Feb 07 2010
How To Choose Your Garden Furniture And Make It Last
A helpful guide to choosing the right garden furniture and how to make it last.Make a statement with you garden furniture by buying a set that will complement your garden or patio.
It will be worthwhile doing some research before buying any garden furniture.If you choose the right set for you it will bring you much enjoyment and longevity.The following guide will help you to choose the right furniture.
Decide whether you want furniture that will fold up to be stored away in the colder months or not.If you have elected to keep the garden furniture outside all year round, you will need to go for hardwood, aluminium or wrought iron that won’t rust.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.Choose a material that will complement you garden or patio garden.Try to avoid materials that will upset the balance of your garden.
Wood is the best all round as it is lightweight, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable but requires some maintenance.The most common hardwoods used in garden furniture are teak, iroko or courbaril because of they are have a high natural oil content.These woods will fair well in the winter months as well as through the summer.
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.
Ensure that the furniture is made from premium grade teak, otherwise you may find cracks, defects and knots appearing over time.The best process for drying teak is to dry it in a kiln, this locks as much moisture as possible making it less likely to crack.
To ensure that the joints won’t fail in cold weather or rain, check that they have been glued with epoxy resin based glues.
Once weathered, your teak furniture will have a greyish/silver colour to it, if it does need a bit of a clean, scrub it with some warm soapy water.
If you do want to wash it down with a pressure hose, do so at 60-80 bar (psi 900 – 1200) but don’t get closer than 30cm from the surface.Scrub your teak furniture once a year will a small amount of bleach, this will stop algae from growing on the surface.
Wipe your table with a light detergent to remove any spills, or you could just let nature deal with it – such is the beauty of alfresco dining.
During periods of dry weather, the wood might start to crack slightly.There’s no need to do anything about this as the wood will correct itself once the moisture has returned to the air.
Teak oil or varnish won’t necessarily improve the lifespan of your garden furniture but it will improve the suface finish if applied when new.Teak oils vary so make sure you read the instructions first.Only use teak oil on dry wood, moisture will cause the surface to turn black.
