[ad_1]
Rattan garden furniture FAQ
What is better: rattan or wicker?
Trick question. Rattan is the material, wicker is the method. Wicker (from the Old Norse word vika, “to bend”) is the way of forming pliable natural fibres like willow, reed, grass or bark into furniture. In Asia it’s often done with the climbing palm rattan. Rattan wicker was so extensively imported in the 19th and 20th centuries from southeast Asia that we ended up using the word generically for woven furniture.
Is rattan furniture long-lasting?
Most is, but not all. Garden furniture entrepreneur Peter Bridgman says you should beware of cheaper furniture where the synthetic rattan strands have been nailed onto the frame: when the nails rust, they will become weak points.
Stuart Isbister, co-founder of outdoor furniture specialists The Worm That Turned, says there is another way to assess rattan furniture: look at the shape of the strands.
“Flat-woven products are lighter and cheaper, but they probably won’t last as long as round weave. Flat weave will often sag in when you press your finger against it, particularly if it’s hot, since plastic becomes malleable with heat. And in some cases, brittle after a year or so.”
Another major factor to consider when buying rattan is the cushions, Stuart says. “They can now be made from things like textilene, which is an outdoor furnishing fabric. They’re a lot softer to the touch and they dry really quickly, so you can leave sofas outside without having to bring the cushions in.
“Cushions can be a significant part of the cost of garden furniture but it’s worth investing in. At the end of the day that’s what you’re sitting on.”
Can rattan garden furniture sit on grass?
It’s not advised, but that’s a general rule for all garden furniture rather than rattan specifically. The reason is that garden furniture tends to be heavy, which can weaken the grass beneath it and cause lasting damage. That’s not too mention that you might find your furniture actually sinking into the grass.
Mould and mildew from wet grass could also cause mould on the rattan, while moisture could cause rust on the metal frame.
Talking of grass, you may also want to read our guides to the best lawnmowers and best strimmers. We also have guides to the best gardening gloves and best secateurs.
View the latest deals from John Lewis and La Redoute
[ad_2]
Source link
