With the increased new trend in outdoor living, which has undoubtedly been by TV Gardening DIY programs, we are all spending more money on our garden and patio areas. Creating an inspirational outdoor living space is something we can all do, with a wide range of hard and soft landscaping products, lighting, decorations and garden accessories available widely on the market.

Some of the latest innovations are in garden heating which allows us to spend more of our precious leisure time enjoying our garden or patio area, be it for entertaining family and guests or simply for relaxing. Gas patio Heaters provide instant controllable heat and warmth, thus making your outside room as comfortable and enjoyable as any of your inside rooms. On days when the temperature is not as warm as one would like, the patio heater can be turned on to give off a heat circle of around 6 metres and gas patio heaters come into their own after sun set, when they create atmospheres from party to tranquil.

When choosing a gas patio heater always ensure that it has the necessary safety features such as; a tilt sensor, which will cut off the gas and flame if the patio heater is knocked or blown over whilst in use and also an auto shut off switch will cut off the gas if the flame is blown out.

Patio heaters come in many shapes and sizes, but by far the most popular are the upright standing heater, sometimes available with a circular table around the gas bottle housing, and the table top patio heater. Heat output is measured in Kilowatts and sizes range from 12 kw up to 15kw gas patio heaters, which are usually used for pub, hotel and commercial environments. Finished gas patio heaters usually range from coloured powder coated to the more expensive stainless steel models. The main difference in finishes relate to the likely life of the heater. Stainless steel patio heaters look by far the most impressive and will keep their lustre for many years. Powder coated patio heaters tend to weather slightly less well and will rust if the powder coating is damaged.

Table top heaters are very popular but are a lot smaller and also have a much smaller heat output but they are a very effective way of providing heat to people immediately around the garden table.

Accessories for Patio heaters include covers ( which are a must is you intend to leave it outside during the winter), wheels – which will enable you to easily move the heater around the garden, ballast tanks which give extra stability and most good patio heaters actually come with a gas bottle regulator installed and ready for easy attachment.

Patio heaters run off bottles gas, mainly butane but sometime propane which is widely available in the UK and most other countries. The regulator which is usually supplied with the heater, clips straight onto the bottle and is easy to install. Gas regulators are supplied by all gas bottle suppliers, but ensure that you take you gas bottle along to the dealer as there are varying sizes of bottle head.

Patio heaters require very little maintenance if any at all, and will give extend your time in your garden or on you patio.

Some safety points worth remembering are;

Position in a fairly sheltered area, as this will both reduce the likelihood of damage in strong winds and also increase the amount of ambient heat output.

If the heater is outdoors during the winter, buy a patio heater cover and protect you heater with it.

Always leave the gas bottle in the heater to give it extra weight.

If you patio heater comes supplied with a ballast tank in the base, fill it with sand or if none is available, use water but mix car anti-freeze with it, otherwise the tank may crack when freezing occurs in winter.

Do not let children use the patio heater as a toy or climbing frame.

Enjoy long nights throughout the year with your patio heater – your life will take a new turn into outdoor living.

Angus Charlton is managing director of Arboreta Patio heaters Store ( http://www.arboreta.co.uk ). He is a keen gardener who has developed a garden furniture business that resources from sustainable rainforests and specializes in patio heating.

When selecting furniture for their outdoor spaces, many people purchase pieces made with teak, a hard strong durable golden-brown wood, which is both resistant to the elements and requires little maintenance.

Teak grows in the region of Southeast Asia, mainly in Java, Indonesia, and is harvested from the surrounding forests and teak plantations by the locals and the Indonesian government. The wood of the teak tree is naturally resistant to insects, warping, splintering and the elements, which makes it an ideal wood for creating furniture.

First brought to Indonesia by the Dutch in the early 1800’s, teak is one of the main crops of the region. While it takes 50 to 60 years of growth before they can be harvested, the height of each individual tree can reach 150 ft. which makes for a high timber yield and a very lucrative crop. In fact, money earned from harvesting teak trees sustains thousands of families in the region.

Once the trees have been harvested, they are shipped to manufacturers in Indonesia and the America’s for use in the production of beautiful, durable teak furniture that is a favorite among consumers.

Not only is teak furniture available in a wide variety of styles and pieces, teak is unique in that it can withstand the elements year after year with virtually no maintenance. With teak, there is no sealing, no staining, and no finishing. Additionally, teak furniture is virtually indestructible and versatile enough to be used in any setting.

When browsing through teak furniture you will find everything your heart desires to make your outdoor experience exquisite. You can choose from benches, chairs, tables, swings, dining sets, sofas, chairs, rocking chairs, gliders, chaise lounges and patio tables; each one beautifully sculpted and handcrafted for optimal quality and style. You can also accessorize with teak tea carts, planters and spa accessories.

Teak furniture can also be purchased in a variety of styles to compliment any decor or setting. They include: Chippendale, Derby, cottage, Normandy, Western and rustic, just to name a few. You can choose from pieces that have been hand-carved with intricate designs, or you can pick out coordinating cushions to add an element of design. The bottom line is: If you want it, you can find it in teak furniture.

While furniture made out of teak is a little more expensive than garden furniture made out of other materials (expect to spend a few hundred dollars or more on each piece), it is well worth the cost. The lack of maintenance and length of time that teak furniture remains beautiful and durable make it a better buy over the other options.

So if you are looking to customize your outdoor setting with beautiful, unique, durable furnishings, teak furniture may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Whether you prefer the intricately carved designs often associated with country French style or the sleek lines of the Adirondack chair, you will not be disappointed when you shop for teak furniture.

Jennifer Akre is a successful business owner of numerous outdoor furniture websites such as http://www.MoreThanTeak.com. Her sites include product and information about teak furniture and other outdoor furniture such as Adirondack furniture, for your patio or garden.