Types of garden furniture: their characteristics and advantages

When choosing garden furniture, it is necessary to take into account a number of important factors on which its attractiveness, safety and ease of use depend. In order not to be mistaken in this matter, you should first understand the materials used for the manufacture of garden furniture, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of its main varieties.

Materials for garden furniture

Currently, the main materials for the manufacture of garden furniture are:

• tree;
• plastic;
• vine and twigs;
• metal;
• a rock.

Wicker furniture

This is an extremely popular variety of garden furniture. It is distinguished by its special aesthetic appeal, as well as its ability to harmonize with various open spaces, including balconies, gardens and terraces.

But wicker furniture is quite sensitive to external factors, especially weather. That is why in many regions it can be used only in dry weather and in the warm season.

If wicker garden furniture is planned to be used longer, then products made of artificial rattan are ideal. Outwardly, it practically does not differ from its natural counterpart, and in terms of durability and ease of care, it significantly exceeds its direct competitor.

In the case of wicker furniture made from natural materials, such as rattan, algae, willow twig or bamboo, it must be protected with a special varnish. It will prevent adverse atmospheric effects on it and significantly extend its life.

Wicker garden furniture is an attractive, easy-to-use and light, but at the same time weather-sensitive product. Products made from artificial rattan can stay in the open air longer than similar samples from natural material.

Plastic furniture

It is considered the most common variety of garden furniture. These are aesthetically attractive and at the same time short-lived products. For plastic, characterized primarily by lightness and cheapness, which is why it attracts the attention of many people. It also resists dampness, which allows products from it to be on the street even during rain.

As for the operational properties of plastic furniture, it is sensitive to temperature extremes. That is why it can not always be kept outdoors, especially in winter. Low and negative temperatures negatively affect the strength of plastic garden furniture. With some caution, such products must also be used in the sun, because under the direct influence of sunlight they can fade or be damaged.

Another disadvantage of plastic garden furniture is the impossibility of repair. If any product breaks, then it can only be replaced.

Plastic garden furniture is easy to use, light and cheap furniture. But it is impractical and short-lived, which is considered as its main disadvantages.

Wooden furniture

This is an environmentally friendly option and in harmony with the natural landscape. However, the tree used to make garden furniture is sensitive to atmospheric precipitation, the sun and weather.

A similar drawback was eliminated through the use of special impregnations, due to which wooden furniture provides the necessary durability. Wood is usually first treated with an antiseptic, and then varnished. This is an effective and reliable protection that allows you to use wooden furniture much longer. Wooden garden furniture is an environmentally friendly, easy to use and practical product that can last for many years with proper care.

Metal furniture

It can be considered as a fairly common product that can effectively withstand various weather conditions. That is why it is ideal for many gardens and terraces. Metal garden furniture can be very durable if you periodically update its cover and paint its surface with suitable compounds.

Modern metal furniture is represented by two main varieties, such as:

1. Forged;
2. Of alloys.

Wrought iron garden furniture made of cast iron or some other metal is quite heavy. Therefore, it is not as mobile as many owners of summer cottages want to see it. Alloy furniture is considered much lighter and, accordingly, mobile. But it is quite fragile, and also unable to withstand mechanical stress.

For metal garden furniture, seats, pillows, fabrics and wooden elements are required, since in the heat it quickly heats up, and in the cold, on the contrary, it rapidly cools. If it is used in our climatic conditions without combinations with other materials, then it will play the role mainly of decorating the site, but not of full-fledged garden furniture.

As you can see, metal garden furniture is durable and durable, but it can only be used in combination with wood and fabrics.

Stone furniture

For many, it is not as familiar as wooden, plastic or wicker furniture. Despite this, in gardens and parks you can meet certain stone products, such as benches. Stone furniture is more suitable for urban squares and parks than for suburban areas and private gardens.

Stone is a natural and environmentally friendly material, but like metal it is necessary to combine it with other materials. After all, the only way furniture from it can provide the necessary ease of use.

The stone is suitable for the manufacture of compact tables, various sculptural groups and other garden elements. But benches and chairs are still better made from other materials.

It can be concluded that stone garden furniture is particularly durable, but it is not very suitable for ordinary use in cottages and other similar areas.

When choosing garden furniture should be guided by the total amount of time in the year during which it will be operated on the street. If you want to use furniture all year, then preference should be given to plastic, stone or metal. If garden furniture in cold and frost can be brought indoors, then you can buy ordinary wicker or wooden products.