Posts Tagged ‘wicker garden furniture’

Wooden Garden Benches

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

For many people, the whole point of having a garden is to have garden furniture sets where you can relax alone or enjoy a barbecue with family and friends. Nowadays, no wooden garden furniture set is complete without a bench. Wooden garden benches can enhance a garden and also provide additional seating. They are available in a range of different woods such as cedar, beech, birch, mahogany, oak, and pine, although the most popular options are teak, redwood and wicker.

Teak
Teak garden benches are a great option as teak is the most weather-resistant wood available. It is also a very versatile wood, so it is possible to find benches in a range of elaborate designs. Teak comes in a range of colours that can start as a golden honey or a chocolate caramel before eventually fading to a silvery-grey.

Redwood
Good quality redwood benches are well known for being very strong. They are also very beautiful and come in lovely, warm colours. You can choose your level of comfort from a wide selection of options; for example, some have armrests and slatted backs while others are just a bench with a simple seat cushion.

Wicker
Wicker benches are a less expensive option that will still be functional and look great. Most wicker garden benches are specially treated to help them combat the elements. Although this makes them very strong and durable, it is still best to store them away or cover them during the winter months.

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Wicker Garden Furniture

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Wicker is not a specific material, but a term used to refer to the manner in which the material is made. It is made up of natural materials, such as reed, willow and bamboo, combined with synthetic products like plastic. Outdoor wicker furniture is very durable, and can be a wonderful addition to any garden, as it provides a number of unique benefits.

Easy to Maintain
One of the chief benefits of wicker is that it does not need the same degree of maintenance as other wooden garden furniture. All that is needed is an occasional wipe over with a damp cloth to keep it clean of dirt and grime, and as long as it is stored indoors over the winter, it will last for years.

Environmentally friendly
Wicker can be considered as a more environmentally friendly option than wood or plastic, as it is made from readily renewable materials such as rattan or other similar cane. Of course, glues and finishes can add a toxicological element to even the greenest material, but any outdoor wicker furniture that has been made with attention to environmental issues is still greener than many other synthesised products.

Affordable
In relation to other garden furniture sets, wicker is not very expensive at all. In some cases it is even comparable on price to plastic outdoor furniture. Wicker garden furniture is an excellent option if you want great-looking, high-quality furniture which will not damage your credit card.

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Types of Garden Furniture

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

A hospitable and inviting garden can be used as a place of seclusion to relax by yourself, or to entertain the good company of family and friends. Whatever your garden is used for, choosing suitable garden furniture sets can help create a welcoming and harmonious ambience.

Many different types of furniture are available, each with their own respective merits:

Wicker
Wicker garden furniture is a delightful option which can enhance any garden with its natural, informal beauty. It can be stained or painted, and it is best to do so, as outdoor wicker furniture is not weather-resistant at all.

Teak
Teak garden furniture is one of the most popular options. It is a very robust wood, which is resistant to all weather, as well as all types of mould and mildew. Teak needs virtually no maintenance, and develops beautifully as it ages.

Cast iron
Cast iron garden furniture is an incredibly elegant option. It is available in a wide range of styles that will add a touch of class to any garden. Cast iron garden furniture needs very minimal maintenance, so will complement your garden for many years to come.

Resin

Resin furniture is made out of a hard plastic that is resistant to all inclement weather. The only maintenance needed is a periodic wash down with a garden hose. Resin furniture tends to get very hot in bright sunlight, so it is unsuitable for sunny environments which enjoy consistently intense heat.

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Investing in a Craft with Man Made Wicker

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

As garden furniture must complement a distinctly natural space, it is only right that it uses the only the most natural materials, and a design aesthetic that elevates but never overpowers the subtle forms of nature. At Chic Teak, however, we recognise that in order to achieve the maximum “natural” effect, not only will garden furniture sets benefit from  the most natural materials, but will also benefit from being man made. This is why we are pleased to offer a fabulous range of man made, woven wicker garden furniture.

At Chic Teak, we don’t just love teak, but we also love wicker. We feel wicker makes the perfect outdoor material, both due to its natural aesthetic as well its inherent durability. In fact such is our commitment to wicker that we are able to offer all kinds of woven furniture, from full dining tables and chairs to indoor sofa and woven coffee tables – all constructed using the most natural processes.

Specifically we are proud to offer the high quality range of Bridgman “4 seasons” wicker furniture, which is second to none in terms of its durability and design quality. The key to Bridgman’s success as outdoor furniture is in its unique construction, i.e. an aluminium frame onto which a skillfully made weave is place, ensuring manmade quality combined with modern durability.

At Chic Teak we believe that such is inherent quality of our woven furniture that not only is it ideal for a garden, but can even elevate an internal space.

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Why Choose Teak Garden Furniture

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

A lot of today’s garden furniture sets are made from plastic, cane or wicker, or from cheap softwoods like pine. Wood garden furniture is better; far more attractive and looks much neater in a leafy garden setting, fitting in without detracting from the natural beauty around it. It’s also less flimsy and if looked after correctly, prolonged exposure to sunlight won’t cause the cracks, discoloration and decay plastic garden furniture sets are prone to.

So, what about wicker garden furniture? Visually, it’s a definite step up from plastic, and good quality wicker and cane woven outdoor furniture can be very comfortable to sit on and nice and light to move around, but it doesn’t stand up to the elements so well. Repeated wetting in the rain can cause rot to set in and your garden furniture set won’t last long outside. We think wicker patio furniture is ideal – and woven cane chairs are great for relaxing inside the house too – but it doesn’t work so well in a permanent outdoor setting.

How about pine? The reason pine is used so much in construction and cabinet making is that it’s fast growing and readily available from plantations all across North America, Europe, and much of the world. However, there is a downside. It isn’t as strong as hardwoods like teak, mahogany or elm, and the long, obvious grain can lead to splintering after prolonged exposure to heat and damp, or just general use over a long period.

Teak is strong and will stand up to long periods of use in all weathers. It also has a lovely honey colouring even when unfinished, and a close grain – no splinters. There is even a pleasing light scent, making it ideal for the task at hand.

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