Outdoor Resin Wicker Furniture: An Introduction.

Gone are the days when beauty was the only factor that motivated homeowners to buy a piece of furniture; today more and more people are seeing that having a home entails more than just beauty -- quality has to be taken into consideration as well. With the need for long-lasting furniture solutions in the backyard resort, various techniques have been refined and created to accentuate the elegance that many homes boast with each type of furniture. One popular technique that has accompanied many industries since ancient Egypt and the ruins of Pompeii has been the use of wicker. 

Wicker has been wrongly defined for ages as a type of material and many people even assume that it is used to refer to the actual furniture that is produced from a certain material. Wicker, however, is not a material but a weaving technique that skillfully uses a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials to arrive at a final product. Common products that have been graced with the glory of this weaving technique are: baskets, decorative objects, boats, and even outdoor wicker patio furniture.

In the past natural fibers were used in the wicker weaving process, but with the passing of time and need for mass production to satisfy the demand for high-quality furniture options various synthetic substitutes have been introduced in the market. Also, natural products like rattan have a tendency to crack and break outdoors. Among the popular synthetic substitutes that are readily available on the market is the presence of a special type of furniture crafted with polyethylene resin fiber. This type of fiber has been highly esteemed in various industries given its sturdiness, long-lasting quality and ability to imitate many natural fibers when dye is applied.

There are essentially two types of resin that are known to man: natural and synthetic. The synthetic type is really what the name suggests: an artificial material that is manufactured by a production process called esterification. Natural resin on the other hand is not man-made and is owes it existence to the hydrocarbon secretion that is common in many plants.

The synthetic resin fiber that is used in the wicker weaving process is known to stand-up to the most adverse elements. Unlike natural fibers that are susceptible to humidity, dust and a list of other environmental factors, polyethylene resin can withstand just about any temperature variation without presenting any type of deterioration in its structure. The best part about polyethylene resin is that is does not chip, warp or shrink making it an ideal candidate when it comes to outdoor patio furniture. The dye that is applied during the manufacturing process makes it a maintenance free material that does not need constant upkeep to preserve its elegance. It is also easy to clean and does not entail the cautions and care that have to be taken into consideration when dealing with natural fibers. 

There are many resin wicker products on the market and each accompanies a wide price structure that attends to different types of budgets. While it is easy to find a resin wicker chair for $100. and another for $500. consumers are easily tempted to pick the former. There are many factors that come into play when it comes to quality and to long-lasting solutions.   Most of the time you will get what you pay for and if long lasting, low-maintenance beauty is desired, the less expensive option is not always the best choice.

The weave should be tight and there should be no space in between. If gaping spaces are present then this is a weak point that will lead to the gradual deterioration of the furniture.   Many clients look to the weave for beauty but test it to ensure a tightness that will allow resilience when the furniture is used outdoors while staying tight.  Natural fibers have a tendency to crack and break outdoors but synthetic wicker furniture will not break regardless of the weather.

Resin wicker is long lasting and beautiful in any backyard design. The frame is usually invisible providing only support for the weave. Powder coating is used on cast iron, steel, imported aluminum and other products that will rust or corrode outdoors. The best quality (and most expensive) uses pure aluminum for the outdoor wicker furniture frame. Find inexpensive resin wicker outdoor furniture for your home but make sure the frame is aluminum or powder coated steel. Like anything else the powder coating can become damaged and the inner material made susceptible to rust and corrosion so some maintenance will be necessary if aluminum is not used.

Cleaning your outdoor patio furniture should be as easy as a soap-filled spray bottle and a hose because synthetic resin wicker is not affected by heat or moisture. Most outdoor furniture manufacturers will use water-resistant fabrics and mildew-resistant stuffing if they are also building the furniture frame from aluminum. This lowers the need for constant maintenance. Resin wicker furniture for backyard use is becoming less expensive and more attractive every year.