Posts Tagged ‘Outdoor Living’

Teak Patio Furniture: Tips For Selecting Durable And Attractive Outdoor Furniture

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Teak patio furniture is known for its durability, beauty and resistance to deterioration. Outdoor living space is popular in all parts of this country, but beautiful and long-lasting outdoor furniture makes your patio space a part of your living room. Even in cold climates, more people are using space heaters and durable Teak Patio Furniture to make use of your outdoor rooms during more months each year.

Teak is a dense, coarse-grained hardwood found mostly in the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia. Many of the forests are managed plots under the control of the government. These large deciduous trees are part of the mint family, botanically. Teak wood is impervious to moisture and is used for boat decks, outdoor furniture, indoor floors and veneers for indoor furniture. Teak wood is harvested from the tree trunks.

Teak wood contains a silica substance that leaves the teak wood resistant to mold and fungus attacks. Chemicals in the environment are prevented. The hardwood also contains a heavy dose of resinous oils. Teak Patio Furniture is naturally resistant to moisture and insects, including termites. Teak also fights off rot and rust marks where it comes in contact with metal.

The color of teak is a natural honey-colored brown at harvest. Teak Patio Furniture will weather in the elements, turning a lovely silver gray. Further exposure to the elements makes the silver gray darken to a gray with dark green hues. Even the the color fades to silver, the wood maintains its resistance to all the harmful influences.

Teak wood can be left untreated and will do just fine as Teak Patio Furniture, but it can also be maintained with no color deterioration by sanding down the teak furniture periodically. If you apply teak oil, it prolongs the time between the need for sanding. If teak oil is applied every 3-4 months along with sanding the furniture, the color can be maintained with the honey color indefinitely. It should be noted that teak oil doesn't make the wood last longer, it only maintains the color.

If you want to stain teak, you can do so, but you must understand that the stain is meant to last as long as the wood. To remove stain, you would need to do some heavy-duty sanding in order to remove the entire surface of the wood and get back to new wood again. The advantage of staining is that it requires less care to keep it at the desired color.

If your patio tends to collect puddles of water, you should take care that the Teak Patio Furniture doesn't sit in a puddle. The water will soak into the wood and may cause deterioration. Similarly, wet ground underneath your furniture is a no-no. If you have less than dry winter weather, you should either cover the furniture or move it under cover.

No matter what type of teak patio furniture pieces you choose, you can enjoy the use for years. Some maintenance is required. You can choose the level of care that you want to put into outdoor furniture. Care can be as simple as occasional sanding and adding a coat of teak oil.

Looking for the book perfect Patio Furniture sets can be fun and fast if you know where to look! Find stunning Teak Patio Furniture that will fit any decor and give your home a unique and distinctive look now!

Which Economy Grade Grass Carpet Is The Best For Your Project?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

A few years back outdoor carpet came in one color dark green. Today manufactures are making outdoor carpet in a variety of colors and grades, from economic grade grass to high grade grass carpet. What you choose depends on many factors. These choices are explained below.

Out of all of the outdoor carpets the grass grade is the easiest to maintain and the least expensive. This type usually lasts for a long time. It is often used for decks patios, pools and other outdoor areas that are exposed to the harsh weather elements. It is popular in the south because can withstand the climate.

When purchasing outdoor carpet, it best to buy one that is made with olefin. This carpet is moisture, stain and fade resistant. Before you purchase any type of outdoor carpeting there are a few things to consider they are; activity levels, placement and moisture levels. This will help determine what specifics your carpet will need.

Placement of the carpet will help you decide between economy grade grass and high grade grass carpet. If it will be exposed to the direct sun you will need carpet that is specially made to prevent fading. If your carpet will be by the pool you will need your carpet to withstand chemicals used in pools.

If your carpet will be exposed to moisture then you need economy grade grass moisture you will need with a marine backing. This backing allows the moisture to drain away, protecting you from build up of mold and mildew. Remember that moister can come from rain and humidity.

If your carpet will be placed in high traffic areas or areas where children will be playing then you need a thicker higher grade of carpet. The thickness will make it more durable and it will be softer to walk on.

Before you buy carpeting you should first compare thickness and carpet backing. The general rule is the thicker the carpet the longer it will last. General it is the high grade grass carpets that is thicker and has a specific backing.

Then you need to compare different brands, and different stores. Lastly, consider where your carpet will be placed and what it will be used for. This will help you decide what economy grade grass carpet will work best for you.

OutdoorCarpetGuide.com is the Internet's premier resource for outdoor carpet tiles, with facts and articles on topics such as fit outdoor carpets, and much more. Click the links above for more information !