How To Select Synthetic Outdoor Wicker Furniture
Perhaps you have seen wicker furniture at a neighbor's house, and said to yourself, "Boy, that looks great, but I know it would cost too much for me to buy." If so, then we have a pleasant surprise for you: wicker furniture is now available using synthetic materials - at a surprisingly low cost. This article is designed to help you understand the basics of synthetic wicker outdoor furniture. But First, A Little History Before there was synthetic wicker outdoor furniture, there was just wicker. What is wicker? Wicker is not a material, but a technique. Any useful object that is a hand-woven item qualifies as 'wicker.' Most people are familiar with the traditional wicker furniture item, woven from organic (plant or wood) materials. This type of wicker goes back thousands of years - to ancient times. Yes, we have those items today - that's how durable wicker is! Wicker furniture manufacturers love to produce these items because they can be priced within everyone's budget. Indeed, in some parts of the country, wicker items are hard to come by, because they sell so well. Today's synthetic wicker outdoor furniture is the modern equivalent of a very, very old product. What Types of Synthetic Wicker Outdoor Furniture Are Available? As to materials used, the woven fibers in synthetic wicker outdoor furniture are of two basic types: resin and plastic. The resin-type is lightweight, comes in a multitude of colors (because it is man-made), and requires really no maintenance (other than an occasional cleaning). In the opinion of some, the resin type of synthetic wicker outdoor furniture is more durable than the furniture woven with plastic fibers, although both are lightweight and come in a variety of colors. The key benefit of using 'synthetic' materials in synthetic wicker outdoor furniture is their durability. They will last and last. Your synthetic wicker outdoor furniture will probably not even need painting, as the color is actually imbedded into the synthetic material itself instead of being painted on. Also, bugs, humidity, rain and UV rays from the sun will not damage it. Synthetic wicker outdoor furniture has been touted as the 'all season' outdoor furniture, and for good reason. It would be advisable to purchase synthetic wicker outdoor furniture items which are constructed (or woven) on a good, sturdy frame - steel is good, as is aluminum. This is especially crucial if you are purchasing a large piece, such as a sofa or loveseat. A good quality frame does not greatly add to the cost of most types of synthetic wicker outdoor furniture, and it will help it to last much longer. Synthetic wicker outdoor furniture pieces can include the above-mentioned sofas and loveseats, which typically seat 2-3 people, as well as chaise lounges, tables, outdoor bar stands & stools, rocking-chair. Perfect For Special Purposes Synthetic wicker outdoor furniture is ideally adapted for use in environments which are humid (such as southern climates in the US) or too wet (such as near the beach or at poolside) for traditional wicker made from plants and woods. It also is very easy to clean, and the resin, plastic or vinyl fibers used in synthetic wicker outdoor furniture are more supple than their organic counterparts - making them much more comfortable to sit in. You also don't have to worry about plant fibers splitting or getting splinters! |
