joeloda@aicchi.UUCP (Joseph D. Loda) (06/12/85)
Well, here is a summary of the responses I received to my query on outdoor
lawn furniture.
As to the results from our end, we still haven't decided which way to go.
The old, rotting deck has been removed, however, so we're ready to go.
Thanks to all those who responded.
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We have a deck with redwood outdoor furniture (in New Jersey, with less severe
winters as Chicago.) My recommendation is to stain (or paint, but redwood stain
is more esthetically pleasing to me) every spring. Sand thoroughly. Apply a
generous first coat. Let dry overnight (24 hours). Apply a good, but not too
thick second coat. Wait a week. If it looks like it needs it, apply a thin
third coat. You should have no problems then. Make sure the furniture
is out in the sun or at least the wind, so it can dry quickly after rain.
If water sits on the wood for long periods of time, you may get a rot problem.
This is valid despite winter ice and snow. If it's cold enough so the snow
doesn't melt, well, it's not rotting the wood, is it? If the snow is melting,
well drying quickly makes it just like summer showers. Enjoy it
Marcel Simon
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There is at least one other choice - PVC is kind of big now for
furniture. Just make sure it has protectors added for ultraviolet
damage prevention.
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I am in the market for patio furniture also but have not done any research
as of yet. I heard they now make it out of PVC piping which is probably
sturdier, cheaper and maintenince free. If you have some comparisons, I
would appreciate receiving the info.
TX,
Greg
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Wrought Iron is the only choice. Unless you ding the paint, it won't
rust. If you do, it's the easiest thing in the world to touch up.
Absolutely nothing that weather can do to it - even in Chicago. The
style is classic, with good reason - it works. Very quick-drying after
a rain, and very comfortable (some people are surprised.) You can add
padded seats, but that defeats the purpose.
Start with a large table and four chairs - the umbrella is strictly
optional (and requires maintenance and protection from the weather.)
Add side pieces as you feel the urge. Go for high quality stuff - not
painted wire junk - the price difference is very small compared to the
durability difference. Of course, don't buy until the END of this
summer, when all outdoor furniture will go on sale. Perhaps there's
still time (in Chicago) for a BEFORE summer sale...
I haven't seen a chaise longue, though.
-Ken Sloan
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I got some vinyl-coated Italian chairs a few years back, and they've been
great--no rust or other discoloration, no sign of breaking. They're of the
upright variety, though, not loungers, but this means that they stack. We
leave them out all year. We also have some cheap steel-aluminum-and-vinyl
loungers, and after a few years they have rusted somewhat, and the vinyl is
looking pretty tired; we used to put them away after each use but now we've
decided to leave them out and throw them away when they get unbearable. One
thing I'd point out about redwood chairs; they are likely to be quite heavy.
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If you really want something that will hold up after being left outside
year-round in Chicago, you want to (a) start with a really well-made
piece of furniture, and (b) coat it (to the saturation point) with
Thompson's waterseal. For the former, I'd recommend looking at the
English garden furniture (especially the carved wooden benches) in
the Smith & Hawkens catalog. These are truly wonderful people to
deal with, and they are totally dedicated to quality.
Andrea Frankel, Hewlett-Packard (San Diego Division) (619) 487-4100 x4664
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Joe Loda
Analysts International (Chicago Branch)
(312) 882-4673
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