By Owen Jones
If you want to get some new garden furniture, the first thing to do is think about the styles of garden furniture that would suit your garden and your requirements. If you already have an idea of what you would like, you are already half way there, otherwise you will have to do some research on the different styles of garden furniture
This research can be done on line very easily by typing 'garden furniture' into Google, but if you would rather more depth on the furniture, you could get a few magazines on gardening and landscaping. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can go around the home improvement stores and the garden centres.
In fact, you will have to go to the shops sooner or later anyway unless you intend buying on line too. I personally like to do some research on the Internet first and then use the knowledge that I gleaned from there to make informed decisions in the store. I do not really trust the photos. I want to see and touch the garden furniture and check the joints and finish.
Once you get to the garden centre, you will discover different styles of garden furniture including: farmhouse or rustic, contemporary or modern, resort or poolside and these can be manufactured from hardwood, softwood, plastic or metal.
Hardwood is by far the most popular material for garden furniture and most people prefer the farmhouse style, although there are some excellent modern styles as well.
No matter which style you prefer or what it is manufactured of the number one best piece of advice is to get the best quality that you can afford. This is true of most items you can buy, but I think that it is especially true of garden furniture because it has a very hard life. Just think about it: snow, rain, heat; temperatures varying from -5c to + 35c and varying humidity.
Cheap plastic cannot erect with those circumstances. I used to buy cheap plastic and needed to replace it every eighteen months. Then I bought expensive plastic and I still have some of that but in essence it only lasted three years. I have seen metal garden furniture and it always rusts, even if it is plastic coated, enamelled or painted. Softwood lasts well, but it will rot after approximately five years even if it is quite well taken care of.
The only garden furniture that I have ever bought or seen at friends' houses that lasts and looks good all that time is hardwood. There is a wide selection of hardwoods. There are native hardwoods like oak, cherry, walnut, maple and beech and foreign hardwoods like mahogany and teak. These hardwoods can also be stained to virtually any colour although most people prefer the natural look.
Hardwood garden furniture is simple to keep in good condition too: just rub it over with linseed oil once or twice a year. If you carry out this uncomplicated maintenance procedure the wood will not dry out and it will endure the elements for twenty years or more ensuring that you get the greatest value for money from this, the best of all the styles of garden furniture.
This research can be done on line very easily by typing 'garden furniture' into Google, but if you would rather more depth on the furniture, you could get a few magazines on gardening and landscaping. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can go around the home improvement stores and the garden centres.
In fact, you will have to go to the shops sooner or later anyway unless you intend buying on line too. I personally like to do some research on the Internet first and then use the knowledge that I gleaned from there to make informed decisions in the store. I do not really trust the photos. I want to see and touch the garden furniture and check the joints and finish.
Once you get to the garden centre, you will discover different styles of garden furniture including: farmhouse or rustic, contemporary or modern, resort or poolside and these can be manufactured from hardwood, softwood, plastic or metal.
Hardwood is by far the most popular material for garden furniture and most people prefer the farmhouse style, although there are some excellent modern styles as well.
No matter which style you prefer or what it is manufactured of the number one best piece of advice is to get the best quality that you can afford. This is true of most items you can buy, but I think that it is especially true of garden furniture because it has a very hard life. Just think about it: snow, rain, heat; temperatures varying from -5c to + 35c and varying humidity.
Cheap plastic cannot erect with those circumstances. I used to buy cheap plastic and needed to replace it every eighteen months. Then I bought expensive plastic and I still have some of that but in essence it only lasted three years. I have seen metal garden furniture and it always rusts, even if it is plastic coated, enamelled or painted. Softwood lasts well, but it will rot after approximately five years even if it is quite well taken care of.
The only garden furniture that I have ever bought or seen at friends' houses that lasts and looks good all that time is hardwood. There is a wide selection of hardwoods. There are native hardwoods like oak, cherry, walnut, maple and beech and foreign hardwoods like mahogany and teak. These hardwoods can also be stained to virtually any colour although most people prefer the natural look.
Hardwood garden furniture is simple to keep in good condition too: just rub it over with linseed oil once or twice a year. If you carry out this uncomplicated maintenance procedure the wood will not dry out and it will endure the elements for twenty years or more ensuring that you get the greatest value for money from this, the best of all the styles of garden furniture.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a variety of subjects, but is now involved with farmhouse dining tables. If you would like to know more, please visit our website atSolid Oak Dining Tables.
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