Outdoor rattan garden furniture is one of the most sophisticated and stylish types of furniture you can use in your garden, on your patio or in your conservatory. There is nothing quite like sitting out on your deck enjoying the late sunset of a hot day with the patio heater and barbecue going whilst sitting back chilling with a few friends and long cool drinks.
Rattan patio furniture has been around for years, mainly because the use of rattan as a material has been around since the beginning of time. Rattan is a type of long vine that grows in tropical areas, when heated it becomes pliable and can be crafted using the wicker technique, but as soon as it cools it returns to a hard stiff state making it an ideal durable, renewable material with which to build furniture.
Rattan is a type of vine , but the wicker technique used to describe the weaving of the vines into furniture is applied to all types of natural materials such as reef, seagrass, palms, canes and bamboo so be careful to note that not all wicker furniture is woven rattan garden furniture.
Traditional high quality rattan wicker garden furniture utilizing a teak frame to support the rattan covering is ideal and long lasting in warm dry environments such as the areas where the rattan grows naturally.
However, in moist environments traditional rattan weave garden furniture, although being long lasting can become damaged by molds over time. To avoid this most traditional construction wicker rattan furniture is sold in western markets as ideal for conservatory use, or as rattan conservatory furniture, however it can be used outside, it is just not preferable to store the furniture outside where moisture may attack the natural materials.
Wicker rattan garden furniture sold for outdoor, garden or patio use tends to be constructed from synthetic materials for longer durability and life span. This synthetic rattan garden furniture is variously known as poly rattan garden furniture, plastic, pvc or resin rattan outdoor furniture all of which are ideal for all weather conditions and due to the man made state of the materials can range in price from being cheap and discounted compared to traditional rattan or expensive depending on design sophistication and framing techniques used.
To get the best deals you generally need to buy rattan effect garden furniture sets , preferably in winter time. Individual pieces are available and depending on construction materials and sophistication of design can be expensive when bought individually so try to consider buying sets in contemporary or traditional styles for the best deals. Traditional and contemporary outdoor rattan cube furniture sets for garden use are generally either four chairs and a table(usually glass topped) or for conservatory use tend to be two individual chairs and a sofa arrangement all accompanied by garden furniture cushions to suit. Many manufacturers offer side pieces to complement any garden decor ideas you have, such as coffee tables, add on chairs, foot stools and the like that can be added to sets. You should be able to find rattan furniture in all colors with red, yellow and black rattan garden furniture sets being popular.
When choosing rattan weave garden furniture you need to consider the climate you live in, your budget, the expected lifespan of the furniture and which type of furniture you feel morally comfortable with.
If you live in an all year round dry climate, have a conservatory or adequate dry storage, can afford a little luxury, expect your furniture to last 15 – 25 years and would rather have furniture made from renewable, organic sources made by craftsmen using traditional skills then a teak framed, rattan wicker furniture set may be best for you.
If you are on a budget, want the widest possible choice of styles at the best prices with assured durability in all weathers and are willing to forego the renewable aspects of traditional materials then a poly rattan patio furniture set will probably be best for you. Between these choices there are all shades of grey and prices at all levels, but these are the two defining choices sets for choosing the ideal rattan garden furniture set for your own circumstances.
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