Outdoor Furniture Plus' Blog

The so-called “King of Hardwoods,” teak is one of the most popular materials found in patio furniture, and it’s because its benefits are so numerous. More weather-resistant than other types of wood, teak is attractive and long-lasting. That being said, there are two problems that arise as a result of how sought after teak is: the first is the myriad of retailers selling other wood furniture and calling it teak. The second problem is of an environmental nature, and involves the illegal practices sometimes associated with the harvesting of limited natural resources.

Fake Teak
You would not believe how many furniture suppliers sell knock-off teak. By using carefully chosen wording they can claim to be selling Grade A teak when actually they are simply trying to pass off lower grades of wood furniture. The first thing to look out for is anything that has been “teak oiled.” The oils in teak help to naturally protect furniture from the heartwood out by making it stronger and resistant to drying out, mildew, even insects. Because teak oil is so invaluable companies have taken to coating other types of wood with the oil to better protect it. Although this does indeed benefit other types of wood furniture, nine times out of ten you’re not dealing with actual teak wood when you see that something has merely been teak oiled.

A second buzzword to look out for is anything claiming to be “teak-like.” This purposefully broad and vague term can mean anything that even remotely embodies one or a few characteristics of teak. Many such models will actually be made from shorea. This is not to say there is anything bad about shorea. On the contrary, shorea is a very popular and durable hardwood; however, it’s false advertising (not to mention an elevated price tag) to sell something labeled as teak when it is not. A good indicator is to look out for descriptions that might list some of the more popular varieties of shorea, so you know that it’s not teak you’re dealing with. These include the following species: Almon, Balau, and Meranti.

Eco-Conservation
A second pitfall that invariably arises from the popularity of teak furniture is its cultivation. Like so many other types of wood, the lumber industry is one that is often exploited, to the tune of deforestation and destruction of natural habitats. Over-logging also leads to soil erosion and can even change the weather and atmosphere in extreme cases of deforestation. Unfortunately, logging practices are woefully under-regulated, especially in third world countries.

Teak is native to the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia. To meet the ever-growing demands of the West, many companies have resorted to unscrupulous methods that act to deplete the native rainforest and its wildlife. The first key is knowing your retailer, where they harvest their wood from, and their practices.

A second indicator is what species of teak you’re looking at. Tectona grandis (common teak) is the only species in abundance and fit for mass cultivation. The other two species of teak, Tectona hamiltoniana (Dahat teak) and Tectona philippinensis (Philippine teak) are highly endangered and should be left alone. The more people take note, the less these endangered species will be successfully sold, and hopefully in time their numbers will increase enough to be taken off the endangered list.

You don’t need to live in the country or even the suburbs to be able to enjoy a flourishing, bright array of plants, flowers and vegetables. And with Spring right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about your horticultural options.

Planter boxes are great gardening tools for many reasons. For one thing, they are portable so you can change the location of plants depending on the weather, amount of sunlight, or if you just want to rearrange your patio. They are also nice because they limit the need for weeding. At the same time, boxes can be moved onto planter benches or other table spaces so you can work on your green thumb without hurting your back and knees from bending over on the ground. Planter boxes are especially great for people with limited or unorthodox growing spots, like rooftop or terrace gardens.

There are three main types of planter boxes: freestanding, mounted and windowsill. Freestanding planters can easily be moved anywhere along the ground, while mounted boxes are affixed to walls, fences, etc. Windowsill boxes are ideal for people living in high-rise apartments or just anyone without a patio or growing space.

In addition to the main designs, planter boxes are also available in a number of different materials, some of which will work better than others to suit your own individual needs. Here are some of the more popular materials:

Wooden Planter Boxes

These natural boxes are made from durable hardwoods, such as teak, cedar or shorea, woods that are hearty and weather-resistant. They boast warm tones and some, like cedar, give off a pleasant natural aroma. The wood can be stained, painted or modified in a number of ways to suit different aesthetics.

Resin Planter Boxes

Resin is a synthetic material made from high-grade polymer that is basically an extra strong plastic. Resin planters and furniture is great because it’s cheap, easy to clean, and virtually maintenance-free. Plus, resin furniture is offered in a myriad of colors and design because of the malleability of the material. Resin also has the advantage of being lightweight, which can be a blessing once your planter is full to the brim with heavy soil.

