by GRAEME KNIGHTS
Entertaining
With the availability of a large assortment of charcoal, electric and gas grills, cooking outdoors for family and friends should be an enjoyable experience. With the right outdoor or conservatory Furniture, ambient lighting and temperature, you can create evenings to be remembered and repeated. With that in mind, an outdoor living space is a welcome addition to any home.
Patio and garden furniture are manufactured in a variety of materials, colors and styles and can turn an unused space into a comfortable and pleasant outdoor living area.
The most common materials are wicker, plastic, wood, teak, aluminum, and wrought iron. Sets of a table and chairs are often accompanied by an attached umbrella or one that can be set up nearby. Matching chaise lounges are usually available.
Plastic
Furniture that is formed entirely of plastic is usually the least expensive of outdoor furniture and is considerably more durable. Plastic can be formed into many beautiful styles that will compliment the chosen outdoor area. These pieces may be left outside for great amounts of time without significant damage.
Wood and Teak
Wood and teak garden furniture are beautiful additions to the outdoor living experience, but need to be treated to protect them from the effects of the elements. Depending on the climate, this type of furniture might need to be stored inside during winter months.
Aluminum and Wrought Iron
Aluminum and wrought iron are durable materials and may be cast in a variety of pleasing styles of garden furniture. Aluminum is a rust free metal but the protective coating must be maintained to prevent corrosion. Wrought iron may occasionally need to be repainted to prevent rust.
Wicker / Rattan
Wicker furniture was originally made by tightly weaving palm stems and forming them into the structure of the piece. Most of the wicker today is made from resin, which is a plastic and is often recycled plastic. This furniture is much more durable than the former type of wicker and lends itself to outdoor use.
Create Your Own Climate
Fans that are made to be used outdoors are built to withstand the elements and offer ventilation where the heat of the sun would otherwise be intolerable. Whether a wall mounted or a pedestal fan is required, the quiet operation and high output keep the patio, deck or veranda cooler and more livable. They also keep flies and other insects away. Outdoor fans have been tested to insure they are waterproof and they are built to UL507 specifications. These fans are durable and may also be used indoors.
Sitting outside in cold weather is not an inviting prospect unless there is a source of heat nearby. Patio heaters can be portable or mounted near an outdoor living area. Propane, butane, natural gas and electricity are choices of power for these heaters. The new portable gel fireplaces should also be considered. Tall clay chimeneas are widely used in Mexico and the southwestern United States for outside heat. Outdoor fire pit and portable fire bowls are other available options for heat on a cold day in an outdoor setting.
The most common materials are wicker, plastic, wood, teak, aluminum, and wrought iron. Sets of a table and chairs are often accompanied by an attached umbrella or one that can be set up nearby. Matching chaise lounges are usually available.
Plastic
Furniture that is formed entirely of plastic is usually the least expensive of outdoor furniture and is considerably more durable. Plastic can be formed into many beautiful styles that will compliment the chosen outdoor area. These pieces may be left outside for great amounts of time without significant damage.
Wood and Teak
Wood and teak garden furniture are beautiful additions to the outdoor living experience, but need to be treated to protect them from the effects of the elements. Depending on the climate, this type of furniture might need to be stored inside during winter months.
Aluminum and Wrought Iron
Aluminum and wrought iron are durable materials and may be cast in a variety of pleasing styles of garden furniture. Aluminum is a rust free metal but the protective coating must be maintained to prevent corrosion. Wrought iron may occasionally need to be repainted to prevent rust.
Wicker / Rattan
Wicker furniture was originally made by tightly weaving palm stems and forming them into the structure of the piece. Most of the wicker today is made from resin, which is a plastic and is often recycled plastic. This furniture is much more durable than the former type of wicker and lends itself to outdoor use.
Create Your Own Climate
Fans that are made to be used outdoors are built to withstand the elements and offer ventilation where the heat of the sun would otherwise be intolerable. Whether a wall mounted or a pedestal fan is required, the quiet operation and high output keep the patio, deck or veranda cooler and more livable. They also keep flies and other insects away. Outdoor fans have been tested to insure they are waterproof and they are built to UL507 specifications. These fans are durable and may also be used indoors.
Sitting outside in cold weather is not an inviting prospect unless there is a source of heat nearby. Patio heaters can be portable or mounted near an outdoor living area. Propane, butane, natural gas and electricity are choices of power for these heaters. The new portable gel fireplaces should also be considered. Tall clay chimeneas are widely used in Mexico and the southwestern United States for outside heat. Outdoor fire pit and portable fire bowls are other available options for heat on a cold day in an outdoor setting.
Entertaining
With the availability of a large assortment of charcoal, electric and gas grills, cooking outdoors for family and friends should be an enjoyable experience. With the right outdoor or conservatory Furniture, ambient lighting and temperature, you can create evenings to be remembered and repeated. With that in mind, an outdoor living space is a welcome addition to any home.
