Article: 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.
Make sure that mortice and tenon joints are used for your teak garden furniture and not bolts which corrode. If any metal fittings are used in the construction make sure they are made from brass, stainless steel or aluminum which are corrosion resistant. Make sure the construction is only premium grade teak for our garden furniture, so any knots, cracks and other defects are eliminated before the timber is used to build the furniture. Additionally, Make sure your teak garden furniture is kiln dried to optimise moisture content and ensure shape is maintained and cracks are eliminated.
Teak garden furniture that is assembled using epoxy based glues tend to have the best performance and durability of all the types of joints as the epoxy resin used will not be affected by rain or frost.
If your teak garden furniture becomes dirty it is easy to clean with warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush which will enable you to restore the beautiful silver grey weathered look. If required a pressure hose can be used at 60-80 bar [900-1200psi] at a distance of no less than 30cm.
Once your teak garden furniture has weathered the colour will be enhanced by an annual scrub.
A small amount of bleach added to the water will suppress any algae growth.
Any stains and grease spots can be immediately removed by washing down using a light detergent then rinsing off with clean water as soon as they occur .However, this is not essential as nature will take its course over time.
In dry weather small cracks will appear in the end of the grain timbers. This is natural and no action needs to be taken as when the moisture in the atmosphere increases the timber will return to its original condition.
It is not necessary to use teak oil or varnish as these will not extend the life of your garden furniture and are purely cosmetic. However if you wish to preserve the as new appearance of your teak garden furniture the application of teak oil when the furniture is new will give a more lustre finish than leaving untouched. Please ensure you follow the manufacturer's instructions as usually this is a three stage process. Make sure the timber is completely dry when you apply the teak oil, otherwise the furniture will blacken.
Wrought iron garden furniture generally looks the best as it is usually hand crafted to give a unique look. The disadvantages of wrought iron furniture is that it is not as comfortable as wood and heavier to move around. Additionally, iron rusts so wrought iron garden furniture has to be especially coated to prevent it from rusting so make sure the supplier gives you at least a one year warranty against rust.
Finally, if you can, it is recommended that you invest in a cover for your garden furniture. Covers now come in all shapes and sizes and are well worth the money as they add years to the life of your garden furniture. Simply place the cover on your garden furniture every evening or when it rains, you will see the benefits in the long term.
About the author: Angus Charlton is managing director of Arboreta, an online store offering <a href=""http://www.arboreta.co.uk"">garden furniture</a>. He is a keen gardener who has developed a garden furniture business that resources from sustainable rainforests and contribute to the art of Feng Shui for gardens.
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Teak wooden furniture is certainly one option for gardens. But the overall garden design will help you decide which furniture is right for you. Garden furniture is an important, but often neglected part of garden design. A garden is as much for relaxing in as it is for cultivating and digging. So it’s crucial to get seating and dining areas planned in even if your garden is a tiny courtyard. However well you plan these areas they’ll look far less effective if you don’t invest in the right furniture.
In a woodland glade for example it might be more appropriate to site a rustic bench made from silver birch. In a more formal setting you might opt for wrought iron for a lighter more refined look. Of course wrought iron can also look effective in a woodland glade too; it’s just a matter of being clear about the look you want.
For patios and conservatories you might want occasional furniture like a wrought iron sofa teamed with bright cushions, or how about a real style statement with designer garden furniture? It will cost per chair what you might pay for a complete set of lesser furniture. But it will last a lifetime and will look good long after your looks fade!
Of course your choice must also cover the whole year – will you fold away your furniture, or leave it in situ? There’s lots of wrought iron furniture available that folds neatly away or simply requires removing a couple of bolts for simple winter storage. Larger items, like arches, arbours and gazebos will need a coat of clear lacquer when you install them. That will give long lasting protection against rust spots. Simple to use spray cans are great for this job.
Wrought iron garden furniture can be inexpensive and bought online it will be delivered to your door. Online shopping also means you can buy year round. Garden centres usually clear their summer stock in time for the arrival of Santa’s Grotto, but online store will still have garden furniture in stock. If you want the designer option that too is now online, so you can choose a complete dining set from £345 to over £5000 depending on your budget.
When you choose your furniture always allow room to get past. Take a careful measurement of the space to fit. Check the table dimensions and then add 18” or 45cm to walk around the table and chairs. You don’t want guests stepping into the flower beds or falling off the patio! Also consider the hard landscaping, after all the furniture is going to be a prominent feature and shouldn’t fight with steps, walls and paving. The scale is also important. A large table and chairs will dominate in a small space, but the impact could be very effective. Imagine a courtyard with a stylish wrought iron table and chairs. It’s a bold style statement. Small furniture can create a feeling of intimacy, so don’t plonk it in the middle of a large space. Place it somewhere secluded.
Dining furniture may not be what you’re looking for, but every garden needs somewhere to sit. A wrought iron bench could fit the bill. Choose a spot where you can enjoy the view; be hidden from sight, or where the morning sun can be enjoyed. A wrought iron bench is for sharing so too is an arbour. This can work like a bench but a wrought iron arbour also has a framework that you can grow scented climbers over.
For a similar effect that you can share with guests, even dine under, try a wrought iron gazebo. They can be remarkably reasonable to buy and simple to erect. Best of all they give instant impact. Gazebos are great in a huge garden and very impressive in the centre of a small courtyard. As a focal point or as a place to linger, sit, entertain guests on balmy evenings, nothing else comes close. And wrought iron is so light and delicate to look at but durable and practical too.
Perhaps the best thing about wrought iron garden furniture is that it’s still unusual. Most garden centres stock very little so it’s easy to get furniture that is unusual and beautiful, but still very reasonably priced.
About the author: John Derry is managing director of SandEdge, an online store offering wrought iron garden furniture. John lives and works in rural Suffolk where the garden is central to his daily life.
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