Deck Chair
The Practical Outdoor Chair
Before patios, decks and patio furniture became popular, the main outdoor furniture was the old well used castaway chairs from indoors. Nowdays that trend has givin way to a great many styles, varitions and material types to furnish the outdoor family deck and patio area. When deciding on what style is right for you be sure to consider if you will be using the chair to simply relax in or if you require it to double as a dining chair on occasion. If the main purpose for the chair is to serve as a outdoor dining chair be sure to take into account the height of the arms so that they easily clear the top of the table when pulling the chair in to dine. Another thought to keep in mind is to pick something that does not have a great deal of seat slope or reclined position.
Choice Materials for Outdoor Chairs
If you like the homey natrual feel of the outdoors and don't plan on replacing your furniture every few years then Cedar or Teak are the two main woods to consider when choosing what your outdoor chair will be made of.
Here's why
Western Red Cedar fibers contain oils that act as natural preservatives to help the wood resist rot and decay making it excellent furniture material for moist or humid climates. Its bacterial and fungal resistance coupled with the fact that Cedar is 80% the strength of Oak, makes it the most desirable wood to use for building outdoor furniture such as deck chairs.
A common fact about the characteristic of teak is its durability. The high level of resinous oil present in the timber helps to act as a natural insect repellent making the wood highly resistant to rot caused by fungal decay or attack by termites and other wood boring insects.
Compare with Plastic Resin or Metal Chairs
Unlike Plastic or Resin furniture Western Red Cedar or Java Teak will not bow or sag over time and you won't come out to find your new patio set blown across the yard.
With a coat of semi-transparent stain every few years your wooden chairs will not become dull sun scorched and faded, but rather will hold its handsome appearence year after year.
And you won't find rust stains on your deck boards after a hard rain.
Feel free to hit the links on this page for more outdoor furniture fun facts, finishing ideas and browse a variety of patio furniture styles.