Posts Tagged ‘Outdoor Furniture’

Take Care of Your Outdoor Furniture

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Withstanding the element is the basic feature of the outdoor furniture. Probably that is the reason why they are kept in the outdoors and are known as outdoor furniture, patio umbrellas, chairs and tables, all are included in the genre of outdoor furniture.

The process of wear and tear of our wooden outdoor furniture could be ignored only if we know how to do it. Some very basic precautions that should be taken by all owners of the outdoor furniture or even wicker patio furniture are as follows:

First among these is that all wooden pieces should be sealed with a wooden sealer. The main purpose of wooden sealers is that they help maintain the integrity of the wood by preventing it from warping. After the first few layers of paint is applied to the wood a layer of wood sealer should also be applied.

Wood sealer can be applied as per the requirement, it could either be sprayed or could be used as paint directly to the wood through a brush and they are available in cans. Both the methods are efficient and effective. In case you want to save time then spraying is the best option.

Even old patio furniture like the wooden frames of patio umbrellas can still be protected. Just scrape off the old paint and smoothen it out with sand paper. Then apply a fresh coat of paint and after the paint has totally dried you can now apply a fresh coat of wood sealer.

For the parts that are made of metal application of vegetable oil can also be affective. The damage caused by the moisture is prevented by the use of vegetable oil. Metals have always been very vulnerable to rusting, so to prolong the life of the metal parts vegetable oil is an important content. Oil forms a coat on the metal – this does not allow rainwater to reach in. The metal nuts, bolts and hinges may require this protection.

Keep those outdoor furniture and patio heaters away from too much heat and moisture. Any furniture if exposed to the elements for long periods of time can cause its early deterioration. It is therefore important to keep these items in a shade or even inside the house when it is not to be used for long periods of time. And preferably once the are stored for safekeeping they should have some furniture cover to help it against unnecessary scratches and damages.

The moment you see cracks in your furniture, seal it with putty. Putty would prevent the crack from becoming large and wide. Once the putty dries, apply paint and sealer over it. The three layers together protect the furniture.

Lastly, remember to apply a fresh coat of paint on your furniture every three years, at least. Since most patio furniture have been exposed to the weather elements all the time, they end up having peeled and faded paint. Hence repaint the patio furniture regularly. This is also an excuse to go for a changed color scheme every few years.

Recycled Plastic Patio Furniture

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Every time someone decides to recycle a plastic milk container, not only does it help the environment, it also can find new life as recycled plastic patio furniture. Mentioning recycled plastic patio furniture and it conjures up images of unattractive and flimsy furniture to many. This is so not true anymore. There are many durable and beautiful styles now being made out of recycled plastic.

This furniture has many advantages over metal and wood furniture. Not only is it good for the environment, it is low on maintenance. It will not rust like metal furniture when left exposed to rain. Anything that is made out of wood can warp when exposed to moisture for an extended period of time. The great thing about owning plastic furniture is that it does not have to be removed or covered when a sudden rain shower can occur. Recycled plastic furniture is great for placing by a pool. One does not have to worry about water damaging plastic patio furniture like metal, rattan or wooden patio furniture.

Refinishing and painting patio furniture can be a maintenance necessity that has to be done in order to keep it looking good. This is not a problem with some furniture. Recycled plastic furniture is impregnated with color and has been protected against UV rays in the factory. That means that there is no painting or varnishing necessary. The colors that plastic furniture can come are endless. One is sure to find a color to match any décor.

By purchasing recycled patio furniture, it keeps plastic milk jugs and water bottles from ending up in landfills. With this type of furniture being made out of recycled materials means that it can also be recycled again. Every time that a recycled product is purchased it creates a demand for more recycled products, which in turn is good for the environment. Purchasing recycled furniture will also save money. The durability of this type of furniture will keep one from replacing it every couple of years.

Plastic furniture offers many advantages then traditional materials of outdoor furniture. This sturdy and durable furniture is becoming more and more popular due to its many benefits. Since it comes in so many styles and color options, one is sure to find a recycled patio set to meet every need.