Learn how to choose the right garden furniture and treat look after it properly.Garden furniture is now a fashion item as the patio and garden increasingly become an additional functional space to the home.
Do some research before you buy a set of garden furniture.This research will pay off when you have the right garden furniture that will last a lifetime.Following are some important tips you need to consider before you buy.
The first choice is between fold away furniture and solid furniture that will stay outside over winter.If you want your garden furniture to be a permanent part of your garden for aesthetic reasons then it is recommended that you go for heavy furniture made from hardwood, aluminium or wrought iron with rust proofing.Although the initial cost of the more durable materials will be high, it will be worth it in the long run as they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives.
Choosing the right type of material and construction is paramount.Choose a material that will complement you garden or patio garden.Select a material that will stay in balance with your garden.
Because of it is lightweight, comfortable and beautiful, wood is the best material for garden furniture.Tropical woods tend to be high in natural oils e.g. teak, iroko or courbaril, which make them ideal.These are good as they can be left outside all year round.
Joints should be mortice and tenon, be wary if they are just metal bolts as these have the potential to 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.
All teak garden furniture should be made from premium materials so that it there are no surface defects that could affect the integrity of the material.Additionally, Make sure your teak garden furniture is kiln dried to optimise moisture content and ensure shape is maintained and cracks are eliminated.
To ensure that the joints won’t fail in cold weather or rain, check that they have been glued with epoxy resin based glues.
You can give your teak furniture a spring clean using hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush, this will restore bring out the natural colours in the wood.
For more intensive cleaning, you might want to use a pressure hose at no more than 80 bar (1200psi) and no close 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.
You may notice small cracks appearing in the timber when the weather is dry.This isn’t anything to be concerned about, the moisture in the atmosphere will diffuse back into the wood in time.
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.Be sure to read the instructions carefully before use.Make sure the timber is completely dry when you apply the teak oil, otherwise the furniture will blacken.
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