Taking Care of Wooden Furniture

Creating an ‘outdoor living room’ in the garden or on the patio is increasing in popularity. And it’s easy to see why. They are the perfect place to relax or entertain. No wonder pergola kits are in such demand. But there is a problem. And that is the cost. A pergola kit is expensive. Some are very expensive. But there is a solution.

If you want to build a pergola and save lots of dollars then follow these tips.

Decide on the size of pergola you want bearing in mind the size of your garden and how you will use the pergola. For instance. if you want to use it for entertaining think about the number of people, chairs, barbecue equipment etc. it will have to hold. You don’t want to build a pergola only to find out later it’s too small for what you want to use it for.

Don’t buy a pergola kit. Instead by a pergola plan in the size you need. It will come with a list of materials needed for construction.

Next, visit some hardware stores and cost out the materials. Treated pine will be the cheapest wood but treated cedar will last for decades so it may be the better long term investment.

For the actual building of your pergola you have two options:

1. build it yourself. The DIY pergola erection can be completed in a weekend; or
2. hire a local handyman to build it using the materials and instructions you will supply.

Either way you will certainly save hundreds of dollars. You’ve added value to your home and got yourself a great spot to relax and entertain. Talk about win-win!

If you love organizing spur of the moment picnics in your patio, then you need to have a set of furniture that allows you to relax and enhances the functionality of the patio at the same time. While it is easy to choose from reclining furniture and chaise lounges, it is difficult to choose from tables. There are tables for all occasions. You can choose from center tables, side tables, and dinner tables. The tables can be round, oval, octagonal or just about any shape or size that you want. When you choose a table for the patio, ensure that you choose one that matches the overall décor of the patio and even matches the size requirements. For example, you would not want to purchase a central dinner table that eats up half of the space on the patio.

Dining Tables

Dining tables are what makes that perfect family dinner possible in your patio. You need to keep several factors in mind when you choose one. The first and the most important factor is the number of people that the table can accommodate. If there are four to five members in your family, then choose a table that can accommodate 7 or eight people. You should always consider a few extra people for that picnic. Square shaped dining tables were common earlier but now, most people opt for an octagonal outdoor dining table. The reason behind this is that it allows you to maximize every inch of space. People will not bump into one another when they eat and the chairs can be spaced well. Dining tables made of wood are ideal for any setting but you can also choose one made of a cast iron frame and a glass top. Place it by the pool and it looks marvelous under patio lights.

Folding tables

If you want portability then folding tables are the best choice. Once again these come in hundreds of shapes, sizes, designs and colors. But one thing that is common across all of them is their light weight and the ease of carrying them from one place to the other. You can take it with you to the beach or even move it around to different parts of the garden. When you choose a folding picnic table, choose one that fits your budget. Plastic, wood and metal are the most common materials that are used to make folding tables.

Picnic Tables

When it comes to picnic tables, most people prefer to compromise on the look and opt for added functionality. It needs to be durable, portable and easy to store as well. This is one of the reasons why most picnic tables are made of extremely durable light cast metal alloy. Most picnic tables are folding tables and they can be folded and stored away when they are not in use. There are different varieties of the folding table. One thing that you want to consider though is that the table needs to be scratch proof as well. When you are going for a picnic, scratches on the table are the last thing that you need to be worried about.

Side tables

Side tables are the perfect addition to your recliner chair or your Adirondack rocking chair. When you recline, you can keep your things on the side table. Side tables are usually small and made to accommodate a few things only at a time. So you can rest your radio, a glass of juice or a book at the most. But small as they are, side tables can be extremely attractive. An oval cherry side table looks absolutely stunning along with other wooden furniture.

Porch swings are a great way to enjoy your porch environment. They offer an excellent location for a great summer read, a refreshing drink on a hot day, or a slow evening with a loved one. Teak porch swings come in many shapes, sizes, and styles.

There are many variations in porch swings.

One difference among porch swings is size. The standard porch swing size is five feet in length. While they can be special ordered to come as small as two feet or as long as ten feet, you will typically find the four to five foot model in your local supply store.

