Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

Written by Debbie Rodgers


Continued from page 1

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that never rusts. Much ofrepparttar early aluminum furniture fromrepparttar 100151 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 thoughrepparttar 100152 main frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determinesrepparttar 100153 final color ofrepparttar 100154 piece andrepparttar 100155 durability ofrepparttar 100156 metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked ontorepparttar 100157 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 atrepparttar 100158 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.

Beforerepparttar 100159 production of aluminum furniture inrepparttar 100160 mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured inrepparttar 100161 later half ofrepparttar 100162 1800s. American companies used solid steel untilrepparttar 100163 Second World War whenrepparttar 100164 heavy military demand for steel dictatedrepparttar 100165 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 surerepparttar 100166 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!

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


Quick Housecleaning Tips For Your Home

Written by Fayola Peters


Continued from page 1

5.Use natural cleaning products. House Cleaning is not just about cleanliness, it’s also about safety inrepparttar home. Using natural cleaning products can protect you and your family fromrepparttar 100150 harmful elements of synthetic cleaning products.

6.Get clutter free. Hey, I'm sure you've got those stacks of old magazines somewhere inrepparttar 100151 house. They're gathering dust because there is one article about child rearing that you need to read or a recipe that you have to clip. Or is your linen closet a mess because you refuse to throw out old sheets and cases.

7.When you are about to embark on a housecleaning task, do yourself a favor and turn downrepparttar 100152 ringer on your phones. Phone conversation can cause you to forgetrepparttar 100153 task at hand.

8.Get housecleaning music. Don't choose those slow love songs. Get some lively music, stuff that gets you inrepparttar 100154 cleaning mood (if such a mood exists).

9.Make a housecleaning maintenance plan for each room ofrepparttar 100155 house.

10.Hire a house cleaning service. At least once a year treat yourself. Hire professionals to dorepparttar 100156 house cleaning for you. What do you think about making an appointment for a day in December, somewhere inrepparttar 100157 teens ofrepparttar 100158 month?

Well you now have ten (10) house cleaning tips to get you started. Happy Housecleaning!



Fayola Peters is the web publisher of housecleaning-tips.com. You can get more housecleaning tips at her website http://www.housecleaning-tips.com


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