Buying Fabric For Your Wicker Sunroom Furniture
How to Select Fabric for Sunroom Furniture
Are you considering buying fabric and cushions for the wicker furniture in your sunroom? If yes, there are a few points to remember. To begin with, on seeing the price marked on wicker furniture, do not confuse it with the price of cushions put on with it because they are always priced separately. If the selections that you see do not satisfy you, then know whether you can place an order of a different kind of fabric for the cushions. If that is not possible, and you have already bought standard sizes of furniture, then also you will find the type of fabric that suits your taste. You should also think if you require shielding the material with some sort of stain guard. Protecting the fabric is a good idea if you plan to entertain guests in the sunroom, eat your meals there or expect a lot of people pouring into that room now and then. You will be easily able to clean any spills on the cushions and the fabric will also have a fresh look for a longer period of time.
How to maintain your wicker furniture
An advantage of rattan or wicker furniture is that it requires low maintenance or looking after in order to keep up their good looks and condition. What should be done is to dust them often because like any other exposed surface in your sunroom, a wicker weave will also gain a lot of falling dust. Use a wet cloth or a vacuum with a pointed, slim attachment to keep the furniture free of dust.
There is a wide array of colors in which you can find wicker furniture, and you can also get them painted with a color of your choice. But keep in mind, that if the wicker has a coat of varnish, then you will have to use a primer for the color to remain. It is possible to sand wicker, but if done with too much force, the reeds could be damaged without repair and become less strong and supportive. If the weave ever cracks up or splits, then you can take resort to so many kinds of stains, paints, glosses or furniture color and other touch up items to maintain the uniformity of the color.
After certain time, the weave may show unraveling. In this case, you can get repaired by redoing the weave. But get sufficient information on pricing for repairing the weave, because it may be less expensive to buy new furniture than redoing the sunroom wicker furniture.
Cane Furniture – Ideal For Conservatory
Cane furniture, otherwise known as rattan or wicker furniture, is known for its strength and durability. Cane itself, as a raw building material, is very tough and resistant to damage. Due to its toughness, it is impossible to work with cane when it is in its raw, unprocessed form. The cane needs to be treated with heat so that it will be soft enough for the workers to work with.
Cane processing is not a new discovery. Different species of cane are abundantly available mostly in Asian countries like Indonesia. Many years ago, the natives had already learned how to work with cane. They used cane to create all sorts of useful items – baskets, chairs, tables, etc. These techniques have been passed down from generation to generation, until the present day. In fact, present day cane manufacturing techniques have been refined with the introduction of modern technology. This greatly enhances the quality of the furniture.
Having years of experience in producing cane furniture is good, but no one would want furniture that looks old and ancient. Fortunately, cane is a very versatile material. Changes in consumer tastes mean that manufacturers must now modify the designs.
That means it is now possible to find affordable cane furniture with modern designs, that will last for many years to come. Even if the designs have changed, the basic characteristics of cane still remain unchanged. It is still tough and durable.
Unlike wood, which may rot or become damaged with plant growth, cane furniture can be left in highly challenging environments and remain undamaged. For many years now, homeowners have found cane furniture to be ideal for gardens and conservatories.
Usually, conservatories are constructed in such a way that the environment remains ideal for plants even when there are weather changes. For example, special glass panels may be installed to help trap heat when the weather is cold. When there are plants in a conservatory, the air will most likely be filled with moisture.
As you probably already know, moisture is never a good companion for wood. Wood tends to rot in a moist environment. You can lengthen the life span of wood furniture in a conservatory by applying some kind of protection. But this is only a temporary measure.
Steel is another material that don’t go well with moisture. Some types of steel may rust. There are, of course, stainless steel in the market. But usually, when exposed to water, the steel will soon lose its shine.
Cane furniture, on the other hand, does not rust or rot. In a moist environment, water droplets will just form on the surface of the furniture. All you have to do, is to clean away to water droplets with a dry cloth. Cane is a water resistant material by nature. So even if you fail to clean up the water, the furniture will still remain unfazed.
Synthetic Rattan
Woven outdoor furniture made from rattan and wicker features intricate designs while providing owners and their guests with a comfortable and relaxing area on a porch, deck, or patio. Rattan and wicker are natural woods that blend beautifully together to form a unique design that your guests will envy. You will find plenty of wicker patio furniture and rattan porch furniture sets to choose from. Rattan and wicker outdoor chairs, tables, and benches are available in various designs and styles so you can find the perfect look for your backyard.
