Outdoor Furniture

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-613 -- More Projects »
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I can't believe it's not wicker! This chair is actually a woven resin cover on an aluminum frame. Maintenance requirements are simple cleaning with soap and water.
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Figure A
Field reporter Joe Lovitt meets with outdoor-furniture expert Judy Mitchell, who shares tips on choosing and caring for aluminum, wrought-iron and wooden outdoor furniture.

  • Evaluate your entertainment needs when choosing outdoor furniture. How many people are in the family? How much entertaining do you plan on doing?

  • One of the latest types of furniture is made from solid-cast aluminum, which is heavy and easy to maintain. Designs featuring garden themes are very popular (figure A).

  • Extruded aluminum also features a rust-free finish and has a great casual look. Styles with slung fabric seating areas are very popular and easy to maintain. Just clean with soap and water and rinse with the hose.

  • Another type of aluminum furniture is the lightweight tubular variety. Usually this type of furniture features a woven-vinyl lace seating area.
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Figure B
  • Teak is a very solid, dense wood and will turn gray when exposed to the elements (figure B). Maintenance requires treatment with a cleaner and a brightening agent, as well as staining and oiling. Treatments will have to be repeated annually or even biannually, depending on the amount of sun exposure.

  • Liven up basic wrought-iron furniture by adding a set of colorful seat cushions. Avoid buying cushions with foam-core inserts because the foam is prone to mildew. For best results, use cushions that are filled with polydacron.

  • Adding a coordinating umbrella is another way to add a lot of visual impact to a basic iron patio set. Be sure to secure the umbrella firmly in a heavy base to prevent it from blowing away. Throw in some matching place mats to complete the look.

  • Resin plastic is another type of outdoor furniture. The plastic seating areas do not breathe very well, though, so it's best to use cushions with this type of furniture.

  • Cedar furniture will weather and turn gray. Staining or painting it will avoid graying, but it will have to be repainted annually.

  • Always cover outdoor furniture during the winter months.
  • Guests
    Judy Mitchell
    Outdoor Furniture Expert, Hoigaard's
    3550 S. Highway 100
    St. Louis Park, MN 55416
    Phone: 952-929-1351
    Fax: 952-929-2669
    Website: www.hoigaards.com
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