A nice looking patio is useless if you cannot enjoy it properly and some rustic log patio furniture may be just the answer for that. Pine and cedar furniture that is designed specifically for the outdoors not only looks great but it is also extremely functional. Not only will the rustic touch add to the overall image of your patio and garden, but you will also enjoy all the comforts of your home outdoors.

Rustic furniture is one of the hottest trends in home decorating and chances are it will still be fashionable years and years from now. Pine and cedar wood is mostly used to manufacture rustic log patio furniture, but other types of wood might also be used. One of the main concerns related to outdoor furniture is the effect of the elements on the wood and coating, as well as on other accessories and parts. To answer such problems, most outdoor furniture manufacturers offer items that are waterproof and that age in a graceful manner under the sun‘s rays.

Items to consider as your rustic log patio furniture

Chairs are, of course, the number one furniture item that comes to mind when thinking of the outdoors. Enjoy the beauty of your garden in a traditional or Adirondack style chair. You can get an unvarnished wooden chair if you want to keep your home as rustic as possible, or you can go with a soft weathered paint or exterior coated chair. Ottomans are another item of rustic log patio furniture that you could put on your “to buy” list. Not only do they offer excellent comfort, ottomans are also more stylish than chairs and they improve the visual aspect of your patio. Footrests are a popular item to buy alongside ottomans and chairs.

Rocker chairs are exclusive and fun, plus you can use a blanket to make them soft and cozy and spend hours admiring the view of your garden or yard. And if you wish, you can take this even further and purchase a wooden love seat, providing a great place to share memories with the one you love.

Benches, tables and children’s furniture

These rustic log patio furniture items should also be on your list if you wish to have a great looking and, at the same time, extremely functional patio. Log style benches are priceless when it comes to seating a lot of guests. Of course, when you are all alone you can also use the bench as a footrest. Tables and coffee tables are another popular rustic log patio furniture item.

Rot resistant materials are used in all the mentioned furniture items and many manufacturers offer insect resistant ones as well. If you have children, why not let them enjoy the patio as much as you do? You can buy small sized rockers, tables and chairs and you can go for natural wood or a variety of lively colors your kids will love.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in learning more about rustic home decor then you will definitely want to drop by Rustic Adornments.com, a resource that offers tips and advice pertaining to country-themed homes. http://www.rusticadornments.com

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour’s lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here’s a quick primer on the available types and their care.

Construction Methods

Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the finished product. The molten metal is poured into the form and then the form is removed when the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and hammered into shape produces the type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal and joins them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials

The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, is growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don’t expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for 100 years.

Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you’re buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you’re using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used around a pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.

Whether you’re looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.

If you’re buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee durability.

Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a month with a solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.

Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys produce hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion.

Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel until the Second World War when the heavy military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be found at flea markets.

If you’re looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the product is either stainless or powder-coated and that any hardware used is also rust-resistant.

Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy!

About The Author

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com; paradiseporch@lincsat.com