Wood compliments a variety of garden and patio styles. It comes in two types: tropical woods like teak or mahogany, and North American woods such as cedar, redwood, or pine.
New wood looks nice and over time as it weathers and picks up the natural tones of its environment, it looks even better.
Wood doesn't get hot in the summer or cold in the winter. It is sturdy and solid so should last a long time, from 15 years for North American woods to over 50 years for tropical woods.
The biggest problem with wood is that it is heavy and bulky. If you plan to move or store your furniture often this might not be the best choice. The other problem is that if you paint it to match your patio decor, you will be repainting often. Some woods require regular application of preservative while others need no care at all.
Wicker furniture:
Technically "wicker" is a process not a material. Wicker patio furniture has been made from woven lengths of material including rattan or cane.
It suits a casual garden decor and lasts for about 20 years. It is weather resistant so doesn't need staining and is perfect for open, unprotected patios. The woven materials come in many colors to match any decor and they are very comfortable to sit in.
There aren't many down sides to wicker furniture. The woven material itself requires basically no maintenance. Most wicker furniture uses seat cushions and those should be taken inside when it is sunny or humid to extend their life.
Metal furniture:
Metal can be shaped into any style desired and is sturdy and durable. Metal furniture is generally either wrought iron or aluminum.
Iron is nice and heavy so the furniture won't blow around. However it gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Since it rusts, it is important to touch up any cracks in the finish to extend its life.
Aluminum isn't as heavy so is subject to windy rearrangements. However it doesn't get hot or cold and doesn't rust.
Plastic furniture:
Although some plastic furniture can look cheap and flimsy, you can find some very attractive pieces. Plastic can be made in any shape or color so the style choices are endless. It is often designed to be stackable for easy storage.
Plastic furniture is very light so will scatter in the wind. However it is inexpensive, easy to care for, and lasts forever. For those who are concerned about the environmental impact, some plastic furniture is made from recycled bottles.
You've decided it's time to buy patio furniture. You're not the sort to go rushing to the nearest store, slap your credit card on the counter ask for whatever durable, sturdy outdoor furniture happens to be available a the moment. No, you're the sort of person who has a distinct sense of style. In the ages-old dialectic between form and function, you think form should lead. What is a Mosaic? The first question you are likely to have is simple enough. So is the answer: images made out of out of small chunks of stone, glass, pottery or other visually interesting material are called mosaics. The little chunks are known as tesserae (or tessellae if they're smaller). They are arranged to create a pattern or picture called a mosaic. Mosaic has a history extending back in time to the Roman Empire and beyond. Quite often it has reached the level of the highest art. High art may be overkill for decorative outdoor furniture , however. The important thing when you're selecting mosaic patio furniture is that it just looks good. What Mosaic Patio Furniture is Made From Mosaic patio furniture can be made from various materials, but typically it will consist of a stone tabletop in a metal base. The metal will most likely be wrought iron, but can be aluminum. Aluminum has the advantage of being lighter in weight and impervious to rust. Wrought iron, or cast aluminum styled to look like wrought iron, complement mosaic nicely and make for an elegantly designed patio set. Wrought iron and cast aluminum can look very similar and either can look great as mosaic patio furniture, but bear in mind one thing. Mosaic patio furniture is not as weather resistant as the same patio set without the mosaic would be. Mosaic Patio Furniture Construction Tabletops for outdoor tables can be made of different materials and aren't necessarily made of only wrought iron. Stone tabletops, such as marble or slate, can make for a strikingly beautiful combination with the mosaic and wrought iron. The mosaic is assembled by setting the tesserae into the grout. Often, this is done by hand rather than by machine. Once the mosaic is finished, it is very important to seal it with a Fluorocarbon, which is an industrial-grade sealant. Some blistering of the silicone top sealant and ageing of the materials may occur, but your mosaic tabletop will be reasonably durable. Temperature affects different materials differently, expanding or contracting at different rates. With three different materials-the glass, stone or pottery of the tesserae or tessellae, the grout that holds the tesserae or tessellae together, and the material the outdoor tables themselves are made from all expand and contract at different rates. This can cause breakage, so bear in mind that when you choose mosaic patio furniture, you're making a commitment to put it away during inclement weather. Taking Care of Your Mosaic Patio: Furniture: A mosaic patio set can show wear in different ways. These can include mall cracks in grout, small holes in stone surfaces, and oxidation. These may occur at some point regardless of the mosaic patio furniture's quality. You should wash the wrought iron or aluminum frame with a mild soap, and water, also. Make sure you rinse it and dry it thoroughly. Remember, iron rusts. It's a good idea to treat the frames with liquid wax, as it will protect our mosaic patio furniture from ultraviolet light. Be careful not to use abrasives or chemicals as they may damage the finish. As materials go, mosaic is durable, but not the most durable. You will likely have to make sure you take reasonable care of it. Your mosaic patio furniture will bring you beauty and grandeur for years to come if cared for properly.
Both Christine Harrell & Rod Ernest are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.