by Spencer Wilkins
Teak garden furniture can really enhance the features of your garden and provide a relaxing and comfortable location to pass the time. But because the wood from which this furniture is made comes from Southeast Asia if you want it to last you need to look after it properly.
Teak is a hardwood and this is what makes the furniture so it is very durable. Plus this type of furniture will last quite a considerable amount of time because it is a very dense timber and contains high levels of resinous oil within it. It is this oil which actually not only makes the wood resistant to drying out but also from absorbing too much moisture.
When it comes to buying such teak furniture for the garden, you can either purchase it in its natural raw state or that which has been treated using a teak oil. When you first get the furniture home, it is a golden color, but as time passes, the wood will eventually begin to fade a silver grey color instead.
Certainly if you are after the silver grey look then once the wood has reached this stage there is very little that you will need to do to make sure that it retains this color. However, if you would prefer your wood to retain the golden color of when it arrived you need to start applying teak oil to its surface.
In order for your teak garden furniture to retain its golden color, then one should be applying teak oil to its surface twice a year. The first that you will need to do is actually clean the wood.
To do this you take some warm water (with a mild detergent mixed into it) and then use a soft damp cloth to wipe off and remove any dust or grit. After you have done this, you now need to leave the wood to dry naturally before you actually apply the oil.
Once the furniture is completely dry, you can start applying the oil. You can either do this by wiping it over the surface with a clean lint free cloth or by use of a spray gun. Using a cloth is much better as this allows you to spread the oil evenly over the surface of the wood. Once you have covered all the wood with the oil you need to leave it try until it is tacky to touch.
When the oil has got to this stage, you now need to take another lint free cloth (clean one) and use this for removing any oil that is left on the surface. Then about an hour after this, you need to take another clean cloth that you use to polish up the surface of your teak garden furniture.
About the Author:
Caring for your
garden furniture allows it to last much longer and stay in good condition. There are a variety of garden furniture sets available to purchase online such as
garden benches to make a great feature.
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Gardening
May 20 2008 | Gardening | No Comments »
by Spencer Wilkins
If you want to keep your garden equipment in good order and safe then it is important that you have some where to store them. Nowadays you have the choice of both getting timber and metal sheds into which these items can be kept and leaving your garden looking great. A shed will not only help with making sure that the equipment remains in good working order, but every time you need something you will know exactly where to find it.
When it comes to which type of shed you are going to buy, as you will soon discover there are a number of different styles, shapes and sizes to choose from. Which kind of shed you select depends largely on the size of your garden and how much you want to keep inside it. There are many advantages to be had from either installing a metal or timber shed in your garden today.
Many people choose timber sheds over metal ones simply because they look much better. If you are going to purchase a wooden shed then go for a hardwood one such as cedar rather than one made from softwood. Although these sheds tend to be more expensive they are far less likely to rot compared to softwood shed when it becomes exposed to the elements.
Although a wooden shed may look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye in the garden, they also need to be maintained. This means that you will regularly need to check to ensure that water has not been absorbed into it. Plus you will also need to regularly check the roof to ensure that there is no damage especially after the winter or when there have been strong winds.
As for metal sheds, these are much more preferable as they need far less maintenance. A shed, which has been made from galvanized steel will not rot, is completely weather proof and rodents are very unlikely to be able to gain access (unless you leave the door open). Also, these sheds will never warp or crack like a wooden one will and will never need to be repainted once installed.
The other big advantage to having a metal shed installed in your garden over a wooden one is that they are far more secure. For a burglar to actually gain entry into one of these sheds will be extremely difficult especially if they have been fitted with a good quality lock. So all your expensive garden equipment is not only protected from the elements but also from any opportunistic thief as well.
When it comes to you choosing the right shed for your garden, it is crucial that you select one that will have enough space for all that you want to be stored in it. So if you can choose as large a shed as possible on the budget that you have. If however, you are thinking of purchasing one that is more than 100 sq ft you need to clarify with your local authority what building permits if any you need for it.
Above we have shown some of the reasons for choosing either between timber and metal sheds for use as storage in your garden. If you are someone who wants to have a shed that is not going to ruin the look of their garden then a wooden one is probably the best option. However, if you want one for practical purposes and not have to worry about the costs of maintaining the shed once installed then a metal one is probably the best option for you.
About the Author:
There are certainly a vast variety of
garden sheds available to buy online which can be used for a number of purposes in your garden.
Metal sheds will last longer but may not appear as nice as wood.
Tags:
Gardening
May 20 2008 | Gardening | No Comments »