Rattan is a type of climbing palm that can be found in Asia. When correctly prepared, the long and thin stems can be woven together to create the gorgeous rattan outdoor furniture you find today. One major difference between rattan patio furniture when compared to other types of furnishings is that it won’t warp; therefore you won’t need to be replacing it after a short period of time. Rattan cane has a very hard core that is molded to form the various frames for the different pieces of furniture. One loved benefit of rattan outdoor furniture is the minimal amount of maintenance it needs. A vacuum with a pointed attachment or a slightly damp cloth can be used to easily remove the dirt that has accumulated.
Wicker outdoor furniture is most often made from willow, rush, rattan core, and reed. When these woods are wet they are bendable which allows them to be woven into the prestigious wicker-weaved shape. Wicker furniture will never have two pieces that are exactly the same, which is a feature many people enjoy. The technique in which the wood is woven together ensures that the furniture is strong and durable and can last for many years when properly taken care of. Outdoor wicker chairs, tables, and benches can be stained or painted to achieve a specific look.
Synthetic outdoor wicker furniture has grown in popularity. You can find chairs, tables, and benches that use the weather-resistant rattan frame which is then woven with synthetic wicker that has been made to avoid cracking, splitting, and unraveling. All weather outdoor wicker furniture is enjoyed by families in every type of atmosphere without the worry of rotting wood to damage the overall appearance. Synthetic wicker chairs, tables, and benches can also come with a cheaper price tag that can be a very attractive benefit. Maintenance for your synthetic outdoor wicker furniture set is just as easy as cleaning real wood.
Wicker furniture cushions will not only provide the final touch to your patio, deck, or porch, they will also provide amazing comfort. Outdoor wicker furniture cushions will come in different shapes, sizes, and colors so you can match your personal style. Cushions can be bought together that matches a rattan or wicker furniture set, or be bought separately so you can customize the final look. You are sure to find the perfect wicker porch furniture or rattan furniture set with the countless styles and designs that are available today.
Rattan and Wicker Furniture – What’s The Difference?
Have you ever wondered what the difference between rattan furniture and wicker furniture is? If you have, I can explain the differences and some of the common misconceptions about these wonderful natural furnishings.
Many people incorrectly believe that rattan and wicker are one in the same. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, they aren’t even in the same category. Let’s take a look at how these two popular, yet very different, arts come together to provide a unique, elegant atmosphere in the home.
First let’s get some facts about rattan. Rattan is a vine that grows in the tropical forests of the Far East. Usually, it grows in a pole shape with a diameter of about 1-3 inches. Rattan can grow up to hundreds of feet in length. It is also one of nature’s strongest woods. Rattan cane has a solid core, unlike bamboo pole, making it much more durable and harder to break. Rattan will not warp and is ideal for making furniture. After being cut into smaller sections, the canes are then molded into shape to form the frames for various furniture items. Peel, the outer skin of the rattan pole, is traditionally used to wrap the furniture joints.
Wicker, on the other hand, refers to items made from any number of natural materials, including rattan core, reed, rush, and willow. When wet, these natural materials are pliable enough to be woven, creating the unique wicker-weaved designs we see in wicker furniture. In fact, most rattan furniture is created with wicker weaved on top of the rattan core frame. Rattan and wicker are wonderful natural products, each piece having its own unique set of qualities. No two pieces are ever completely the same.
Many people love the aesthetic qualities of this furniture. A great room in your home furnished with rattan can feel like a retreat to a secluded island resort after a long day at the office. Who wouldn’t want to come home to that? Another common misconception is that wicker and rattan furniture is strictly for outdoor or patio use. Definitely not so. Rattan furniture comes in living room sets, dining room sets, bedrooms, office furniture and much more.
Many times it is hard to find these types of furnishings locally. And, often, even if you can find them, it is usually a pretty limited selection of items. It’s easy to find these great natural furnishings online. Just search the web and you will find great websites that offer authentic rattan and wicker furniture. Happy hunting!
Different Types of Wicker Furniture
When you talk about cane furniture, though, it is used by most people as a generic term for a type of furniture. Technically, though, it refers to the weaving process – caning.
There are many different types of cane furniture that have been made for the last few centuries. Wicker furniture is usually made from Rattan or Bamboo.
Bamboo Cane Furniture
Because Bamboo is one of the quickest growing plants, it’s been used for centuries to make durable, long lasting furniture.
Bamboo is also a very sturdy wood, making it a good candidate for furniture creation. Being naturally straight and sturdy, when varnish is added, bamboo becomes even more durable. Varnish also enhances the final look of the furniture.
Rattan Cane Furniture
Unlike Bamboo which grows very straight and vertically, Rattan is more pliable and grows in vines that can reach more than fifty feet in length.
Like Bamboo, Rattan is easy to replenish, making it a great candidate for affordable furniture. Also like bamboo, rattan furniture is very sturdy because of the way the vines of the plant grow.
