The popularity of outdoor living space has shot up among homeowners over the past year, according to the annual American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey. “Almost two-thirds of [residential ] architects reported an increase in demand for outdoor kitchens, patios and decks, which is a dramatic surge from just one year ago,” said the institute’s chief economist Kermit Baker. These are spaces where families cook and serve dinner, entertain guests, watch TV, listen to music, have a drink at the bar, exercise, play and more. Such a space also constitutes a major investment. So now that balmy days and cool, crisp nights have arrived, it’s time to consider how to make the most of that investment through winter and early spring — minus shivers, chills, mittens and earmuffs. Some of the latest in furnishings and accessories will help.
FURNITURE Outdoor furniture is rougher and tougher than ever, although some types are better able than others to withstand frigid as well as fiery temperatures, the sun’s rays, rain or snow. Before buying, consider where and how you want to place and use furnishings, and understand how different materials require different care. A key factor is whether you’ll place the furniture under a roof, such as on a porch or in a gazebo, or out in the open.
If you think you’ll be moving the furniture from a breezy summertime spot to a more sheltered winter area, weight and mobility will be important. Many types of outdoor furniture are available Wicker and rattan furniture are among the most popular.
Rattan is a tropical vine with a hard outer surface that can be used as wood. Its tough, fibrous core can be separated and worked in- to the furniture as twisted rattan or wicker. Rattan is typically designed for use indoors or in a sheltered outdoor setting.
Wicker made from vinyl resin is weatherproof and realistic looking. It generally has a three-year warranty, says Dale Vinson at Ken Rash’s Casual Furniture in Little Rock.
Traditionally, natural wicker furniture, made of woven rattan fibers, had to be kept on porches and verandas rather than out in the rain or extreme cold. But companies like Laneventure are now coating the fibers and frames with acrylic-based resins like those in premier outdoor paints. That means the pieces can sit under the sky with the same warranty length as manmade wicker.
Loom wicker is made in a century-old process in which natural strands are spun tighter for a smoother feel, better finish and greater durability. Those with resin-coated strands also are weatherproof (although all types benefit from furniture covers ). Many types of wood work well outdoors year-round. In all cases, be sure the wood used came from managed forests and plantations.
Western red cedar and white cedar as well as cypress, teak, jarrah (which comes from an Australian eucalyptus that’s one of the world’s hardest, most durable timbers ) and certain other species contain natural oils that resist insect attack and decay. Furniture and accessories can live outdoors year after year.
Jarrah, with its beautiful natural red color, is hard to find in Arkansas. The Jensen Jarrah brand is sold in Little Rock at Ken Rash’s and Jack’s Quality Products (also in Tontitown ), and Congo Stove, Fireplace & Patio in Benton.
Pressure-treated pine is usually the least expensive wood. It can be left alone outdoors to darken over time but will last longer with a protective finish. Aluminum furniture is rust-free and comes with warranties as long as 15 years, Vinson says, making it a good value even with aluminum prices rising.
Cast aluminum is made by pouring molten aluminum into molds and letting it cool. It’s strong and won’t become corroded. The casting process allows for showing off fine details like those on elaborate cafe tables and chairs. Tubular extruded aluminum is lighter weight.
Both types come with paint or powder-coated finishes. “The best analogy is automobiles,” Vinson says, “in that they put it on [the same way ] as the paint on your car.” Wrought iron outdoor furniture is heavy and strong but can rust, so it needs an epoxy primer or automotive-type finish with matching touch-up paint to fix nicks or scratches.
High density polyethylene plastic is derived from recycled waste such as milk jugs and plastic packaging that has been purified and UV protected with color pigments added. It won’t splinter, rot or peel and never needs sealing or painting. Some versions look like wood. View www. poly-lumber-furniture. com and www. millcraftfur niture. com, which manufacture outdoor furniture from the product.
FABRICS AND CUSHIONS New fabrics like Sunbrella and Outdura as well as cushion fillings and designs mean they needn’t be dragged indoors when they aren’t in use. “They have really opened up the outdoors,” Vinson says. The fabric threads are dyed then woven, rather than woven and then imprinted. Vinson compares the result to a carrot, the same color all through, versus a red radish, red only on the outside. The fabrics are UV-resistant and mildew will not grow on them; it needs pollen, dirt or spills to feed on. So the cushions need a periodic hosing down or washing in cold water and mild soap. Airdrying takes minutes. Many cushions have fillings that sop up water like a sponge. But newer cushion cores, such as those of slickened polyester fibers like Dacron, drain and dry quickly. Laneventure has a patented drainthrough cushion that incorporates a mesh material on the bottom to further speed the process.
