Garden Design Ideas

Choosing and maintain your garden furniture with the help of this guide.Garden furniture is now a fashion item as the patio and garden increasingly become an additional functional space to the home.

Do some research before you buy a set of garden furniture.This research will pay off when you have the right garden furniture that will last a lifetime.This guide will help you to find the right set for you.

Decide whether you want furniture that will fold up to be stored away in the colder months or not.If you have made the decision to keep the furniture in the garden throughout the year, it will need to be made from hardwearing materials like hardwood, aluminium or rust free wrought iron.Although the initial cost of the more durable materials will be high, it will be worth it in the long run as they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives.

Getting the right construction and material will make all the difference.The best material will work in harmony with the materials already present in your garden.Try to avoid materials that will upset the balance of your garden.

Wood is the firm favourite for garden furniture it has all the necessary attributes but it will need some maintainance.Teak, iroko and courbaril are all great for garden furniture as they have a high oil content.These are good as they can be left outside all year round.

Joints should be mortice and tenon, be wary if they are just metal bolts as these have the potential to corrode.If any metal fittings are used in the construction make sure they are made from brass, stainless steel or aluminum which are corrosion resistant.

Make sure the construction is only premium grade teak for our garden furniture, so any knots, cracks and other defects are eliminated before the timber is used to build the furniture.The best process for drying teak is to dry it in a kiln, this locks as much moisture as possible making it less likely to crack.

All joints should have been assembled with glues containing epoxy resin which is weather resistant.

The best way to clean your teak furniture is to scrub it with hot soapy water, this will restore the weathered silvery look.

If required a pressure hose can be used at 60-80 bar [900-1200psi] at a distance of no less than 30cm.Once your teak garden furniture has weathered the colour will be enhanced by an annual scrub. A small amount of bleach added to the water will suppress any algae growth.

Wipe your table with a light detergent to remove any spills, or you could just let nature deal with it – such is the beauty of alfresco dining.

In dry weather small cracks will appear in the end of the grain timbers.There’s no need to do anything about this as the wood will correct itself once the moisture has returned to the air.

Teak oil or varnish won’t necessarily improve the lifespan of your garden furniture but it will improve the suface finish if applied when new.Teak oils vary so make sure you read the instructions first.Only use teak oil on dry wood, moisture will cause the surface to turn black.

Technorati Tags: garden furniture, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, teak furniture, teak garden furniture, wooden garden furniture

Choosing and maintain your garden furniture with the help of this guide.As the garden and patio are becoming increasingly important areas of your house, so too is your garden furniture.

Before you buy any garden furniture it is strongly recommended that you do some research.This will make it more likely that you’ll get the right furniture and it will last for time to come.This guide will help you to find the right set for you.

The first thing that you will need to decide is whether you want furniture that you can store away over winter or that you can leave outside all year round.If you have elected to keep the garden furniture outside all year round, you will need to go for hardwood, aluminium or wrought iron that won’t rust.It is well worth spending the money on the heavier more durable materials as this will be much more cost effective in the long run.

You will benefit greatly from choosing the best materials and design for the purpose.Take inspiration from your garden or patio area when choosing the material.Try to avoid materials that will upset the balance of your garden.

Because of it is lightweight, comfortable and beautiful, wood is the best material for garden furniture.Teak, iroko and courbaril are all great for garden furniture as they have a high oil content.These woods will fair well in the winter months as well as through the summer.

Joints should be mortice and tenon, be wary if they are just metal bolts as these have the potential to corrode.If there are metal nuts and bolts, make sure that they are made from rust proof materials namely: aluminium, stainless steel or brass.

Make sure the construction is only premium grade teak for our garden furniture, so any knots, cracks and other defects are eliminated before the timber is used to build the furniture.Premium manufacturers dry the wood in a kiln to seal in the moisture and avoid cracks forming.

All joints should have been assembled with glues containing epoxy resin which is weather resistant.

The best way to clean your teak furniture is to scrub it with hot soapy water, this will restore the weathered silvery look.

If you do want to wash it down with a pressure hose, do so at 60-80 bar (psi 900 – 1200) but don’t get closer than 30cm from the surface.Once your teak garden furniture has weathered the colour will be enhanced by an annual scrub. A small amount of bleach added to the water will suppress any algae growth.

Any stains and grease spots can be immediately removed by washing down using a light detergent then rinsing off with clean water as soon as they occur. However, this is not essential as nature will take its course over time.

In dry weather small cracks will appear in the end of the grain timbers.There’s no need to do anything about this as the wood will correct itself once the moisture has returned to the air.

