As we are preparing for spring, we turn our attention to the back yard or the patio, to spruce it up before we invite family and friends to enjoy an evening of outdoor entertaining. We sit there thinking of the wonderful barbecues we will have, but there is work to do and we have to replace some furniture. Which should we choose
To insure the comfort of our guests and to maximize our success as a great host we need the right patio furniture. By choosing carefully our patio furniture we will not only provide a relaxing atmosphere to our guests but will improve our outdoor surroundings. There is on the market today patio furniture for any budget and for all decor. Choosing the right kind is important.
The following characteristics should be checked out when selecting patio furniture: it should look good and complement the style of the house, as well as the taste of the owner, and it should be of excellent quality since it will be subjected to much use from people, and sometimes even abuse from the elements.
The materials prevalent today in patio furniture are wood and wicker, but many homeowners also choose wrought iron for its durability, and stability, while others will opt for plastic.
In this article I will only compare Teak wood and Cedar.
Teak is a very hard wood native to Southeast Asia often used for large patios areas. It is highly weather resistant, and its natural oils makes it suitable for exposed areas, where durability is a factor.
Teak was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s in a style often known as Danish Modern, it seems to enjoy today a second boom in popularity.
We can still find vintage furniture and when available Teak is the one of most sought after by collectors. Year after year it remains strong and usable. It truly is a cool wood, it even stays cool under the hottest sun, and does not splinter, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Teak biggest drawback is of course its price but we cannot say that it is surprising considering its popularity and its outstanding qualities. The good news are that manufacturers of Teak products are taking strategies to bring the prices down worldwide, so more people will be able to afford it.
Another much prized wood is Cedar, and it is widely used for furniture. We all know the strong odor of Cedar and how distinctive it is, what many might not know if that odor makes it a great repellent to insects. Cedar can also withstand dryness and wet weather very well.
Used for garden furniture as well as construction of pergolas, Cedar is an excellent outdoor wood as it ages and dries without much changes. It will not warp, contract, or splinter. Any kind of paint or other finishes can be used and it is very easy to work with cedar for do-it-yourselfers.
I am sure many of you know the warm feeling, the calming effect that smelling cedar wood has on us. It is more affordable than teak and yet it will still make your patio a very special place.
So with two excellent choices for your outdoor furniture which will you select. Either one will give you years of service, with little maintenance. The choice is more a question of personal preference as you really cannot go wrong faced with theses qualities.
To insure the comfort of our guests and to maximize our success as a great host we need the right patio furniture. By choosing carefully our patio furniture we will not only provide a relaxing atmosphere to our guests but will improve our outdoor surroundings. There is on the market today patio furniture for any budget and for all decor. Choosing the right kind is important.
The following characteristics should be checked out when selecting patio furniture: it should look good and complement the style of the house, as well as the taste of the owner, and it should be of excellent quality since it will be subjected to much use from people, and sometimes even abuse from the elements.
The materials prevalent today in patio furniture are wood and wicker, but many homeowners also choose wrought iron for its durability, and stability, while others will opt for plastic.
In this article I will only compare Teak wood and Cedar.
Teak is a very hard wood native to Southeast Asia often used for large patios areas. It is highly weather resistant, and its natural oils makes it suitable for exposed areas, where durability is a factor.
Teak was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s in a style often known as Danish Modern, it seems to enjoy today a second boom in popularity.
We can still find vintage furniture and when available Teak is the one of most sought after by collectors. Year after year it remains strong and usable. It truly is a cool wood, it even stays cool under the hottest sun, and does not splinter, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Teak biggest drawback is of course its price but we cannot say that it is surprising considering its popularity and its outstanding qualities. The good news are that manufacturers of Teak products are taking strategies to bring the prices down worldwide, so more people will be able to afford it.
Another much prized wood is Cedar, and it is widely used for furniture. We all know the strong odor of Cedar and how distinctive it is, what many might not know if that odor makes it a great repellent to insects. Cedar can also withstand dryness and wet weather very well.
Used for garden furniture as well as construction of pergolas, Cedar is an excellent outdoor wood as it ages and dries without much changes. It will not warp, contract, or splinter. Any kind of paint or other finishes can be used and it is very easy to work with cedar for do-it-yourselfers.
I am sure many of you know the warm feeling, the calming effect that smelling cedar wood has on us. It is more affordable than teak and yet it will still make your patio a very special place.
So with two excellent choices for your outdoor furniture which will you select. Either one will give you years of service, with little maintenance. The choice is more a question of personal preference as you really cannot go wrong faced with theses qualities.
About the Author:
Steve Olbas is a retired furniture maker who now mostly enjoys life on his beautiful patio and teaches people how to build and lay out beautiful and functional decks and patios. For ideas on how to build your patio or your deck visit Steve's site This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.
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