Another variation among porch swings is back style. Some porch swing backs are straight from top to bottom. This is, perhaps, the most traditional style for a porch swing. Another back style is straight from the bottom to the base of the top. At that point, the top rolls toward the back. Another type of back offers decorative carvings along the top rail. Another variation in back styles is the carved back. In this case, shapes like hearts or ovals replace the traditional rectangular back. One final, yet important, variation in back styles is slat placement. Slats can be either vertical or horizontal, and spacing can vary from swing to swing. Some people find the variations in slats more or less comfortable depending upon the body style of the individual.

One final difference among porch swings is construction material. Most swings are made of vinyl or various types of wood. Both materials offer different benefits. Vinyl or plastic porch swings are a great maintenance free option. They are ecologically friendly in that they are usually composed of recycled materials, and after the life of the swing has ended, they can be recycled again. Moreover, they never rust or rot. They also do not require paint, and they are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Several different types of wood are also used to create porch swings. One of the most popular types of wood for this use is cedar. A cedar porch swing offers a traditional look with very little maintenance. When you first purchase a cedar swing, it might be beneficial to coat it with some type of sealer, as it might extend the life of the swing. Cedar, though, naturally repels wood rot even in wet climates. Moreover, cedar resists bacteria and fungus quite well. Porch swings are a nice addition to any porch area.

The retail market for garden furniture is dominated by imports of finished and semi-assembled furniture sold mainly by major DIY and furniture outlets. Such garden furniture is decorative and very durable. There are many different types of cheap garden furniture including hardwood, teak, metal, cast iron and even sets that come with glass tables. The French and German markets are two of the most significant in Europe for garden furniture, and both have shown steady growth over recent years. The fashion for dining or taking tea alfresco traveled easily to America, where garden furniture became a fixture of the landscape, just as it had in England.

A purchase of teak garden furniture is a true investment in value. Teak is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture as the wood ages beautifully and will give you many, many, carefree years of enjoyment. Teak is a very densely grained wood and is highly resistant to rot, warping, shrinkage and swelling which makes it ideal for outdoor patio and garden furniture. You will want to choose your style of teak furniture carefully as your outdoor teak furniture will be around for many years. Most teak furniture owners will leave their teak furniture outside all year long as there is no reason not to, such is its resilience.

Indonesian teak is considered by many teak furniture manufacturers to be the highest quality of teak wood available in the world today. Teak furniture is generally all made with mortise and tendon joinery. This is a superior method of construction which results in more solid and durable pieces of furniture. Most manufacturers will also use solid brass castings, screws and bolts in the construction of their furniture, which adds that touch of class.

The highest quality teak furniture will also be fully machine made. Fully machine made teak garden furniture guarantees the owner will have more uniformity and a more perfectly finished product. Enjoy garden furniture that is solidly built, needs little maintenance, and will go on giving pleasure in your garden year after year. When you choose your garden furniture, keep in mind the geographic location that you live in. If your area is prone to extremes of temperature, you will need to ensure your purchase will withstand these extremes.

An example of this is, where your summer temperatures are extreme, you may not want to look at purchasing metallic garden furniture. There have been some nasty accidents primarily caused through the hot sun on metal furniture. If you prefer wood furniture, again bear in mind the temperatures that the furniture will be exposed to. You will need a lot more resistance to extremes of temperature than if you live in a more temperate climate.

Also remember what the main use of the garden furniture will be. If you are wanting to dine outdoors, for example, you may want to look at a design that incorporates a revolving center. This makes the outdoor dining experience a lot more pleasurable, especially if your table is large; everyone will be able to reach the middle.

If you are all out entertainers, make sure your garden furniture is either equipped with plenty of accessories, or alternatively at a later date you could add individual pieces to it. Extra chairs, footstools, loungers and the like are often part of a larger set of which the basic setting is your first purchase. Although functional, beware of glass tables. If you are interested in a glass table, make sure you also purchase an umbrella that will cover the circumference of the table. This is mainly to avoid the problem of glare from the sun. Glass tables are also more prone to breakages when compared to wooden tables.

It does not matter what you choose, the age old adage of “you get what you pay for” applies equally to garden furniture. If you are wanting something to stand the test of time and climate, you will end up paying accordingly. There are plenty of cheap versions of garden furniture on the market, and many will be efficient enough depending on what you want. Once again, if you take the time to decide the purpose for the garden furniture, you will not be disappointed.