Cane Furniture Shopping
When shopping for cane furniture, it’s a wise investment to make sure you’re buying genuine Bamboo or Rattan furniture and not a cheap knock-off. Remember that you get what you pay for when shopping for anything. In the long run (for you and for the planet), it’s better to spend a little more to get something of quality that’s made from a resource that’s easily and naturally produced.
Cane Furniture Care
Like other possessions you might have, if you take care of it, cane furniture will last a lot longer. Here are some tips for taking care of your wicker furniture.
* Keep it clean – use a soapy water or Murphy’s Wood Soap to keep the furniture clean and free of debris.
* Keep it protected – you can use linseed oil to help protect the wood of your wicker furniture.
* Keep it Dry – Wicker furniture (especially bamboo) becomes more pliable when wet. If you sit on wet wicker furniture, you can cause it to sag and have it dry in that position.
Wicker Furniture Challenge
Wicker furniture has been around for centuries and will be around for years to come. Here’s a challenge – keep an eye open tomorrow for any wicker or cane furniture you might see throughout the day. You might be surprised at how much you start to see how integrated into modern life this style of furniture is.
If you’re looking for a great alternative to the tacky, mass produced plastic lawn chairs and outdoor tables, take a look at wicker furniture as a more environmentally friendly and artistic alternative. You can help do something for the environment and be stylish at the same time.
Quality Materials Make Maintenace of Wicker Furniture Easy
Traditionally, wicker furniture is the perfect complement to the light and airiness of a sunroom. Sunlight pouring in to a room does have a tendency to fade carpet and cloth, even if the windows are specially coated to block out harmful ultra-violet rays, and so wicker furniture that doesn’t fade and has cushions that are easily replaceable are a must.
Most wicker furniture companies have presences on the web, and on these websites you can view a vast array of different designs and different colors, not only of the wicker itself but also of the cushions that go with the wicker.
In doing your pricing, make sure that the price listed for the wicker furniture also includes the cushions that are on display with it. This is not always the case. And if you do not like the fabric of the cushions, find out if you’re able to order the cushions in a different color or fabric, without extra cost. Another question to ask about the fabric is whether or not it is water or stain-resistant.
Do you plan to entertain in your sunroom? Whether it’s a sedate bridge game or a bunch of rowdy kids cheering on their favorite football team, there is a chance of some liquid spilling on the floor or on a chair or divan. Therefore it’s always a good idea to make sure you purchase stain-resistant floor coverings and cushions to begin with, or treat these items with a spray-on protectant before the sunroom sees much use.
Maintaining Your Wicker Furniture
Wicker and rattan furniture does not need a lot of maintenance or upkeep. The weave does attract dust, just like any other surface, and so regular dusting is important. A damp cloth or a vacuum with a special pointed attachment will do the job nicely.
You can get wicker in a number of colors, however it is possible for you to paint the wicker a different color if you so desire – but you’ll want to ask the manufacturer if it is possible to paint over their particular brand. If the wicker has been varnished, you will need to use a primer first, to make sure the next coat of paint adheres properly.
It is possible to sand wicker, but this must be done very carefully, because it’s quite easy to damage the reeds, which would compromise their strength and integrity. Wicker furniture is like any other type of furniture – if the best quality materials are used it will last practically forever, if more inexpensive materials are used…there might be a tendency for the weave to split or fray, if the piece is subjected to hard use. It is possible to obtain various products to repair this damage, or even to have the weave redone in a certain section, but you’ll want to consult a professional about that.
Rattan Furniture and Wicker Furniture – What’s the Difference?
You may have heard of the terms “rattan furniture” and “wicker furniture”. You often see these terms on furniture labels, in home improvement magazines, on home furnishing related websites and other channels. So what do these terms mean, and what is the difference between the two? If you are going to consider buying some rattan furniture for your home, you may as well learn more about what you are about to buy.
The word “rattan” refers to a type of cane. When we hear someone saying that they bought “rattan furniture”, we immediately associate the furniture with its building materials – rattan cane. Rattan cane is abundantly available in Asia. In its raw form, you can hardly do anything with rattan because it is very tough.
However, someone soon discovered a way to soften rattan cane to such a state that it becomes a bendable material. The cane is treated with high temperatures to soften the materials. It is then used to wrap around aluminum frames to form different types of furniture. The manufacturing process sounds easy, but it’s actually not that simple to execute. The cane, when cooled, becomes tough again. Therefore, whoever is doing the weaving has to do it with speed and accuracy. If there is any mistakes, it is very difficult to reverse the process and correct the mistakes. The entire process of creating and converting the rattan cane from raw material to polished furniture is known as “wicker“.
As you can see, both terms have different meaning. The term “rattan” refers directly to the raw material, while the term “wicker” refers to the building process of the furniture. To the consumer, it doesn’t really matter. They both refer to the same thing. Therefore, they are often used interchangeably.
