patio.
Choosing your favourite design and type of furniture will depend on a number of things,therefore;
Make a Priority List
- First is the Space. Your Space will determine the size of the furnitures you get. You wouldn’t want to buy a huge sofa bed for a space fitting a rocking chair.
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- Your location. Some materials work well in hot weather than they will in cold. Choose a material that will work well in your area. But above all it’s important to choose a material that is eco-friendly.
- Determine the purpose of your patio. Do you want to set your space for parties, dinner or just a relaxing area where you can sit, read your novel or just unwind? Select the furnitures according to the purpose set.
- The Comfort when you sit on it. You wouldn’t want to buy something that hurts your back or behind when you sit on it, would you? Therefore buy a cosy and comfortable furniture that will soothe you.
After having all your priorities set, it’s good to understand the different types of furniture and the materials used. No matter where you come from this information will help you in selecting the exact material and type of furniture for your space.
Types of patio furnitures
They are classified based on the material used and their functionality.
Resin Wicker/ All Weather Wicker
This is a man-made synthetic wicker, actually some people refer to it as synthetic wicker. It’s long lasting and resistant to all kinds of weather.
Wicker is a type of weaving used in making these furniture and not really the material used.
A good resin wicker is made of High Density Polythene. It can also be made with nylon, polythene or strands of PVC.
The benefits
- The advantage of high density polythene wicker is it’s resistant to rust. Being a non-porous, the dyed colour remains fresh and stays longer. This is because it’s treated with ultra violet light.
- It’s durable
- It withstands all types of weather.
The after care
- To clean these seats, you only need water in a spray bottle, spray the dirt off and lets it air dry.
- Even though it’s an all wether kind of seat, you might need to put it in a shaded area when not in use.
Aluminium
Interestingly, resin wicker is woven over aluminium frame. Aluminium is the ultra-modern patio furniture material and by far the most popular contemporary patio furniture material.
Unlike other plastic materials which can be easily carried by away, Aluminium is heavy enough to withstand strong winds and other factors.
This material is best for areas which experience a mix of rainy and sunny climates.
Aluminium is anti-rust so even if it’s exposed to these harsh rainy/sunny climates, it will develop a microscopic layer on its exterior which will protect it from rust and further damage.
Compared to other seats made from other materials, aluminium is strong yet portable. This means it can’t be easily carried away with strong winds but at the same time can be easily moved to different places if need be.
The Benefits
- It’s portable. This makes it easy to arrange your patio however you want with less difficulty
- It’s non-corrosive. It doesn’t rust thus it will maintain its beauty for years.
The after care
- Spray with clean soapy water to remove dust
- Repaint the seats once in a while especially when it chips to avoid oxidation.
Wrought Iron
It’s heavier than aluminium. Unlike aluminium wrought iron is corrosive. To prevent this it’s treated with weather resistant finishes which helps in sealing out moisture
The Benefits
- Its firm therefore it can be blown away by the wind
- Can withstand harsh weather conditions
The after care
- In case of any rust, paint it immediately
- Use a dump rug to clean it
Wood
Patio furnitures can be made from both hard and soft wood.
The beauty of wood never runs out. Some woods have an extent to which it can endure weather. Examples of this woods include cedar and pine.
Patio furniture made from hard wood are even much better because of their durability and ability to withstand harsh conditions.
Examples include Ipe (Originally from Brazil) which is now surpassing Teak in making patio furniture.
The Benefits
- If sealed properly, it can withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Wood will give an exotic feel to your space
The after care
- Varnish it up for a cleaner exotic look.
- Use a dump rug to clean any dust and dirt.
- Keep out of rain and direct sunlight to avoid rot or other destruction especially if the wood is not treated.
Steel
It’s heavier than aluminium but lighter than wrought.
It endures harsh climate because of its strength and stability.
The finishing powder it’s coated with helps in preventing rust
Steel as a material can also be used in framing the exotic seats used with the high end people
The benefits
- It’s unbreakable and can hardly get a dent
- If given a good finish, steel furniture can give your patio a posh look
- It can withstand harsh weather conditions
The after care
Spray with clean soapy water to clean dust
If the finishing powder starts chipping, treat it immediately to avoid rust