6 tips for choosing rattan wicker chairs

Stylish and practical decoration country house, garden plot or urban apartments artificial rattan chairs can become. Being an analogue of natural raw materials, artificial rattan outperformed it in many respects. it inexpensive, strong, easy and durable materialwhich is not afraid to leave in the sun or in the rain. No wonder faux rattan furniture won folk love, and its range in stores is constantly expanding. Before buying, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with some of the nuances of choice so that the purchased product will please you for many years.

No. 1. What is artificial rattan?

Artificial Rattan, sometimes referred to as techno rattan, polyrotang and synthetic rattan, Is a polymer material based on capron and cellulose. Artificial rattan fiber are made as follows:

• nylon and cellulose are added to the synthetic thread. Sometimes rubber is added to give greater flexibility;
• to fix the structure and give the fibers the necessary shape, the material is passed through a special apparatus - an extruder. Thanks to this, the threads are obtained in various thicknesses;
• the resulting fibers are fixed with special substances.

The exact composition of artificial rattan is a trade secret.

Externally material little distinguishable from natural rattan, because from the polymer mass it is possible to form straws of any shade and accurately imitate the structure of natural fiber. Synthetic rattan has several advantages over natural and costs a lot cheaper. Natural rattan is obtained from palm trees, which grow mainly in Indonesia, and its artificial counterpart is produced all over the world, which explains its high availability and popularity.

Artificial strips can be of any length, unlike natural fiber. This allows you to make chairs and other furniture items any complexity, sizes and configurationstranslate into reality the most daring design ideas. The frame can be made of metal or molded plastic.

No. 2. Advantages of artificial rattan chairs

Artificial rattan chairs will become not only beautiful, but also practical decoration. The use of synthetic fiber allowed to achieve numerous advantages:

• universality. Wicker chairs made of artificial rattan are perfect for apartments and houses, as well as for open veranda and terraces;
• resistance to temperature extremes, direct sunlight and precipitation. Artificial rattan furniture can be watered from a garden hose, and even if it remains in the rain outside, you should not worry - nothing will happen to it. For complacency, you can put a canopy over such furniture, which will allow you to relax in an armchair even on the hottest days, without fear of scorching sunlight;
• high strength and resiliencetherefore, under the influence of large masses, the surface does not deform. Even the most fragile-looking chair can easily withstand up to 150 kg, so it will cope perfectly with its direct function;
• ease products. Wicker chairs made of artificial rattan are quite simply rearranged from one place to another;
• artificial rattan does not rot, does not swell and does not dry out, unlike its natural counterpart;
• long service life. According to manufacturers, even after decades, the furniture will remain as beautiful, comfortable and durable;
  
• no burrswhich inevitably appear over time on natural rattan;
• diversity. Color, shape and size can be practically any.
• affordable price;
• easy care. Rattan does not attract dust, and simple water, a brush and a dry absorbent cloth are suitable for cleaning. If serious contamination is necessary, cleaners are used. They will not be able to damage the surface of the chair.

Disadvantages wicker chairs made of this material are practically absent, but now some similar products can cost 30-40% more expensive than their natural counterparts - this is a fee for the original design and practicality. Another nuance - possible crunch under the influence of gravity. It is associated with the peculiarities of the production of rattan furniture: it is usually covered with oil paint, which includes polyurethane, and a special varnish. The latter becomes the cause of a specific crunch.

No. 3. How to determine the quality of artificial rattan?

The popularity of techno-rattan furniture has led to the fact that not very high-quality products appeared in stores that were made without observing certain rules, and therefore did not have all the advantages listed above. For the chosen chair to serve faithfully for many years, it is necessary when buying, pay attention to such nuances:

• frame material. The frame can be made of aluminum, steel or molded plastic. The latter is rarely used, and the most widely used aluminum frame. It should be strong enough and thick - products with thin aluminum tubes will be short-lived and unable to withstand a large person. Steel frame can not be called a good solution, especially if the chair will be outdoors, since the steel used, as a rule, is not covered with a protective coating and rusts over time;
• weave tension - an important indicator of product quality. Checking the tension is easy. To do this, just push your hand on the weave - a high degree of resistance indicates the strength of the chair;
• weaving density determined by the location of the individual strips of artificial rattan in relation to each other: the closer, the better;
• if the chair will be constantly increased load, it is better to choose a product with additional weaving. It is located on the inside and is created using metal mesh or special belts;
• number of joints. A quality rattan chair will have only one joint. Only such products can be used in the open air;
• surface must be smoothwithout cracks or burrs.

Number 4. Where can I use an artificial rattan chair?

Versatility allows the use of wicker chairs in rooms of any style and purpose. They can be placed in residential apartments and housestaking a worthy place in the living room, the dining room or at balcony. Modern wicker chairs can be either a separate element of the interior or enter into dining sets together with a table. As a rule, such sets are performed in a single style. Therefore, they look beautiful in the room of any design. Artificial rattan chairs will decorate the interior in style provence, loft, country, as well as complement the premises in the Scandinavian style.

Wicker chairs for arranging a recreation area are indispensable in a country house or in the country. They can be placed on the veranda, terrace, on the spacious balcony, in pergola or place on the territory of the site, thus equipping a luxurious recreation area. Another area of ​​application for rattan chairs is catering establishments. IN cafes, restaurants and bars similar furniture can be used both in summer areas and in main halls.

No. 5. Variety of colors and shapes

The variety created by manufacturers allows you to easily choose a chair of the appropriate size, height, color and design. Size and height are selected depending on purpose of use: if the chair will serve for relaxation and light snacks in nature or on the balcony, then it can be low enough, but if it is used along with the dining table, it should be so high that it was convenient for the seater to eat.

Product color it can be anything, but most often you can find chairs in different shades of gray and brown. Do not forget to pick up immediately soft pillowsso that the rest on the armchair is as comfortable as possible.

The design of the wicker chair may vary. The most common are ordinary chairs with legs or with a continuous footboard, since they are as functional as possible and can be used both for relaxation and for arranging the dining area. On sale you can meet rocking chairswhich provide the seater with maximum comfort and relaxation.

The most interesting option is hanging chair, which will find application in a city apartment and in the country. The product is attached to a strong metal tripod and can withstand up to 250 kg. Since the tripod has a base that mounts on the floor or the ground, the chair can position anywhere and easily move if necessary. Such products, as a rule, have an oval or round shape, but can be square. There are many options, you can even attach a hanging chair to a tree branch in the garden.

If a table, sofa, or any other artificial rattan item is purchased with a rattan chair, it is important to consider in advance how much they will be combined. In order not to bother, it is better to pay attention to ready-made kits. The size of the selected pieces of furniture should correspond to the room or the designated area on the site.

No. 6. Care and Repair

Artificial rattan chairs are very unpretentious in leaving. To maintain cleanliness, they can sometimes be wiped with a damp cloth or watered directly from a garden hose. For cleaning from more serious pollution use a soap solution and a stiff brush.

Most breakdowns can be fixed at home. If fiber burst, then damaged tapes can be boldly cut off, and then a hole purchased in the store with similar strips will be braided. It is not difficult to replace rusted fasteners with stainless ones, having previously cleaned the corrosion spots. If desired, the chair can be repaint in any desired shade using acrylic spray paint.

The beautiful appearance of wicker chairs made of synthetic rattan allows you to create a nice and cozy sitting area, and excellent performance will ensure furniture durability and save the owner from the hassle of caring for her.