Outdoor Rattan Furniture: A Buyer's Guide
By Jason Harris
The outdoor rattan market is simply exploding. Not only are there new designs, but new colors and patterns as well -- and every day there is another company springing up that sells this wonderful stuff.

First things first: Just what is rattan? Well, rattan is actually a natural product - a plant fiber, mostly grown in Asia and India - where the moist, humid conditions are conducive to it's growth. Rattan is different from bamboo. Bamboo is hollow inside, whereas rattan is a solid stalk. In addition, rattan is much more flexible than bamboo - which allows the manufacturer to shape the plant fibers into very useful designs.

The rattan grower, as mentioned above, grows the rattan in tropical areas. They will harvest the plants at the right time and cut the stalks down to the right length for use in furniture. Rattan can become infested with a fungus that can discolor and eventually destroy the plant fibers. Reputable harvesters will treat their rattan plants with chemicals to prevent this from happening, but less reputable companies will not do it, or do it properly -- as a result, the rattan can develop these problems later.

This leads me to my first recommendation: unless you consider yourself an expert on the subject, make sure that you buy your outdoor rattan from a reliable dealer. If you don't you may invest your hard-earned money on junk that will just not last, or look its best.

Outdoor rattan is made from natural, organic products -- so make sure that you do not leave your sitting in the middle of standing pools of water. Eventually this water can become absorbed through the rattan fibers, and it will cause the rattan to swell, with gaps appearing in the woven fibers.

How do you maintain your outdoor rattan furniture? Well, it's very easy: just clean with a vacuum cleaner, or a soft cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. If your rattan gets wet, you should allow it to dry thoroughly - and make sure that your is completely dry before you store it away for the winter.

If your outdoor rattan requires more care, you can entrust it to a restoration specialist. If rough spots appear on your furniture, you can take care of these yourself if you like: just

sand the area lightly and then apply a good finish or varnish. If more extensive work needs done - if the frame is cracked, or the weaving needs repaired - you should contact your restorer.

When it is properly cared for, your outdoor rattan will last for many years. Rattan is a quality material for any outdoor item. It is cool, requires but little maintenance, and is lightweight. For all of its cost, it is truly a great value in outdoor furniture!

About the author: Jason Harris talks about home repair and Outdoor Wicker Furniture Learn all aboutwicker chair cushions by visiting his home and garden site.
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