Some people even refer to the process of creating rattan furniture as “caning”. In Asian countries, caning is sometimes considered at art form. There are many types of caning processes. And the level of difficulty that a workman is able to overcome depends very much on the level of skills. Caning skills can take many years to perfect.
You have to be a little bit careful when buying furniture. Although the terms “rattan furniture” and “wicker furniture” are used commonly to refer to the same items, there may be different types of furniture under each category. For example, wicker furniture can be made from other materials such as bamboo reeds, or rush. If the type of material used concerns you, be sure to ask about the materials when buying “wicker furniture”. After all, it’s just a term used to describe the manufacturing process.
On the other hand, if you are buying “rattan furniture”, you can instead ask about the manufacturing process. Is the pattern that you see created from cane webbing (a very commonly seen process)? Is it a complicated pattern that is rare?
Rattan furniture can last for many years, and has been rising in popularity in recent years. Maybe it’s time to add a few pieces of new furniture to your home.
End Tables – a Smart Investment
You don’t have to only use the rooms in your house to entertain. The garden, for example, is often seen as the most important room out of your house but is often overlooked. The simple addition of something like end tables and a few chairs to your patio can make it an entertaining space to be proud of.
When you are finding patio furniture then you need to think about what sorts of elements your furniture will be exposed to. If your patio is enclosed then you can use a wider variety of furniture, perhaps even indoor furniture. However if your patio is exposed to the elements then you should make sure you purchase furniture suitable for use outdoors. These end tables and chairs will be out here day after day, you want to know they can handle what you are going to expect of them.
Wicker and rattan furniture pieces are very popular for this space; however make sure that you can use it outdoors. While you would think that all wicker and rattan are ready to brave the weather, as that is where they are often scene, not all are treated and prepared for the elements. Some of these pieces of furniture are only designed for indoor use, so it’s important to check before you buy. Wicker ware suitable for outdoor use needs to be treated properly so that it can withstand the elements, it should tell you on the packaging if it has had this treatment. If it doesn’t say then you can guess that it’s only suitable for use in your home.
If you are only interested in purchasing a practical piece of furniture rather than a piece which looks stunning, then you might like to look at resin end tables and chairs. These are durable and very practical. They are also much more comfortable to the wallet on a tight budget than many other styles of furniture. You can also purchase footrests made of the same material, along with smaller coffee tales. This material is well suited to use outdoors, the only thing that can really happen to this is fading over time.
Resin furniture is really easy to find; you can purchase it in many discount stores. It is seasonal so you should look for it at around spring. If you are the type of person who likes to change furniture regularly, these may be your best choice. Priced at a few bucks apiece they are easy to change out without too much pain in money spent.
If you really want to relax in style, you can also consider the more expensive chaise lounge chairs, which are made from the same material that match your end tables. This way you can kick back, and have a place to set the cold drink you want to enjoy.
There are end tables for absolutely everyone, no matter how much money you can afford to spend or what you want it for. The limit is only the amount of time you are willing to put into your search for the best end tables for you, and the budget of what you are willing to spend.
Tips For Buying Woven Furniture
If you are choosing seats/chairs and tables for your garden/patio or conservatory a good type to consider is woven furniture and these styles are incredibly attractive and will work well in these tough environments helping you to get closer to the outdoors even when you have to spend time inside! Here are a few tips you should bear in mind when buying:
* Inspect the pieces of furniture When you start looking for your woven furniture you must look carefully at the furniture as this will tell you the quality of the pieces. The best ones will have a tight weave with no gaps – large gaps are a big giveaway that it has been made with poor quality weaving. Secondly thoroughly check the woven material for any scratches and also try to “pick” at the product as some of the cheaper materials may just chip off. You also need to look at the bottom of the legs of the woven furniture as they will probably need to have casters or caps put under them to protect your flooring in the conservatory or so that they will be much easier to clean if they are outdoors. Try to determine if the legs are hollow aluminum tubing or solid – hollow legs can easily bend if the furniture is dragging or it is a heavy table. It is also vital that you sit on the chairs/sofa as that is the only way you can tell if feels sturdy and more importantly, comfortable. Never buy anything that you are not 100% sure about while you are in the store trying it out.
* Cost of woven/rattan furniture Before you finalise the purchase of your woven furniture you need to have thought about how much you really are willing to spend and prices of this type of furniture can vary quite considerably. Think about if you will plan to replace it within a short time or if you know you likely get bored with it after a short time, just do not spend a lot of money you will have to be realistic and choose affordable but quality pieces, even if it means you have to look at more and different types of furniture, that way you will be able to use your budget wisely and you may even be able to purchase more pieces.
