Choosing Garden Furniture

How do you choose garden furniture?

Garden furniture materials.

Garden furniture can be made form a variety of materials principally wood,resin (i.e plastic), cast aluminium  or steel. Outdoor furniture can also be manufactured from a combination of materials including terracotta tiles and mosaic. Fashion plays a large factor in the choice of material as it it is the "look" that is paramount.

Wooden garden furniture sets

Can be manufactured from a variety of woods but not all have the same properties tropical hardwoods are longer lasting with teak being the longest lasting of all tropical hardwoods. Wood still needs some care and attention with an annual clean and or sanding to bring back the finish. Wood patio sets can be treated with a propriteray wood stain if you prefer the "finished" look as otherwise most tropical woods dull to a silver grey with weathering.

There is a vast difference too in quality of wooden garden furniture choose a substantially manufactured product the quantity and quality of the wood determines the cost of the product (though not always the selling price).

Cast aluminium garden furniture.

This is quite a modern innovation recreating the image of victorian gardens of yesteryear, although there are also some very modern and attractive contemporary outdoor furniture sets available too. Cast aluminium furniture is maintenance free and will last many years without treatement. Look for the build quality the rigidity of contruction and also whether the chairs are self assembly or welded single pice units. The single piece garden chairs are much stronger.

Textoline garden furniture

Textoline garden furniture is a modern material. These normally feature tables and chairs manufactureed from aluminium but the chairs have a woven textoline material in them for the seating area. This textoline material means you can often do away with the need for garden cushions. Textoline outdoor furniture is also available in a variety of colours.

All weather wicker garden furniture

This is perhaps the latest thing  in outdoor furniture, it looks like a natural wicker but where the woven material is actually a weather resistant resin fibre. This  furniture  is generally modern in style. Outdoor wicker does need quality cushions though normally to make it comfortable. Look for the quality of the frame and the materials used and make sure the whole construction is weather  resistant.

We hope this helps a little in understanding the differences much as stated earlier depends on the style you like.

If we can help please dont hesitate to call.

Best wishes

The Alfresia team.