Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 15, 1990 TAG: 9004160399
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff and wire reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Injection-molded resin outdoor furniture, made from polypropylene with added minerals for strength, strain and weather resistance, is one of the fastest growing types. But reproductions of the simpler style, referred to as "roundwood" or "twig" also are making strong statements on patios and in gardens.
And, somewhere in between, there are the cast aluminum designs, which are showing up with more indoor looks for outdoors.
Among the pieces that Tropitone introduced at the International Home Furnishings Market in 1989 were an Oriental bamboo-look tub chair and a sleek stackable, cushion-optional, chair.
The company, which has East Coast headquarters in Sarasota, Fla., also made fabric a big issue at the market, adding jacquards and formal stripes to the usual outdoor cushion looks.
Even twig furniture has been getting updated.
One designer and manufacturer of twig furniture, Abby Ruouff of Wood-Lot Farms in Shady, N.Y., sees a growing trend in painted pieces - even shocking pink - protected by a final coat of polyurethane.
When you start to look for outdoor furniture, have a budget in mind and treat the experience like any other furniture purchase.
Consider durability, maintenance and design when you make a purchase. Check for quality and stability by leaning on both arms of a chair - the arms and the legs should not bend or shift position.
Remember to choose seating materials that withstand the weather in your area.
Vinyl straps are easy to clean and will last a long time.
Textilene, a polyester fabric used for outdoor cushions, is cool to sit on and resists sun damage but can stain.
Polyester fiberfill is a quick-drying stuffing for cushions that resists mildew. Here is a look at a variety of frames for outdoor furniture and the advantages for those frames:
Aluminum - Stands up to all weather, lightweight easy to maintain.
Resin - Tough, pliable plastic framing that will not fade or yellow in direct sunlight.
Vinyl - Polyvinyl chloride frames are lightweight, durable and resist fading and yellowing.
Wrought iron - Decorative, easy to clean, lasts a lifetime. Very heavy.
Wolmanized pine - Wood that has been pressure treated to protect against decay. Durable. Moderately heavy.
Outdoor wicker - A strong synthetic fiber that resists water.
Source for ratings: Treasure Island Furniture
by CNB