Publication Date: Friday Feb 25, 2000

What's new under the sun?

When homeowners consider redoing a room or even the whole house, oftentimes the patio is last on the list. But with the variety in styles of patio furniture available, it's possible to create an outdoor "room" as well. Whether you simply want to relax and appreciate the natural surroundings of your back yard, lounge by the pool or have a family barbecue, there is a type of patio furniture for you, whether it's lightweight white wicker or dark-stained elegant teak.

Part of which style and type of patio furniture depends on the mood you want to create. Whether you want to achieve the feel of an English garden, casual poolside fun, or the perfect party place, the choices are endless and range from formal to casual.

"Traditional French styles that are carved and molded iron--the New Orleans look," can create a more formal setting," said Mary C. Peck, a Palo Alto interior designer. Customers can also go for the fun, casual look of tailored metal, wicker, or resin.

Maintenance is always something to consider when buying furniture that will be sitting out in rain, sun, and wind. Aluminum patio furniture has won favor amongst homeowners because of its great look and low maintenance. From contemporary to traditional styles, it is now possible to get the classic look of wrought-iron without the weight or rust, and for only a slight difference in price.

"I was debating between wood and aluminum," said recent patio furniture buyer Maria Inez Lay. "Availability and price made me opt for cast aluminum. This is so easy to care for."

At the beginning of each season, aluminum should get a coat of liquid wax, and the frames should occasionally be wiped down with a mix of water and liquid detergent. A gentle cleansing agent can be used to remove stains and scratches. To keep adjustable furniture gliding easily, a lubricant spray like WD-40 should be applied twice a season.

Consumers may opt for wicker, which is actually a weaving process, not a material as many think. It is commonly made from reed or a synthetic material which is weather-proof and is wrapped around an aluminum frame.

The natural wood wicker, usually made from the rattan root called reed, is handwoven and looks classically Victorian. The natural color of the wood remains. It has an elegant grace to it, with the option of all-weather cushions enhancing its style.

Rattan is a solid wood vine with a bark known as peel cane. Rattan is graded from "A", the finest, through "D", the least desirable. Buyers should watch out for weaker poles, which tend to be scarred because they are not of top quality. "A" poles have no blemishes or discolorations. Rattan is handcrafted and weaved in a style similar to wicker, but is not as dainty as the wicker weave.

Teak is a popular choice if you want wood for patio furniture.

"Teak is huge," said Maureen Daniels, advertising director for Patio World, because it is a oil-rich wood that weathers well and eventually turns an attractive silvery gray. The grades of Teak vary from "A" to "D" as well. The finer quality teak will have no knots, is straight grain, and derived from the core of the teak tree. Teak has incredibly low maintenance, due to it's durability and weathering qualities.

Jarwood is an alternative to teak. It is similar to a eucalyptus, and is from Australia.

Jar will lighten up from it's original deep mahogany color unless it is treated with a jar oil stain, which protects the wood from UV rays as well as moisturizes it with it's own natural jarwood oils, said Mark Gallerdo, store manager at Patio World in Mountain View. If the wood is left without the protective oil and it fades, it is possible to treat it with jar oil stain and bring back a rich-looking color.

If you go for aluminum, there are three types: tubular, cast and wrought aluminum. Tubular aluminum is the lightest of the three, because it is made from hollow tubing with internal reinforcing ribs for added strength. Cast aluminum features more classic designs taken from the cast-iron stylings of the 18th century. It is produced by pouring molten aluminum into hand carved casting molds, and then letting it cool. Cast aluminum is also on the higher end of the pricing scale for aluminum.

Wrought aluminum gives a lightweight, low maintenance, rust-proof wrought-iron look that is durable and comfortable. All three are finished with a powder-coat paint, which is electrostatically applied, making it resistant to weather, chipping, peeling, and cracking. This finish, says Blade Bird, store manager for Pool Patio 'N Things in Atherton, "is probably two or three times thicker than the paint on your car," making furniture extremely resistant to weathering and rust.

If you're debating between aluminum and iron, consider this advice, Bird said. "Wrought iron is a typically less expensive material to work with," says Bird, "and the advantage is that you can have a beautiful set without the price being quite so high."

ION the other hand, iron is heavy and rusts, while aluminum is durable, non-rusting, and just as strong. A particular advantage the wrought aluminum has is "that if you were to knock all the way down through the powder finish, into the bare metal, the rust you may encounter will perhaps be a whitish finish, but it will not bleed or blister, and it does not spread as quickly as it does on iron. What changes do take place are minimal in comparison."

Aluminum "has a great color, great look, and it's lightweight," says Julie Lohr Hoefler, a San Jose interior designer. "Manufacturers have come up with a look that's very similar to wrought iron, but that is lightweight and rust-free. It creates an elegant style that is easy to maintain and is great for entertaining.

Another option is have the original furniture refinished, involving a process of sandblasting, stripping down, and de-rusting damaged aluminum or steel furniture.

Consider comfortable seating when you buy patio furniture.

For those who enjoy the look of cotton without the possibility of mold or mildew, there are acrylic alternatives. There is also a line of quick-drying patio furniture to use by pools, which resists rust and chlorine damage. NEED BOX AT END.



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