It is not necessary to use teak oil or varnish as these will not extend the life of your garden furniture and are purely cosmetic. However, if you wish to preserve the as new appearance of your teak garden furniture the application of teak oil when the furniture is new will give a more lustre finish than leaving untouched.Be sure to read the instructions carefully before use.Only use teak oil on dry wood, moisture will cause the surface to turn black.

Technorati Tags: garden furniture, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, teak furniture, teak garden furniture, wooden garden furniture

If you plan to leave your patio or garden furniture outside throughout the year will need to be sure that it can stand extreme weather conditions.You would expect that all garden furniture is made to withstand such conditions but actually this is not always the case.Ironically, the less you pay upfront for garden furniture, the more you are likely to have to pay in the long run as it is likely to need replacing very soon after you have bought it.

Having established that we are now not going to buy the cheapest that we can find, what should we do next?The first step is to decide what type of Garden Furniture that you like. This you can basically separate into two categories:

Metal Garden Furniture & Hardwood Garden Furniture

Metal Garden Furniture

If you want Metal Garden Furniture, and you want it to last, then you should select Metal Garden Furniture that is only made of Aluminium.The reason for this is that Aluminium does not rust, so will last in all weather conditions.Having decided on Aluminium, you then must look at whether to go for “Cast Aluminium”, which is often solid and is made from Aluminium that has been Cast into a mould, or “Framed Aluminium”, which although lighter, is normally equally as durable.

If you are sold on metal furniture, then Aluminium is definitely the way to go as it will last for many years.

Hardwood Garden Furniture

This is my favourite, because no two pieces are “exactly” the same.This difference arises from the fact that the grain is unique to each tree.There are many different options when it comes to wooden garden furniture so I will not attempt to mention every one.

However after selling Garden Furniture for over ten years, my choice has narrowed right down to only one type, which is “Teak Garden Furniture”.Teak really is the best wood at withstanding the weather, which is especially important in the UK where rain fall is guaranteed.

Teak is more expensive than a lot of woods on the market, but this is because it will last for many years even if you don’t treat it.

Teak, like most hard woods grows at a slow rate.When it comes to purchasing your teak furniture, check that it has come from a manufacturer who takes responsibility for the forest from which it harvests trees, this is usually denoted by the FSC seal of approval.

Teak is worth the initial investment when you consider that it will last up to 25 years.

Technorati Tags: aluminium garden furniture, garden furniture, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, teak garden furniture, wood garden furniture

As the weather is warming up, your thoughts are no doubt turning to the garden furniture.

Everyone’s tastes are different, some prefer to have a deck, patio or conservatory full of furniture for enjoying the sunshine from whereas others want to get right out there on the lawn before setting up their furniture.

You may want to incorporate some teak furniture that meshes well with your hardwood deck.

A stone patio would be complemented by metal furniture like cast iron or a good quality aluminium.We are going to take a look at some garden furniture that will make your garden, conservatory, or stone patio look sophisticated and inviting for the warm weather.

If you are outfitting a conservatory, the furniture is usually much different than that required for an outdoor lawn space.Conservatory furniture tends to be more formal than garden furniture and needs to sit in harmony with the rest of the house.Teak is a dark hard wood which will work well if you have a lot of dark wood around your house.Teak looks great alongside cane especially in a conservatory where the garden and house merge.

Try cast aluminium which will look fantastic on a stone patio area in particular

Cast aluminium garden furniture sets tend to be very elegant in their design, combined with the dark colour of the cast material it will complement the greens in your garden very well.A set of cast aluminium garden furniture will last for quite some time.Get a few seat cushions for the chairs to make sure that everyone is comfortable.

You might be interested in furnishing your wood decking with a beautiful wood table and chairs set.Patio sets that are certified by FSC are the best choice.There are many on the market in all sorts of styles and seating configurations.Round tables are good for square spaces, there are many available including some which will seat up to 8 guests.A deck that calls for a rectangular table, would be accented nicely by a extending table, which can also accommodate eight guests.Teak also looks great if you have a granite patio.

Technorati Tags: Conservatory Furniture, garden furniture, outdoor furniture, Paito Furniture, teak garden furniture, wood garden furniture

Be ready for summer this year by thinking about your garden furniture now.

Whether you are trying to achieve a seamless migration from inside to outside or would prefer to have a few pieces scattered around the lawn.

If you have a hard wood deck, you might want to compliment it with some teak furniture.

A stone patio would be complemented by metal furniture like cast iron or a good quality aluminium.Here is a guide to the types of furniture that you might like to consider for your garden, conservatory or patio area to make it look fantastic for summer.

