Creating The Perfect Outdoor Space
The elements for relaxing outdoor living and entertaining can be as budget conscious or as elaborate as one wants to go. Most of us are cutting corners these days with regard to vacations and are opting instead for outdoor home improvements and outdoor living areas for quiet times, celebrations and “stay-cations.” The most important element in a well-defined and well-enjoyed outdoor living space is outdoor furniture that fits our personal style and our particular budget, there are many choices available. A natural futon mattress covered with a weather and sun resistant outdoor fabric sitting on a solid white oak futon frame with teak oil finish is a new concept in outdoor furniture. The most popular types of outdoor furniture up to now has been wood, aluminum, steel or iron, wicker, and plastic or pvc.
The Best Wood For Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture made from solid white oak wood is attractive and sturdy, but does require some regular maintenance with a UV resistant stain in the form of TEAK OIL, as a protectant from water and sun. Also, stainless steel hardware must be used as all other types of metal will eventually rust. Make sure you know what type of wood you’re buying and how to take care of it to prevent splitting, cracking, rotting, or bug infestation. Select woods that have an innate resistance to rot, mold, and decay-causing insects and organisms. Most woods are not suitable for outdoor furniture, however two main categories of hardwoods that do hold up to the demands of the outdoor environment are, tropical hardwoods and domestic hardwoods. Examples of Tropical hardwoods include Mahogany, Balau and Teak. Examples of domestic hardwoods include white oak, black cherry. A few other examples include weather-resistant woods are, redwood, cypress and cedar. All of these woods have physical barriers to rot built into the pores of the wood, called tyloses. They actually fill the pores of these fine woods, blocking out moisture and decay causing organisms. Other varieties such as cypress or redwood have natural chemicals that repel insects, bacteria and are resistant to rotting.
When buying outdoor furniture it is important that all ingredients be weather resistant, not just one portion. It is a wonderful experience on a warm summer night, to tuck in under the stars on your outdoor futon and enjoy the crisp cool night air.
Just Lean Back is a company that makes great outdoor futon frames made out of solid hardwood.
Everything You Need To Know About Futons
