04 Apr 2023
Choosing garden furniture can be confusing. What's an outdoor weave? Is wicker the same as rattan? What's the difference between weatherproof and season-proof?
Here are the answers to some of our customers' most frequently-asked questions.
Rattan and wicker: what's the difference?
Rattan is a material, wicker is a type of weave. Rattan is a natural material: a vine-like plant with more than 600 variations which grows in Asia and Australia. For longevity, many of our garden furniture sets like the Chedworth casual dining set, with fire pit table, are made from 'outdoor wicker' – a synthetic weave made to look like natural materials, but built to withstand the great British weather.
What's a tree-free top?
We strive to tread as lightly on the planet as we can, and we work with manufacturers who do the same. Some of our dining sets like the Tetbury come with tree-free tops – tables which look remarkably like wood, but are totally weatherproof and made from tough, high-impact, recyclable polystyrene. The Tetbury also comes with cushions made from recycled plastic bottles.
Are weatherproof and season-proof the same?
The simple answer is no. Most of our sets are weatherproof – ie you can leave them in your garden year-round – though we still recommend using covers to keep your furniture looking at its best for years to come.
Most of our cushions, whether sold with our garden furniture sets or outdoor scatters, are season-proof – meaning they'll withstand a shower, but will need to be stored inside for prolonged periods of rain, and of course for the winter.
You'll find furniture covers for most of our sets, and outdoor sideboards and cushion boxes, on our website.
What's so special about HPL?
HPL – high-pressure laminate – is a new material, incredibly durable and used in applications from space craft to hospitals. On our Goa table, for example, it creates a beautiful patina and is totally weatherproof, so you can leave it outside all year with confidence. It won't mark, either. It works with a variety of modern chair styles, and looks great in contemporary settings.
Are ceramic tops easy to maintain?
Ceramic-topped tables, like the Chedworth, look great with a wood grain finish, and are low-maintenance. Spills can be wiped up easily and they won't stain. They're an ideal choice for a busy family and those who entertain a lot.
Which lasts longer? Wrought iron or cast aluminium?
Virtually indistinguishable from the look of wrought iron, powder-coated cast aluminium is lighter, has a remarkable lifetime and won't rust.
Should I sand down and oil our teak table? Or pressure wash it?
We recommend you clean your teak furniture twice a year, once in the spring and once in autumn – the rest of the year, simply brush it down with a soft brush. Use a scrubbing brush and water – never detergent – and scrub in the direction of the grain. Then simply rinse with water and allow to dry.
You don't need to oil your teak table – doing so will leave it vulnerable to mould and mildew – and definitely don't pressure wash it. Doing so will cause the surface of the wood to go bumpy and pitted. Teak, left outside, will weather to a beautiful silvery grey.
Read more about how to care for your outdoor teak garden furniture here.
What is Lloyd Loom style?
Lloyd Loom furniture has been gracing homes since 1917, when US businessman Marshall B Lloyd created his distinctive designs using craft paper woven on to wires.
Outdoor sofas and garden chairs like the Clementine are designed in the style of Lloyd Loom – with elegant, sweeping curves and delicate arms and legs. This set is fabulous in a cottage garden, or placed on a large lawn and styled with scatter cushions, throws and fresh flowers.