HEAT ’EM UP A wintertime outdoor space needs heat centers. Your grill will serve as one. Here are ideas for auxiliaries. Add a fireplace to your outdoor space, whether it be permanent or portable. Prices for permanent fireplaces are all over the board, depending upon size, materials and whether you build it yourself. Portable models start around $ 50 and go to $ 500 or more. Firepits are hot this fall, say staff members at Bill Kerr’s Fireplaces in Little Rock. They come in many styles and materials including copper, stainless steel and cast aluminum. Some are simply metal bowls sitting atop legs, made to hold a wood fire. Others are built into the center of a round or square coffee table, usually with a rim of stone or mosaic tile wide enough to set down drinks and plates or use as a footrest. Some double as grills or as beverage coolers in summer. Simple ones go for $ 50 to $ 100; most are $ 200 to $ 500 and on up to $ 4, 000.
Some models burn natural or liquid propane gas. Luminarium is among those manufacturing models using a gelled fuel that burns without smoke and ash, and doesn’t require the cleanup of a traditional firepit or fireplace. Priced at $ 1, 000 to $ 2, 000.
Bill Kerr has designed a firepit made of stainable concrete blocks of different shapes that fit solidly together without mortar; that makes it moveable. A custommade stainless steel top fits over the pit when it’s not in use. Price is $ 1, 798. Chimeneas are closely related to portable fireplaces and firepits, at least in their current styles and materials. A traditional chimenea from Mexico is a bulb-shape fireplace made of clay that’s also used to bake bread. Some modern vent-free models are made for indoor-outdoor use. Prices range from $ 65 to $ 600 or more, depending on size, materials and quality. It’s unsafe to use almost all portable fireplaces, firepits and chimenea on wood decks. For those burning wood or charcoal, a safety screen is advisable. Cleanup is easier if there’s a drain hole in the bottom with some sort of ash pan below. Patio heaters warm people and objects, not the surrounding air. At mild temperatures like 65 degrees when there’s no wind, floor models warm people up to 20 feet away; tabletop models reach about eight feet.
The range lessens as temperatures drop or wind picks up. Both types are mushroom shape and heavy enough not to topple easily (around 80 and 20 pounds, respectively ). The Outdoor Leisure company offers a bar-height bistro table with a simulated granite tabletop. Some of the heavy heaters have wheels.
They operate on natural or LP gas, butane or kerosene. Look for safety tilt switches, sealed burners, flame controls, electronic ignitions and emergency cutoff valves. A table around the pole of a floor model is mighty convenient. Styles range from sleek through baroque. Tabletops average under $ 100 to $ 200; floor models from $ 175 to $ 800 or more; the bistro table around $ 350.
OUTDOOR TV Now you can follow the football season and other events in your outdoor space. SunBrite makes two TV models for permanent outdoor use: 20. 1-inch and 32-inch LCDs, the latter HDTV-compatible. An all-weather enclosure protects components from humidity-related corrosion, dirt, rain, insects and scratches, and a watertight cable entry keeps wires dry, also allowing easy hookup with satellite dish, DVD player or antenna. The LCD screen is designed to be clear and visible even in direct sunlight. Internal fan and heating systems keep the unit happy from -24 degrees to 125 degrees. It can be wall- or pole-mounted. Prices for the 20. 1-inch model range from $ 2, 500- $ 3, 000; $ 3, 800-$ 4, 495 for a 32-inch; view www. sunbritetv. com. ThermoSpas has developed an all-weather TV cabinet that includes SunBrite’s 20. 1-inch outdoor TV. The cabinet can stand alone or be attached to a spa. One model has storage space inside; another adds a waterproof stereo radio and CD / DVD player with side mounted speakers. A third has the stereo features plus a mini-refrigerator / wine cooler. A fourth includes a refrigerator and humidor. Prices range from $ 8, 995 to $ 9, 495; view www. thermospas. com.
AMBIENCE Accessories can create a feeling of warmth. Twinkle lights (not those posing as icicles ) or brightly colored lanterns look summery. So do colorful tableware and decorations. Bill Kerr’s offers outdoor art. A patio heater marketed to resorts and restaurants poses as a palm tree. And don’t forget pink plastic or lightup flamingos.
Coming next week: Tips for hiring contractors and repair people.
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