Outdoor Furniture For Any Climate
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes for such sites as http://www.outdoorfurnitureplus.com/
People choose to live in all different parts of the country, indeed the world, for a variety of reasons. Among them, the weather plays a large role. Some people prefer the balmy climes and beaches of Miami, while others prefer the crisp mountain air and skiing opportunities of Aspen. Interestingly enough, your choice of outdoor furniture should also reflect your choice of city, as some materials hold up better than others under certain conditions.
Wicker
Wicker outdoor furniture, including rattan, is not good for regions prone to large amounts of rain or snow. That’s because pretty much every kind of wicker, from cane to paper, does not hold up well when it gets wet. The delicate fibers will start to fall apart under prolonged moisture, but it is this delicacy which gives wicker its distinct look and charm. The best places to own wicker is if you live in a dry, warm area.
For example, one often sees wicker outdoor furniture gracing porches and sunrooms in the deep south, but they also work well in Arizona. At the same time, however, wicker can handle a fair amount of humidity. In fact, some humidity is good for keeping the fibers intact; if they get too dry they will begin to crack and break down. In very dry regions, like the Southwest, you may need to moisten furniture sporadically using a lightly dampened cloth.
Good for: hot and humid regions, like the Deep South
Bad for: Damp and cold regions, like the northern states
Metal
There are two especially popular types of metal outdoor furniture. These are aluminum and wrought iron. Aluminum is prized for being as lightweight as it is, but this also means that it may not be ideal for windy climates. Wrought iron is the opposite, or very heavy, so it can handle much windier areas. However, there is one part of the country where metal outdoor furniture should be avoided altogether, and that’s coastal regions.
That’s because while metal is prone to rust after a long enough period of time, even with protective coatings, saltwater actually speeds up the oxidation process. This means that if you live anywhere close to the beach (of an ocean, that is) even if you’re not exactly beachfront, there’s a strong likelihood that some of that saltwater will be carried through the air, the sand, etc. and get onto your furniture.
Good for: anywhere inland
Bad for: Coastal cities
Wood
Wood outdoor furniture is some of the strongest and most versatile patio furniture available to buy. Hardwoods like shorea and cedar are extremely strong, and others like teak were originally used on boat decks. In fact, teak is a great choice for coast towns because not only does the wood withstand saltwater admirably, but it even protects any surroundings metals from oxidizing as quickly.
The best thing to look for when shopping around for wood outdoor furniture is what varieties of tree are native to your part of the world. This will make furniture cost less because it does not have to be transported as far. For example, cedar is predominant in many parts of the US. Granted, some exotic woods like teak, from the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia, are an exception.
Good for: Pretty much anywhere
Bad for: Depending on the type of wood, some woods are more delicate and should not be exposed to as much inclement weather as a hardwood can
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