Fitting out a conservatory will need different consideration than a lawn.If choosing furniture to fit a conservatory you will have to consider the rest of the house as it will need to sit comfortably alongside it.If your house contains dark woods, you might want to consider materials like teak in your conservatory.Teak looks great alongside cane especially in a conservatory where the garden and house merge.

Consider cast aluminium garden furniture to compliment a stone garden area or patio.

Cast aluminium garden furniture sets tend to be very elegant in their design, combined with the dark colour of the cast material it will complement the greens in your garden very well.A set of cast aluminium garden furniture will last for quite some time.Be sure to purchase cushions to ensure that you and your guests are comfortable.

If you are after a table and chairs set to sit in harmony with a wood decking area, consider wood.Patio sets that are certified by FSC are the best choice.You can get these in various seating configurations and styles.Choose a table that seats the number of guests you need to accommodate, large round tables can usually seat up to eight.A deck that calls for a rectangular table, would be accented nicely by a extending table, which can also accommodate eight guests.Teak (preferably FSC) will also stand out beautifully on a granite patio.

Technorati Tags: Conservatory Furniture, garden furniture, outdoor furniture, Paito Furniture, teak garden furniture, wood garden furniture

If you plan to leave your patio or garden furniture outside throughout the year will need to be sure that it can stand extreme weather conditions.It would be helpful if all garden furniture was able to cope with such conditions but it seems some falls short of the grade.If you don’t choose a good quality set (and pay the price), you might find yourself having to throw it out and start again soon after you’ve bought it.

Having established that we are now not going to buy the cheapest that we can find, what should we do next?The first step is to decide what type of Garden Furniture that you like. This you can basically separate into two categories:

Metal Garden Furniture & Hardwood Garden Furniture

Metal Garden Furniture

If you want Metal Garden Furniture, and you want it to last, then you should select Metal Garden Furniture that is only made of Aluminium.This is because Aluminium will not rust whatever the weather.The choice now is between Cast Aluminium and Framed Aluminium, Cast has been made in a mould whereas Framed Aluminium made from tubes that are bent into shape, both are durable and lightweight.

So if you have decided to go for metal garden furniture, Aluminium will last for a life time making it a thoroughly worthwhile investment.

Hardwood Garden Furniture

The reason I’m fond of hard wood is because there is always a slight variation between different sets.The differences in the grain makes each piece unique.It would take a whole book to completely cover “Wooden Garden Furniture”, because there are literally thousands of different options.

Having sold garden furniture for over ten years, I can tell you with confidence that teak is the best wood for garden furniture.Teak really is the best wood at withstanding the weather, which is especially important in the UK where rain fall is guaranteed.

This is reflected in the price, teak is at the high end of the price range but then you won’t have to maintain it and it will last a life time.

The reason hard woods are so hard is because they grow slowly.So when you look to buy make sure that you select from a supplier that has Teak Garden Furniture that has been made from “Plantation Grown” Teak, which is a renewable resource, and not from a forest that is being destroyed by de-forestation.

Teak is worth the initial investment when you consider that it will last up to 25 years.

Technorati Tags: aluminium garden furniture, garden furniture, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, teak garden furniture, wood garden furniture

As summer is fast approaching, be sure that you are ready with garden furniture to enjoy that first sunny day.

Whether you are trying to achieve a seamless migration from inside to outside or would prefer to have a few pieces scattered around the lawn.

Compliment hard wood decking with some teak furniture.

If you have a stone patio or grill accommodations, high quality painted aluminium, or cast iron, may be just what you need to make your home look exceptional this spring and summer.We are going to take a look at some garden furniture that will make your garden, conservatory, or stone patio look sophisticated and inviting for the warm weather.

Furniture to fill a conservatory will have different attributes to furniture that will work in a lawned garden.If choosing furniture to fit a conservatory you will have to consider the rest of the house as it will need to sit comfortably alongside it.If your house contains dark woods, you might want to consider materials like teak in your conservatory.Teak looks great alongside cane especially in a conservatory where the garden and house merge.

Consider cast aluminium garden furniture to compliment a stone garden area or patio.

Highlight the greenery in your garden with an elegant cast aluminium garden furniture set.As cast aluminium is so strong, it will last for many years.Ensure your guests comfort by purchasing some cushion for them to sit on.

Perhaps, you are interested in decorating your wood deck with the perfect wooden table and chairs set.One of the best choices would be a FSC certified patio set.There are many available in a range of styles and seat numbers.Choose a round table if it fills the space that you have available best, you can get round tables that seat up to eight people.A deck that calls for a rectangular table, would be accented nicely by a extending table, which can also accommodate eight guests.Teak (preferably FSC) will also stand out beautifully on a granite patio.

