by: Malcolm D Kay
Not too long ago, the vast majority of outdoor furniture was all made of teak. Teak has proved to be an ideal lumber species for outdoor furniture, due to its high durability, ease of working with machine tools, its low coefficient of radial and tangential expansion (which reduces potential problems in twisting, or swelling when wet), it's attractive colour and good working properties.
But such widespread use of teak, including for marine decking, has come at a considerable environmental cost.
The once great forests of South East Asia have been decimated to the extent that legally logged teak is now only available in very limited quantities, which is reflected in its high price.
But unfortunately, illegal logging is still rampant and in many areas of South East Asia, ensuring its continuing supply to the furniture trade.
Plantations of teak have now been established in a number of countries including Costa Rica for example (presumably planted in most cases where the great forests once existed). But this plantation teak is harvested at a much younger age that has traditionally been the case, so caution should be taken in assuming that the properties of such younger lumber (including durability) will be the same as old growth teak.
Many responsible furniture manufacturers will now only used teak which has been certified by such independent bodies as the Forest Stewardship Council.
If sustainability of forests and sound forestry practices are an important consideration in your choice of furniture, then look for the FSC logo or ask your retailer to provide documentation to show from where the lumber was sourced. Note however that even if the
tag accompanying any wood furniture claims that the wood is sourced from sustainable forests, unfortunately there is no firm guarantee that this is true.
You may be able to make some verification by checking the FSC website, which indicates which companies and even manufacturers have been given official accreditation by the FSC.
In recent years there has been a proliferation of different lumber species used in outdoor furniture as more manufacturing plants are set up in places such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, in particular.
Unfortunately, a lot of furniture is now produced with price as the overriding consideration, with scant consideration being given to the durability or in service performance of the furniture. And all too often these days the name of the actual wood species in not even displayed ? except perhaps a bland statement like ?manufactured from durable hardwood species?. And of course a lot of lumber is transported to furniture makers located far from the original source of the lumber, making it even harder to track the actual supply country or region.
Thus there is often no guarantee that the furniture, which may look magnificent in a covered showroom, will survive the rigours of outdoor use, year after year, fully exposed to the elements.
Apart from the failure to state what timber species has been used, sometimes a wood species is quoted which is virtually unknown outside its country of origin and data on its durability or other properties is either nonexistent or extremely difficult to locate.
Although we have only referred above to the durability factor, this not the only property you should be concerned with. Many species of lumber, although very durable, are also prone to twisting, warping and cracking under adverse climatic conditions, particularly where thin wood section are concerned. Again teak has proved to be a very stable species in this regard but other species are not necessarily so stable.
Whilst the lower costs and attractive colour of some outdoor furniture can certainly be appealing, we strongly suggest you should always ask your retailer to provide the name of the lumber species used and from which country it was sourced.
If this species is not familiar to you, no other data is provided, and your independent research fails to locate data on such species, you should think carefully before making your purchase..
Good quality outdoor furniture should give many, many years of service and its higher initial cost will inevitably be repaid in terms of a longer service life and a much higher quality product.
About The Author
Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an international supplier of landscape materials including modular decking tiles. For more information see http://www.swiftdeck.com.
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Strike a Balance with Bathroom and Kitchen Taps
Strike a Balance with Bathroom and Kitchen Taps
by: Shelley Murphy
The finishing touches to your bathroom or kitchen renovation project is the selection of your tap and should be given the same consideration when purchasing other bathroom furniture.
Since mixer taps now come in a wide variety of styles and finishes to incorporate the latest in technology, choosing the right taps either for the bath, shower, kitchen or basin mixer taps can add charisma to any room. Whether you are trying to achieve an ultra modern or a traditional look choosing a design that is relevant to your taste and will be significant to the rest of room creates both harmony and balance.
A Modern or Traditional Tap
What defines beauty and elegance in today?s selection of bathroom and kitchen mixer taps are the ultra modern sleek architectural designs. From curvaceous to modular geometric styles or the combination of both in brilliant chrome finishes can create...
Strike a Balance with Bathroom and Kitchen Taps
Bedroom furniture > Strike a Balance with Bathroom and Kitchen Taps
Storage A Clean Solution
Storage A Clean Solution
by: Juan Jos?
Rental storage units, also known as self-storage and mini-storage units, are a booming business right now, as storage facilities seem to be cropping up everywhere. People collect more and more items, and their possessions grow out of their attics and basements, forcing them to rent monthly storage units. The appeal of storage units is having access to a clean, safe, well-lit and efficient area for storage. It also helps to get the clutter out of the house and into another place altogether, either for sorting through or keeping for a while.
Storage away from the home or business can be an easy and convenient solution to disorganization and lack of space. Over a lifetime of acquiring belongings, many people simply run out of room to keep it all, but do not want to give everything away because of the sentiment attached to the items.
In the past 45 or so years, tens of thousands of personal storage...
Storage A Clean Solution
Bedroom furniture > Storage A Clean Solution
Take Care Of Your Furniture
Take Care Of Your Furniture
by: Jeff Lakie
Your furniture is a huge investment! So is your car and your house. So if you put a lot of work into your car or your house, like getting oil changes or putting in new floors, why would you not do the same with your furniture? Your furniture gets used a lot and you can help maintain its value by following these ideas.
Keep your furniture clean. If it's cloth furniture, you should vacuum it regularly. If it is leather furniture, you should wipe it down and use leather treatment regularly. And if it's made of wood, you need to keep it polished. But what if it has already taken a beating? What can you do then?
If you have wooden furniture you have a few options. Painting is one idea. In fact, two dressers from different manufacturers can be made to look like they are part of a set with a paint job and a new set of handles!
If you do not want to paint your furniture you still have other options....
Take Care Of Your Furniture
Bedroom furniture > Take Care Of Your Furniture
Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude
Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude
by: Raynor James
There are many issues to address when doing major home improvements. The overall atmosphere and attitude of the improvements can be a key issue.
Degree of Formality
Certain things tend to go with each other.
Silk, silver, crystal, brass, china, oil paintings in gilt frames, and draperies to the floor have an affinity for each other for example.
Leather, built-in bookcases, old books, paneled rooms, coffered ceilings, and dark wood are another group of things that go well together.
A third such group might be heavy linen, polished cotton, glass and metal tables, woven baskets, and wicker.
There are the usual exceptions, but things that go together tend to have about the same degree of formality. Their color and texture are important, too.
Light vs. Dark
Most people are happiest living in rooms that are bright and sunny in the daytime...
Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude
Bedroom furniture > Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude
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Pregnancy Photography - Tips For The Belly!
Pregnancy Photography - Tips For The Belly!
by: Heather Hart
These tips have been provided by Heather Hart of A La Mode Photo who specializes in natural environment, pregnancy, family and pet photography.
1. Find a friend.
Since you are the model, you need someone who has a few hours to dedicate to you and your Belly!
2. Try using a camera with real film and not digital. Go to a camera store and ask for professional black and white film - avoid...
Outdoor Wood Furniture ? Check The Wood Species Before Purchasing Pregnancy Photography - Tips For The Belly! skirt Bedroom furniture
Bedroom furniture > Pregnancy Photography - Tips For The Belly!
gift basket Outdoor Wood Furniture ? Check The Wood Species Before Purchasing
Outdoor Wood Furniture ? Check The Wood Species Before Purchasing plasma Bedroom furniture
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Outdoor Wood Furniture ? Check The Wood Species Before Purchasing
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