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Garden
furniture has become more sophisticated and while a picnic bench or
folding chair was adequate now full scale entertaining in the garden
has changed the need for comfortable furniture. Of course there is also a wide range
of luxurious lounging furniture availabe. Designer garden furniture
can also make a bold statement on the lawn or patio. If you are not
buying all weather furniture then ensure that you have over winter
storage. Softwoods can look attracive but require annual maintenace.
Metal can be revitalised with a coat of paint. The bench can be a
simple slab of stone or timber beside a narrow path. The traditional
bench is as much part of the garden as the plants which is why it
is often positioned within a bower or alcove. Garden furniture can
be used to provide points of colour within a garden scheme in the
same way as flowers. Simple chairs painted in a bright colour look
great against a green background.
Freestanding furniture needs to be to be planned and positioned with
care. On the practical side it has to be comfortable and in the case
of dining furniture have have a firm surface to stand on. Loungers
are best suited to decking or paving. Unless you are buying furniture
as a set always check that the chairs are the correct height for the
table. However good looking timber, stone and metal may be they are
not comfortable for long periods and cushions are the obvious answer.
They will need to be kept indoors when not in use. All furniture will
benefit from being positioned in a well sheltered spot, screened by
banks, hedges, walls or other types of screen.
A Summerhouse or Gazebo may seem like an extravagance but large
gardens can use a place to shelter or sit and in small gardens they
make a great focal point. Depending on position they can be shaped
to give all round vision or be enclosed on some sides. The majority
are made from timber which blends in better with a background of shrubs
or trees. They are best sited where they can allow you to enjoy a
fine or unexpected view. The size and style is restricted only by
your imagination.
Garden furniture using Teak for the outdoors
As a natural wood product the colour of the grain will vary from garden
furniture piece to piece when new. When exposed to the elements any
variations will rapidly even out and after 6-12 months the timber
will mature to a silver grey colour. During the summer, when we hope
it is dry, small breathing cracks will appear in your garden furniture
usually on the end grain. These are quite normal and with an increase
in the moisture in the atmosphere will close up again. They have no
structural affect on the garden furniture whatsover. Any spills or
stains will eventually be bleached out by the elements but we would
advise you to wash then down with a light detergent at the time. Once
Teak furniture has weathered it can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a hard
bristle brush. A capful of bleach will help to keep any algae growth
down. Alternatively you can use a pressure hose set to a pressure
of 60-80 bar at a distance of 6-8". Simply brush over the surface
and it will remove the very thin lair of oxidisation. Treat joints
and dowels gently and do not be tempted to blast the furniture at
close range as this will result in rutting in the grain. This process
will revonate the furniture to almost as new.
Treating with oil or any other preservative will not extend the life
of your garden furniture. Such treatments were invented to protect
inferior timbers. We advise against using oil as it can give a very
mottled finish and once done needs to be repeated every 6 months.
If you want to persevere it should be applied when the furniture is
new. Brush off any dust and apply one light coat with a sponge or
brush removing any surplus oil. The oil will gradually fade over the
season and if you wish to reapply then you must clean off the old
coat first with a pressure hose or soapy water as above. Finally you
must ensure the wood is completely dry before applying the new coat
(Seven days), if the old coat is not removed then repeated applications
will blacken the wood. |
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