A frequent sight in homes all over the UK is rattan garden furniture.
This material is among the most popular choices in the manufacturing of outdoor chairs and tables, because it is both attractive and durable. Not many people know how it is made though.
To start with, a frame for each piece of furniture has to be constructed. This is made of welded metal parts and – in the majority of cases – the preferred metal is aluminium.
There are several reasons why aluminium is used, including the fact that it is strong without being too heavy, as well as being both corrosion- and rust-resistant. Aluminium is also easier to shape into the necessary frame for each item of furniture.
At this point, it is time to add the rattan to the frame. Rattan is actually made from plastic, and again it has many beneficial aspects when it comes to furniture. It is highly flexible, making weaving it around the frame easier, and the synthetic rattan used for furniture is also both tougher and lighter than the natural substance.
Other major benefits include its resistance to both rain and chlorine water damage.
The rattan is fixed in place using stapling before the weaving of strands horizontally in and out, until the frame has been completely covered. This weaving work is highly skilled and leads to attractive patterning being created for each piece of garden furniture. Often, the patterns will be elegant and unique, which is another thing that many people like about furniture created in this hand-made fashion.
Visit your local garden centre to explore the range of rattan garden furniture available.