Technorati Tags: Conservatory Furniture, garden furniture, outdoor furniture, Paito Furniture, teak garden furniture, wood garden furniture

garden furniture that is left outside all year round will need to be hard wearing enough to withstand the extreme temperatures of the winter months.Unfortunately, not all garden furniture is made with such conditions in mind.Ironically, the less you pay upfront for garden furniture, the more you are likely to have to pay in the long run as it is likely to need replacing very soon after you have bought it.

What are the next steps then, since we have established you aren’t just going to buy the cheapest set that you can get your hands on.First you will need to work out what material you would prefer, the two most common materials are as follows:

Metal Garden Furniture & Hardwood Garden Furniture

Metal Garden Furniture

If you want Metal Garden Furniture, and you want it to last, then you should select Metal Garden Furniture that is only made of Aluminium.This is because Aluminium will not rust whatever the weather.Aluminium garden furniture basically comes in two forms being: cast aluminium or framed aluminium. Cast Aluminium is made from a mould and is often quite decorative, framed aluminium is the more modern version that you are likely to see in coffee shops. Whichever you choose, you will get all the benefits of Aluminium.

So if you have decided to go for metal garden furniture, Aluminium will last for a life time making it a thoroughly worthwhile investment.

Hardwood Garden Furniture

The reason I’m fond of hard wood is because there is always a slight variation between different sets.Like a finger print no two trees will have the same grain.There are many different options when it comes to wooden garden furniture so I will not attempt to mention every one.

Having sold garden furniture for over ten years, I can tell you with confidence that teak is the best wood for garden furniture.Teak really is the best wood at withstanding the weather, which is especially important in the UK where rain fall is guaranteed.

Teak is more expensive than a lot of woods on the market, but this is because it will last for many years even if you don’t treat it.

Teak, like most hard woods grows at a slow rate.Look out for the Forest Stewardship Councils (FSC) seal of approval on your teak furniture, to be sure that it has been produced in a responsible forest management system.

If you buy good quality teak furniture, it should last as long as 20 to 25 years so is probably worth the initial investment.

Technorati Tags: aluminium garden furniture, garden furniture, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, teak garden furniture, wood garden furniture

Choosing and maintain your garden furniture with the help of this guide.As the garden and patio are becoming increasingly important areas of your house, so too is your garden furniture.

Be sure to do your research before buying garden furniture.Doing so will greatly increase your chances of buying garden furniture that is right for you and will last you a long time.Here are some important tips to bear in mind.

Firstly decide whether you want stackable or foldaway furniture that will be put away in the shed or garage in winter or if you want permanent solid garden furniture that remains in situ all year round.If you want your garden furniture to be a permanent part of your garden for aesthetic reasons then it is recommended that you go for heavy furniture made from hardwood, aluminium or wrought iron with rust proofing.Although the initial cost of the more durable materials will be high, it will be worth it in the long run as they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives.

Getting the right construction and material will make all the difference.Take inspiration from your garden or patio area when choosing the material.Try to avoid materials that will upset the balance of your garden.

Wood is the firm favourite for garden furniture it has all the necessary attributes but it will need some maintainance.Teak, iroko and courbaril are all great for garden furniture as they have a high oil content.These are good as they can be left outside all year round.

Make sure that mortice and tenon joints are used for your teak garden furniture and not bolts which corrode.Any fittings that are metal should be made from aluminium, brass or stainless steel so that they don’t rust when exposed to the elements.

Make sure the construction is only premium grade teak for our garden furniture, so any knots, cracks and other defects are eliminated before the timber is used to build the furniture.Ideally, your teak furniture will have been kiln dried so the moisture content is at an optimum, this will stave away the dreaded cracks.

All joints should have been assembled with glues containing epoxy resin which is weather resistant.

You can give your teak furniture a spring clean using hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush, this will restore bring out the natural colours in the wood.

If required a pressure hose can be used at 60-80 bar [900-1200psi] at a distance of no less than 30cm.Scrub your teak furniture once a year will a small amount of bleach, this will stop algae from growing on the surface.

Wipe your table with a light detergent to remove any spills, or you could just let nature deal with it – such is the beauty of alfresco dining.

During periods of dry weather, the wood might start to crack slightly.There’s no need to do anything about this as the wood will correct itself once the moisture has returned to the air.

Teak oil or varnish won’t necessarily improve the lifespan of your garden furniture but it will improve the suface finish if applied when new.Check the manufacturers instructions before you start to apply teak oil.If the wood is wet, the teak oil will darken on contact so make sure it is fully dried out before you start.

Technorati Tags: garden furniture, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, teak furniture, teak garden furniture, wooden garden furniture