Clay Planter Boxes

Clay is one of the most ancient and readily available of building materials. The art of pottery is a tradition that has been passed down from one generation to the next in many societies. Today, many clay planters are still made by hand. Clay is a nice choice because it looks more natural like wood, with chocolate to reddish brown tones. It’s also very weather-resistant, waterproof and resistant to temperature changes.

Metal Planter Boxes

Metal might seem like an odd choice for planter boxes. Who would want a heavy metal cube that’s made even heavier with the addition of potting soil? Actually, some types of metal make for the lightest planters, especially aluminum. Then there is wrought iron, which is considerably heavier, but hearkens to an elegant English charm. The main considerations for choosing metal planters are to check if there is a good drainage system in place (standing water can make roots rot), and also to make sure planters are coated with a rust inhibitor seal coating.

Resin patio furniture is some one of the most maintenance-free types of outdoor furniture on the market. It won’t decay, or rust and is simple to clean. However, a certain amount of upkeep is required to keep furniture looking new and at its best. Though you may only enjoy your resin furniture a few months out of the year, maintenance is a job that is needed throughout the year, not just in the summery months. Here are some simple tips for proper upkeep.

Spring
Springtime is when the ground awakens and animals come out of hibernation. It’s also the season to dust off and uncover furniture that’s been laying in storage during the cold months. The first thing to do is remove and store any tarps or other protective covers. These tarps will need to be dry and to save on space, folded neatly.

The next step is to assess any damage or wear that may have set in while furniture was in storage or something from the previous season. Look for any signs of warping or cracking as these could be signs of more serious damage. Luckily, insects and mold are not really a concern when it comes to a synthetic material like resin, so there’s little worry of infestation.

Once you’ve looked furniture over, give it a good spray with your garden hose and clean off any cobwebs, dust, dirt and grime.

Summer
In summer, this is when resin furniture will likely be used the most. The key during the summer months is prevention. For starters, leaving resin out in the sun for prolonged periods of time may lead to warping, so keep an eye out. At the same time, there are certain manmade problems that can arise. Wipe off any spills or suntan lotion that falls onto furniture, as these can seep into the relatively porous material and leave permanent stains. Also, don’t throw furniture in the pool. Some water is fine, but prolonged exposure to chlorine is bad for all types of patio furniture, as it damages the finish.

Autumn
Once the weather starts to cool down you will have to decide when to put furniture away. If you don’t plan on using much more in the fall season, you can store furniture earlier and avoid autumn storms and the first frost. Or you can wait awhile longer, as resin takes moisture much better than wood and metal.

However, when you do go to cover furniture, make sure it and the surrounding area are completely dry before applying tarps. This will prevent any mildew or pests from inhabiting the same area. If you have the room, bringing furniture inside is obviously the best way to keep it in good shape, but tightly secure coverings will function just as well.

Winter
You won’t be thinking too much about patio furniture during winter, and luckily there’s not much to be done. If you feel so inclined, every so often check to make sure your tarp is secured. When in storage, make sure furniture is not being compressed by anything heavier that could cause it to crack, and keep space heaters at bay, which dry out the air and could also lead to cracking. Aside from that, a little dusting never hurt. And when that’s all done, all that’s left to do will be to dream about warmer days ahead!

A popular staple on patios, the Adirondack chair has been around for just over a century and is uniquely American in design and evolution. It owes an interesting history to not one, but three distinct individuals. Over the past 100 years, three men have made and molded the Adirondack into what it is today.

The original inventor of the Adirondack design is a man by the name of Thomas Lee. Around the turn of the century, Lee and his family were vacationing in upstate New York, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Looking for a more suitable chair for the rugged, outdoor terrain, he set out to build a simple yet functional seat that would keep him and his family comfortable. To be clear, the Adirondack chair was not invented to make a quick buck; it wasn’t even invented by a furniture designer.

Lee’s original design consisted of eleven pieces of wood cut from a single board and constructed with the distinct look still around today: a high, angled backrest with extra wide armrests. Though today many praise the Adirondack for its ergonomic benefits, the original reason the backrest was sloped was so as to accommodate the steep, mountainous terrain.

Once satisfied with his prototype, Lee decided to unveil his chair to the general populous in town. The design immediately was well received, and unfortunately also became envied by some particularly unscrupulous sorts. One man in particular, Harry Bunnell, took a noted interest in Lee’s chair. Because Lee never intended to turn a profit, Bunnell had no problem passing the chair off as his own invention, especially after he acquired a patent for it in 1905.

