Pros and Cons of Real Wicker or Synthetic Wicker Outdoor Furniture
As the snowflakes fade and we all begin to thaw out, excitement builds as we look forward to outdoor season.
In the summer, a good choice for relaxing outdoors is wicker furniture. Two alternatives are available in this type of furniture; real, or Rattan, and Synthetic, which includes PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PE (polyethylene). Each type offers advantages and disadvantages.
Wicker in common usage has come to mean a type of chair, but is actually the latticework of plant fiber, or in the present day, synthetic material, woven around a frame. This then can be used for anything from baskets to furniture. Natural materials used for wicker include Reed, Bamboo, Rattan, Cane and even Willow. Wicker also has a long history, utilized by the Chinese, Egyptians, Ancient Europeans and Indonesians.
Natural rattan is a robust material, strong and stiff. It is environmentally friendly and when skillfully made is strong and beautiful. Rattan however can rot, discolor, has a limited number of choices where color is concerned and can be prone to insect damage. To counteract this disadvantage, High-grade rattan is specially treated with a coat of lacquer and when dipped in resin gives protection rivaling synthetics.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PE (polyethylene) give greater durability although PVC is less durable than PE and harsher to the environment. Neither choice needs any real maintenance and color choice is far greater than Rattan. Cheaper versions of Synthetic wicker may not look as good as a traditional wicker weave, but there are types that will approximate the weave very well.
All in all, it comes down to personal preference, to use natural materials that lend warmth but have impermanent tendencies and limited color choices, or to use synthetics offering permanence, a multitude of color choices that might be more harmful to the environment.
It is nice to accessorize your larger pieces with wicker storage baskets for holding magazines. Wicker baskets for toys also work well.
Regardless of which type of outdoor wicker furniture you select, you are sure to be happy with this classic style.
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