Outdoor Rattan Furniture: A Guide To Choosing The Best

By: Jason Harris

Have you seen it - how the outdoor rattan furniture market is exploding? It really is - not only new companies entering the field, but all sorts of new designs and colors, new patterns - but also a reliance on the traditional designs as well.

First things first: Just what is rattan? Well, rattan is actually a natural product - a plant fiber, mostly grown in Asia and India - where the moist, humid conditions are conducive to it's growth. Rattan is different from bamboo. Bamboo is hollow inside, whereas rattan is a solid stalk. In addition, rattan is much more flexible than bamboo - which allows the manufacturer to shape the plant fibers into very useful furniture designs.

Rattan is first harvested in the rain forests where it grows naturally. The plant stalks are cut into lengths appropriate for the type of furniture object that it will be made into. After harvesting the rattan must be treated and specially cared for, as the leaves can become infested with a fungus. Treating the rattan leaves will eliminate this problem, but some lower-quality suppliers will not treat the rattan properly, and as a result the rattan can become discolored over time.

Which leads me to this first recommendation: to avoid buying an inferior product you need to make sure that you are dealing with an outlet or furniture dealer who is knowledgeable and reputable. Unless you are an expert on rattan, you will need to rely on their judgment - so pick a good dealer or you may end up buying an inferior product.

Since outdoor rattan furniture is a natural product, you should make sure that you do not leave your furniture outside sitting on floors or decks that have pools of water that do not drain away. Eventually the water can become absorbed into the rattan, causing it to swell, and gaps may appear in the frame or woven fabric of the back and sides.

How do you maintain your outdoor rattan furniture? Well, it's very easy: just clean with a vacuum cleaner, or a soft cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. If your rattan furniture gets wet, you should allow it to dry thoroughly - and make sure that your furniture is completely dry before you store it away for the winter.

If your outdoor rattan furniture requires more care than what you can give, it's time to call upon the services of a professional furniture restorer. If you like you can lightly sand and refinish any rough areas on your furniture. But if more extensive work needs done - repair of cracked frames, or re-weaving - that's the time to call on a professional

Properly cared for your outdoor rattan furniture will last for many years. Rattan is recognized the world over as a quality material for furniture that must be kept outdoors. It is cool, lightweight, and requires only a little maintenance. For all of its cost, it really is one of the best values around in outdoor furniture!

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Author: Jason Harris offers his expertise on home repair and Outdoor Wicker Furniture Learn all aboutcamping hammocks by visiting his home and garden site.
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