Over the next few decades Bunnell worked on and tinkered with the basic design of what he now called “Westport Chairs.” Though some variations crept up, the most popular version remained and remains still today Lee’s original model.

As much as Bunnell was a sly entrepreneur, it was a man by the name of Sam Maloof who launched the Adirondack chair into a national spotlight. Maloof was an amateur furniture craftsman for a number of years, working on designs from his garage studio. After WWII, Maloof began getting commissioned requests for his work. His forte? Why, Adirondack chairs, of course. The so-called “Hemingway of Hardwood” was so popular and well-known that his work came to be on display in museums throughout the country and his designs were a favorite of some celebrities. Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy Jr. all owned Maloof rockers.

Though not necessarily the most scintillating of topics, it’s still important to have good garden hose maintenance. At first it might seem like a completely common sense sort of conversation, but the different types, tips and techniques associated with hoses can get relatively in-depth. Here is a basic overview of what to look for, suggestions for proper care and some tips for proper lawn care.

Tips for proper watering

1. Don’t water your lawn or plants when it is not necessary to do so
Many people make the mistake of overwatering, which not only often leads to water shortages and rationing during summer, but it can also be bad for some plants. If your hose or sprinkler is on a timer, make sure they don’t turn on when it’s raining or if the ground is already plenty damp.

2. Do your watering early in the morning
The earlier you water, the less moisture is lost from evaporation. The majority of evaporation occurs in the middle of the day, when it’s hottest and the sun is directly overhead.

3. Water sufficiently, but not too often
In general, plants react better to a good soaking once or twice a week than by being lightly sprinkled on each day. By watering the roots of a plant and then allowing the soil to dry out fully encourages roots to grow deeper into the ground, searching for more water.

Types of Hoses
There are a few different types of hoses are far as what materials they are made out of, and how they are shaped. A general tip: a good hose can handle a minimum of 50 lbs per square inch of water pressure. Also, the wider the hose the faster the flow of water, which could be either good or bad, depending on what you’re watering and how much water it requires.

Rubber
-Very weather-resistant
-Cheap rubber hoses wear out more quickly, often in as little as a few months
-Reinforced with a durable tire cord fiber
-Resistant to weathering, kinks and cracks
-Most durable of all materials
-Can be used with hot water

Vinyl Hose
-Most common and easiest to find
-Most affordable
-Can be susceptible to sun damage
-Deteriorates quicker than rubber
-Lightweight
-Kinks easily

Rubber-Vinyl Hose
-Best of both worlds
-Durability and toughness of rubber
-Lightness of vinyl
-Easiest to handle
-Reinforced with tire cord fiber
-Kink resistance
-Abrasion resistance

Flat Hose
-Stores compactly
-Must be extended completely before water can pass through
-Must be drained before storage
-Resistant to freezing, cracking and weathering
-1/3 the weight of normal hoses with same water capacity
-Come with their own reels
-Never kink or tangle

Soaker hoses
-Contain tiny holes along the entire length
-Meant to lie on the ground or be anchored beneath a light layer of mulch
-Waters plants directly at the roots
-Less susceptible to water loss by evaporation
-Slow, controlled water seepage
-Saves on water
-Made from vinyl, canvas, rubber or plastic

Coil Hose
-Shaped like a spring or coil
-Recoils after each use for easy storage
-Weather-resistant
-Made from nylon or polyurethane

Hose Holders
Oftentimes more interesting than the hose itself is the holder, which can be plain or very ornate. Hose holders are important not only for keeping the lawn neat, but they prevent hoses from wearing out. Hoses left on the ground or out in the sun are more likely to be damaged, and the sun will also heat the water inside the hose. Holders also reduce kinking and knotting. There are two main types of holders: the hose hanger and the hose reel.

Hose Hanger
-Made from a variety of materials, styles and shapes
-Compact and efficient
-Mount easily to the outside of houses or garages
-Hose gets draped or wrapped over the hanging brackets for quick and easy storage

Hose Reel
-Great for big lawns, especially units with wheels
-Compact and efficient
-Coils hose around with rotary action
-Some are mounted to structures, others are mobile and freestanding
-Usually incorporate a leader hose