Choosing outdoor furniture is a much bigger decision than it was 20 years ago. With the ever-expanding choice of materials, styles and accessories available in outdoor furniture, people are increasing the amount of time they spend in everyday outdoor living, as well as outdoor entertaining. Many homes have multiple out-of-door environments that require furniture, rugs and accessories, including decks, porches, patios, gazebos and sunrooms. In addition, "garden decorating" has become a dominant theme in indoor décor, with wicker, metal, wood and rattan adding a casual, fresh air feel to many indoor environments.
Durability and Style
At House of Oak & Sofas we pay particular attention to both the durability and the style of outdoor furnishings. As usual, we do not offer the least expensive furniture, but rather concentrate on furniture that will look good 3-5 years from now rather than this season only. As with indoor furniture, our emphasis on quality materials and manufacturing means that furniture will not need to be replaced as quickly. Also, by using sun-fast fabrics and materials, we avoid furniture that remains bright and attractive for more than a couple seasons.
Materials
Aluminum, polyethylene and poly-wood are popular materials for withstanding the elements. With aluminum you can avoid the rust marks that can permanently discolor wood and concrete surfaces. Polyethylene and acrylic fibers are used in sling and cushion fabric, as well as our all-weather wicker line to provide durability through the hot and cold seasons. Where PVC chairs and fabrics will become brittle and crack when left outdoors in the winter, or stored in unheated storage, polyethylene will retain its flexibility and durability. Poly-wood provides the aesthetics of wood without the constant upkeep of staining or painting, and also avoids the use of treated lumbers which people avoid for both aesthetic and health reasons.
Seasonal Care
Finally, a major consideration in rainy climates should be ease of seasonal care. Although wood gives a rustic feel to the garden, it dries the slowest after a shower. Although outdoor cushions resist water and dry out quickly, they take long enough to dry out that many homeowners choose to shuttle the cushions in and out with each shower. However, polyethylene wrapped wicker, as well as acrylic and polyester upholstered sling furniture, will dry off the quickest and provide year long seating with minimal care. Some of our most popular furniture for outdoor living, therefore, are the aluminum framed wicker and the aluminum framed sling-type chairs.
Why customers pay more for outdoor furniture?
- Easy to use--stays outdoors
- Superior construction yields longer life
- High quality materials mean bright colors don't fade
- Aluminum frames do not mark decks and patios with rust marks
