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Outdoor wooden benches, dining sets and other pieces need to be maintained – no matter how well made they are or high quality their finish and craftsmanship. We take a look the best ways to maintain and protect your garden furniture.
Protect Your Garden Furniture From Rain
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day
If there is one thing that is predictable about the British weather, it is in unpredictability. For so long, we have struggled to forecast accurately what the next 24 hours of weather hold and in the UK our weather patterns are so changeable in such a short space of time, it is no wonder we are obsessed with what the weather is doing.
However, there are many parts of the UK that are guaranteed rain – and plenty of it.
The good news, that well-protected furniture is somewhat impervious to rain. But the key is protection.
Rain is wet and that means erosion. And as it dries, items become damp and that means mould and other not-so-nice bits sharing your wooden dining set with you.
To protect against rain, you need to nourish the wood and give it a protective coating. You can do this by;
- Paint, stain or varnish – all three of which are a great option for adding a rain-resistant barrier to the wooden item. For other materials, you will need to take a different
- Waterproof garden furniture covers – as well as painting, staining or varnishing, invest in a heavy-duty, high-quality waterproof garden furniture cover to keep the majority of the rain off your prized garden set.
A heavy gauge cover will work well during winter too but if you can, store garden furniture in a dry place over the winter months.
Shield From The Sun
The sun has got his hat on…
Not always something you can predict here in Britain but when the sun does shine, you want to be outside enjoying al fresco meals and everything your garden has to offer.
The sun should shine from April through to September with July and August being peak summer months. Even though we don’t always get hot sunshine, it is amazing the effects of the sun on a natural material should as wood.
And they are not good effects either…;
- Drying out wood is the first problem with harsh sun, draining all the nourishment and water in the interior structure of the wood. This causes the wood to split and when that happens, dirt and detritus get into the grooves and your wooden garden furniture set is never the same again.
- Sun bleaching drains the colour from outdoor materials, wood included.
A cover is the best move when you are not using the garden furniture but making sure it is well prepared for the summer is also a good move.
As well as keeping it clean, nourished wood – such as Danish oil on teak wood furniture – also gives it an extra layer of protection against the drying effects of the sun.
Keep it Safe From Cold and Ice
The cold never bothered me anyway
Hardwood is a slow growing wood and the teak in our range is from sustainable tropical forests. In other words, our wood loves heat and sun but is just not used to cold, harsh, icy weather.
But again, not every British winter means we are covered in Christmas card perfect snow and ice. Our winters can be quite temperate, with the occasional night frosts and nothing more.
Thus, protecting your garden furniture from cold and ice is essential. And that means;
- A waterproof cover to keep as much snow and ice off as possible
- Storing in a dry place, such as a garage or shed
- Keeping it well-nourished and sealed against moisture whilst allowing the wood to breathe
- Placing it in a protected part of your garden for the winter is an alternative if you don’t have room in the shed or garage.
Protect it From Non-Weather Issues Too
Dirt & Detrius
From rotting leaves to small bits of soil, stone and other detritus that settles on garden furniture. This is a nuisance that can lead to problems with garden furniture, especially in joints and crevices.
The problem with dirt is that it is hard and abrasive. After long periods of storage, before you use your garden furniture, wash it down with tepid water and allow to dry in the breeze. Giving it the occasional brush and clean over summer is not a bad idea either.
Frankly, a little attention goes a long way when it comes to garden furniture.
Anna is the marketing and office manager for Garden Benches – a premium supplier of high-quality wooden benches and other outdoor furniture.
