Garden Furniture Table, chairs & a parasol, dont know whether to go for wood or glass & metal or plastic?

Question

I am looking for an attractive, sturdy easy to clean & look after table & chairs for my garden. (possibly one thats seats 6 people) However, do not want to spend a fortune, can anyone recommended where i should go for this, i.e Argos, Robert Dyas etc I have never brought garden furniture before, so need to know whats good & whats not! Thanks

Answer 1

Plastic doesn't wear too well. My favourite garden furniture is the wooden type. It lasts for years if you apply some wood oil to it once a year & it looks lovely. It can be expensive, but I got my set from my nearest IKEA store (www.ikea.co.uk) & it was cheaper than some plastic sets I've seen in garden centres etc!

Answer 2

I would go for wood, it's a renewable source and if made from sustained / managed forests then have minimal environmental impact. Plus, when you finally get rid of it they are biudegradeable and so can be recycled instead of sitting in land fill like plastic would. Plus, I just think wood looks much better, natural and compliments the garden well I think.

Woolworths usually have a good range at reasonable prices and last time I looked they had a sale. Try their website.

Good luck. Oh, buy one of those covers that go over your furniture to save you having to fold your garden furniture away when it rains, also means as soon as rain stops you can use it and it won't be damp.

Answer 3

The type of material you choose for your garden furniture depends on many variables.
The style of your home would dictate to a degree the style.
for example if you have a traditional style home, timber or cast iron furniture would be a good choice.
If it were a more modern home, you could use plastic or glass and aluminium.
The climate where you live would also have a bearing on your choice.
If you don't want to spend a lot of money, then perhaps buy a quality used setting. You can often buy from someone who's moving house at a fraction of new price.

Answer 4

Wood is beautiful but has to be maintained and treated also stays damp after a shower. Plastic is easy to clean, and you can leave the seats tilted forward so they don't stay wet in the rain, or you can dry them easily with a towel. They get weathered after a few years and stark getting discoloured and cracked. Don't know about metal

Argos has a good selection including a set for four with 2 loungers table and umbrella for about £90. and they'll deliver for about £4. Tesco have a small table umbrella and two chairs for about £15 which I think is a great price

Answer 5

In my opinion, wood is best. As long as you put it indoors through the winter, and a coat of varnish or stain every 2-3 years, it'll make you proud. We have had plastic, just plain cheap unless you plan to keep it only a summer or two, and a VERY expensive metal and glass with grapevine details, that was SO heavy to bring in and out for the seasons, and ended up rusting, as well as the glass top cracking from a tree branch in a thunderstorm, lol! So based on my personal experience, wood is your best bet! Good luck! :)

Answer 6

I have just got a set from Focus DIY, it sits 6 with parasol and its metal with a toughen glass and grey plastic and metal mesh chairs and it was only about £250 for the set. If the weather carries on like this I am sire most of the DIY stores will start doing deals.

Answer 7

well its always your decision at the end of the day but i will advise you any how /wood will rot with time /glass can be dangerous if you have children around and to plastic its durable long lasting easy to clean it wont get hot in summer and burn you if you lean on it so with all this in mind think about the pros and the cons now decide and go have you self a nice time .

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

a good quality wooden one looks fantastic in the garden and doesnt rust like metal and doesnt break as easily as glass.

check around google for some good sites for garden furniture.. also if you have a place called "hooties" near you, id try there.. its mega cheap

Answer 10

your outdoor environment will determine what type of furniture more than anything. Also take into consideration your lifestyle. Family or not pets things like that.