Garden Furniture Overview
Garden furniture is one of the most sought after types of furniture not just for the garden but also for any outdoor space within the confines of your compound. It turns an otherwise unusable space into one that makes activity possible. Because of its popularity, there are an abundant variety of furniture types that are perfect for outdoor use. But we can generally divide them by the types of materials they are made from. They offer they’re own advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic
Contrary to popular belief, plastic garden furniture is not always cheap. There are very expensive examples of outdoor furniture that are made from plastic. Additionally, only specific types of plastic furniture can stand up to the rigors of the outdoors. If you attempt to use plastics made for the indoors around the garden, it will most surely begin to discolor over time. If you wait log enough, it may even begin to crack. For that reason, always stick to those that were designed specifically for use in the outdoors.
On the flip side, plastic does offer many advantages. Firstly, they are light which makes them quite mobile when the need arises. Secondly, they are very durable. Another advantage to be had is the fact that plastic can be molded into a variety of shapes easily, unlike wood. But plastic doesn’t necessarily lend itself well to the garden variety and those that want something more organic aesthetically will usually avoid them.
Metal
Metal is considered by many to be a more elegant option than plastic is. There are a whole slew of metals that are potential candidates for outdoor furniture that include iron, titanium, steel and aluminum. The cheapest varieties are usually made from steel as they are generally easier to fabricate compared to other irons.
Outside of the choices of metal, you have to factor in weight as well. There are some types of metals that are simply heavier than others. Wrought iron furniture may be very sturdy and durable, but they are heavy. Aluminum on the other hand is very light. Many types of metal furniture are not completely made from metal. You will find in many examples of metal framed furniture in combination with plastics and organic sources like rattan.
Wood
Wood garden furniture is an obvious favorite. It is organic and blends very well with the garden. For that reason, wood furniture is probably the most popular choice for the garden environment. However, you need to be very careful as to the type of wood used as many variants are not suited for outdoor use. It will have to go through periods of extreme moisture (rain) as well as the heat from the scorching sun. Additionally, many wood types are prone to rotting in such conditions.
Therefore, lets talk about the types of wood suitable for garden furniture. Undoubtedly, the most popular is Teak. Teak is a type of wood famed for its durability in the outdoor environment. It is very resistant to warping and is generally thought to be one of the best woods for this application. Oak is another hardwood that is somewhat popular. It contains natural insect repelling ingredients and tends to change color over time. Another great option is Chinese Fir. Chinese Fir is extremely fast growing and requires minimal maintenance as furniture.