All-Weather Wicker Stands up to Natural Wicker

Rochester, MI, July 14, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Wicker furniture has been an outdoor tradition on porches, patios and in gardens for centuries. Maintenance-free or all-weather wicker is a relatively new buzzword in the patio furniture industry. So the debate of all-weather wicker vs. natural wicker arises…does all-weather wicker really have all of the character, beauty and comfort of natural wicker without the maintenance worries? Most quality patio furniture manufacturers that produce all-weather wicker furniture (and their customers) say a definite yes.

"People are creating second living and dining rooms in their backyards and need stylish, yet sensible patio furniture—all-weather wicker is perfect for this reasoning," said Jenny Jiang, president of Patio Preserve (http://www.patiopreserve.com), a Michigan-based patio furniture manufacturer. Patio furniture has changed drastically to accommodate this growing trend and there are a wide variety of weather-friendly materials on the market today. "The traditional natural materials, like natural wicker, initially offer beauty and comfort, however cannot stand up or last in this new extended outdoor living trend," added Jiang.

Natural wicker furniture is traditionally made from materials such as rattan, a tropical climbing palm, or bamboo, a large tropical grass, or cane. This material easily chips, fades and eventually rots when exposed to long periods of humidity, rain, heat, sunlight and cold. Natural wicker furniture's rattan, bamboo or softwood frames are not moisture-friendly and can easily rot as well.

By contrast, all-weather wicker furniture is woven with polyethylene resin fibers that when coupled with a sturdy aluminum frame, will stand up to long periods of outdoor use. This resin synthetic material is formed into narrow vine-like pieces that look almost identical to natural materials. Steel and aluminum won't warp or come unglued, and aluminum frames are rustproof. Another major plus is that because dyes can be mixed right into the resin, the furniture will not peel, chip or flake like painted natural wicker.

Advantages of All-Weather Wicker
·Resin material is virtually maintenance-free
·Very close look of natural wicker
·Material is smoother and softer than natural wicker
·Lightweight, yet sturdy
·Stands up to excessive moisture (humidity and rain)
·Resistant to extreme heat and light (no splintering or chipping)
·Aluminum frames are durable and weatherproof
·Cleaning is simple, just hose off
·Colors such as white, brown and black will not chip or peel

A majority of people surveyed by the Summer and Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association (SCFMA) last year said they expected to replace their outdoor furniture every five years. "This is unnecessary if you purchase quality all-weather products which can last a lifetime with minimal care and maintenance," said Jiang. When choosing quality all-weather wicker, Jiang suggests the following:

·Quality all-weather wicker pieces of furniture should be tightly woven, with no gaps.

·Leg bottoms should have protective taps or casters.

·Sit in the chair. Does it feel comfortable and sturdy?

·Manufacturer should offer warranty.

Patio Preserve specializes in all-weather wicker furniture that is remarkably soft and supple and resists tears, sunlight, temperature changes, rain, and snow. It backs the claim with a one-year warranty.

About Patio Preserve
Patio Preserve offers high quality, outdoor patio furniture and umbrellas, bird baths, arbors and trellises, garden accessories, chimeneas and fire pits--all at discounted prices. As a family-owned, outdoor furniture manufacture for over 20 years, they know the industry, and more importantly, they know their customers. They are unique in that they are manufacturers, designers, and customer service experts. This combination has paved the way for their superiority in the business. Visit www.patiopreserve.com.

Wicker History 101:
·Wicker is not a type of material, but actually refers to a technique of weaving either long strips of plants or synthetic material.
·Wicker-like woven furniture has been around since ancient Sumeria and Egypt
·The Elizabethans made furniture woven from twigs appearing very similar to wicker
·It wasn't until Cyrus Wakefield got curious about a discarded packing material he found tossed aside at the docks that true wicker was born. Cyrus Wakefield was the first manufacturer of rattan furniture. The Wakefield Rattan Company began operations in 1855.

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