What's Wicker Rattan
Wicker furniture is a type of furniture, made up of a hard, woven, fiber. This fiber has traditionally originated from plant material, but plastics have replaced most of these traditional practices. Taking care of wicker furniture has become easier as a result, but the delicate plastic wicker sets still need special care in most cases.
Wicker has gone back to the ancient times of Egypt, and has since been a very popular material to craft many types of items. Furniture such as chairs, tables, and couches has all been very popular among wicker items. The interesting part about wicker is that it is very resilient and strong despite its appearance of being otherwise. In fact, the material is used in applications such as hot air balloon rides where strength is needed as a material when carrying passengers hundreds of feet off the ground.
Even though strength is an attribute of the wicker furniture that has become so popular, there are a few things that owners should be aware of. While the wicker furniture can withstand a lot of weight, the individual fibers are easy to tear. This means that animals or young children may accidentally rip or tear fibers out of the weaving through obnoxious behavior. This makes wicker furniture best suited for patio life where it won't get much use. Constant use of wicker furniture detracts from the overall vitality and lifespan of the furniture, even if pets or small kids aren't present. This is because on average, wicker furniture will become deformed or destroyed long before classic cushion and wood furniture.
When wicker is made of plant material, it is usually treated to withstand weather such as rain. The plastic version of wicker furniture also sees a good protection from rain making wicker furniture ideal for outdoor and patio life. Although wicker furniture can withstand the element of water, surviving hail can be another story completely depending on the severity. Wicker is also flammable in most cases, so wicker furniture should not be placed near fireplaces or near bonfires. Protecting wicker furniture from the elements usually isn't a problem, however, and outside life is usually ideal for the type of furniture.
The sad part of a deformed piece of wicker furniture is that once it starts to go downhill, it will most likely continue. When fibers are torn out of the weave, it usually doesn't take long for another one in the nearby area to come out as well. To prevent this, the fiber that was originally removed should be attempted to be put back into the weave to prevent snagging or further ripping. If it can't be, then simply cutting it at the base of the tear is usually the best way to save the wicker furniture. If a hole is not desired, then glue and a little handy work can effectively stick the free fiber to a nearby fiber, creating a bond that will partially close the hole, yet still prevent further damage.
In modern times, most things become a hybrid. Hybrid technology suggests that two pieces of technology combine to make a better product. This has become true with wicker furniture, as well. Instead of the classic all-wicker makeup of furniture, designers are using metals to help put a little extra stability in, as well as provide a little more design-worthy praise. These hybrids are usually just for looks, but also prove to be far less likely to be damaged than all wicker furniture. In this makeup, the metal usually takes the role of the support beams, and the wicker is used for the cushion. As a result, the completed furniture looks stylish with metallic and plant-like materials combined and the slimmer chance of damaging the furniture is a nice plus.
A trend that has recently begun to become popular is to place cushions and blankets over wicker furniture. For many people, this is a poor choice, since it covers up the wicker that many see as the true beauty of the furniture. For others, it is a great way to make sure damage is minimal when using wicker furniture, and also a great deal more comfortable. Wicker tends to be hard, although not hard enough to provide immediate discomfort. Putting cushions or blankets on wicker furniture usually is done with sofas or couches, as wicker chairs are usually comfortable enough, and don't take damage as easy as sofas or couches do.
The big benefit to wicker furniture is the lightweight characteristic is possesses. Wicker furniture is incredibly lightweight, and it sometimes baffles people as to how sturdy it can be at such a low weight. The weight of wicker furniture is usually dependent upon the material used to make it. Wicker can come from reed, bamboo, and many other types of material. This material also determines what kind of damage resistance it has. The more sturdy types of material, such as bamboo, will resist damage easier but is generally less comfortable. This puts a little strategy into the game of buying wicker furniture. A decision between comfort, damage resistance, look, weight, and immunity to the elements should be taken into effect.
Lastly, the price should be considered. Wicker furniture is usually much less expensive than other types of patio furniture, making it a great decision to buy. The only thing that should be taken into effect is the durability, which most types of other patio furniture can boast a lot more of. Nevertheless, wicker furniture can add a very flavorful look to any patio, deck, outdoor, or even indoor life.
With a little care, wicker furniture can last just as long as other types of furniture. A little protection, handy work, and maintenance can all be used to extend the life of wicker furniture. Cushions and blankets also extend the life of wicker furniture, as well as the material used to make the furniture. Taking into effect all of these possibilities may seem daunting but choosing the right wicker furniture is as easy as going to the store and giving a piece of wicker a trial run.
