Garden furniture Outdoor patio Furniture Choices
Patio furniture has come a long way from the green plastic resin chairs of old.
There is a world of choice in the market and many fine pieces of furniture.
We can separate the categories into five main types.
1) We have traditional wood furniture.
2) We have metal patio furniture.
3) Rattan or wicker furniture.
4) Plastic resin furniture.
5) Ceramic or concrete furniture.
I will be publishing articles on all the above in turn, first up wooden Garden Furniture.
1) Wooden Garden Patio Furniture
Wooden outdoor furniture has been widely used for years, either for dining sets or generally for garden furniture such as benches, hammocks and planters.
The wood used has primarily been hardwood although tanalised Pine is popular in the Swiss designs.
The best and of course most expensive is Teak which mainly comes from Indonesia.
Teak is graded, grade A is the highest quality.
Most people agree that Teak can be left untreated and will mellow to lovely silver grey over the years.
Most other grades of Teak will be supplied pre oiled, the furniture will last just as long if you treat regularly. The reason for the lower grade is that the wood will have defects in and grain anomalies, apart from that the lower grade Teak can sometimes not be kiln dried.
Other woods are used for garden furniture include Keruing, Acacia, Rose wood and Juniper.
Keruing is a good solid hardwood that will last up to 25 years. Great for outdoor dining furniture and bistros, a trend at the moment is to have a Keruing frame on a chair with textilene back and bottom for comfort.
You can also find steamers, loungers, picnic tables and benches in Keruing all in all it is a very hard wearing heavy set wood ideal for outdoor furniture.
Acacia is becoming popular as it is better value for money.
A MIR has developed a major range in Acacia. The only thing to watch for is that it is plantation Acacia, as there has been a problem with lower quality wood that has not been properly dried.
That aside you can buy an Acacia dining set, 4 chairs and a table for under £100, which is a bargain.
Rosewood is fantastic but only if you have deep pockets as dining sets can set you back £2/3000 a time.
Juniper is mostly used for the pole of wooden parasols but still is a good solid wood and will last years outside with proper maintenance. In the next article I will look at metal garden furniture and how it has developed into a vast array of styles.
Author: Julian Wood www.peakgardencentres.co.uk
Latest Shopping Articles
Saving Money and Time With Online Coupons!
By: Srini S Appikatla | 05/09/2008
The idea of saving money by finding coupons online is very alluring, but so many times you'll end up spending much more time looking for these great savings than is practical.
The Rolex Flagship Model - the Datejust
By: Scott Parham | 22/08/2008
Datejust Rolex was introduced in 1945 to mark the 40th anniversary of Rolex. Over the years, many changes were made to this model to keep up with the technological advancements in the watch industry.
The Most Common Accessory for Women – the Wrist Watch
By: Scott Parham | 22/08/2008
Lady Rolex watches are unique and beautifully crafted to perfection. Most of the women's watches are made from solid 18k yellow gold, white gold or platinum. Precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and many more are also used, making them a perfect jewelry gift for women.
Make Your Lady Love Feel Like a Celebrity
By: Scott Parham | 22/08/2008
Rolex adds a touch of class to the wearer’s style, and is more than just a watch. Over 200 small and delicate parts put together by hand in more than a year, ensure that Rolex remains the epitome of precision in the watch industry.
The Ladies Watch Collection by Rolex
By: Scott Parham | 22/08/2008
Each Rolex watch is meticulously refined and crafted with a superb attention to detail. This makes it one of the most prestigious luxury watch brands for both men and women. Rolex offers a fantastic line of ladies watch.
Gold Watch: Preowned Rolex Watches
By: Scott Parham | 22/08/2008
A gold watch is an ultimate accessory that you can wear on a daily basis. While it helps you to keep your commitments in a timely manner, you also feel on top of the world as you get the attention of every onlooker.
Get Rolex at Wholesale Price
By: Scott Parham | 22/08/2008
Rolex watches that are available at wholesale prices are basically pre-owned watches. These are offered for sale only when they have been thoroughly polished, lubricated, refurbished, adjusted, and pressure proof tested.
Office Furniture for Efficiency and Style
By: Ron Mark | 20/05/2008
In order to complete our activities with maximum efficiency we ordinarily employ a variety of means. We make use of furniture, for instance, both at home and at office. In fact, we are so familiar with tables and chairs, desks and shelves and whatnot that we can not even imagine how our lives might be without them. These pieces of furniture are natural parts of our lives and work.
Shopping 
