Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Maintenance-free plastic outdoor furniture comes in funky and fabulous colors and designs to suit almost any decor. From PVC-constructed tables to dollar store stackable chairs and upscale ultra modern ensembles, polymer is queen of the exterior furnishings industry. Unbeatable for its versatility, water-resistance and portability, plastic reigns supreme when it comes to outdoor porch furniture. From Appalachia to Alaska and Acapulco to Asia, acrylic chairs, chaises, and tables are a household staple and widely used for exterior seating. And they're cheap, too! A typical patio set costs less than $50 at most discount stores. Families, college students, apartment dwellers, and campers are fascinated with this highly adaptable accessory that goes from indoors to out without skipping a beat! Waterproof plastic furniture is virtually indestructible and a perfect choice for quiet gatherings or family reunions. And thermoplastics can take the summer heat without cracking or peeling. Moms don't have to worry about little sticky fingers, spills, or stains with durable pieces that clean up easy with a damp cloth or mild dish detergent.

Because of its durability and inability to break down, plastics have earned a bad reputation for endangering the environment. Landfills are full of discarded products that emit toxic fumes if burned, or chemicals and gases which linger in the environment to harm humans and animals. But man has a moral obligation to protect the earth: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:26). Since the late 1990s, manufacturers have attempted to address environmental concerns by recycling, re-melting, and reusing milk jugs; thereby clearing landfills of a portion of toxic waste. Recycling processes produce thermoplastic "lumber," or sheets which can be cut or formed using injection molding to make new plastic outdoor furniture. Once recycled pieces are formed, they are sanded and bathed in a coating of polymer coloring to help fix a protective finish to each piece. The process helps keep outdoor furniture from stains, scratches, and cracks from extreme temperatures.

From outdoor porch furniture to poolside chaises and backyard picnic tables, recycled pieces can mimic almost any kind of furnishings that can be constructed of metal or wood. Thermoplastic sheets are cut according to patterns or injected into molds to form rockers, Adirondack chairs, kiddy table and chair sets, patio ensembles, or versatile stacking chairs. Although totally waterproof, acrylics have a tendency to fade if left in strong sunlight and may absorb stains from certain dyes. For decades, damaged goods could only be covered with cloths or discarded. However, in the last few years, paint manufacturers have developed an acrylic spray paint in several different colors that adheres to thermoplastics much in the same way paint adheres to metal. Manufacturers' instructions claim that acrylic paint can be applied to faded pieces with minimal sanding or prepping. Once the pieces are allowed to air dry, they are good as new again.

Because of its malleability, interior designers love thermoplastics and polymers as creative media. In the 70s and 80s, acrylic furnishings were all the rage. Stacking cube tables, interlocking book shelves, and lawn chairs provided economical furnishings for college dorms, apartments, vacation homes and campgrounds. Today's custom exterior seating designers exploit this amazingly flexible medium to form space age plastic outdoor furniture designs that rival the most expensive upscale selections. Form follows function with minimalist chaise lounges, slings, modular chairs and sofas, tables, and accessories used as outdoor porch furniture. Polymers in a vibrant color palette can be used to furnish outdoor playgrounds and snack areas for kids; or provide extra employee seating at corporations or businesses. Other commercial uses include seating for employee patios and picnic areas, college and middle grades exterior lunch rooms, and rest stops for walking trails in parks and at the beach. Acrylic furnishings are great for health spas and resorts. Owners can place pieces near sand and sea, in saunas, massage rooms, or in dressing areas. Simply spray each piece with disinfectant, wipe down, and the next patron has a clean, smooth, comfortable place to relax and unwind.

Cyberspace shops and local retail and discount stores stock a good deal of acrylics, especially during the spring and summer months. The affordability of plastic outdoor furniture for interior and exterior spaces makes it a best seller. In middle class America, it is not uncommon to see polymer chairs not only in backyards, but on front porches, patios, at the beach, in campgrounds, and at sporting events. Tailgaters love the portability of chairs and tables for quickly setting up alfresco dining for football fans. Campers don't have to worry about easy-clean pieces that can withstand the dirt and grime of the great outdoors. Pieces can be hosed down with water and easily loaded with the rest of the camping gear for the trip home. Hospitals, personal care homes, physical therapy facilities, and recreation centers all use polymer seating for patients and residents, especially outdoors. Durable acrylic chairs can be disinfected between uses to disinfect between each patient or resident's use.

The future for polymers as a material for indoor use as well as outdoor porch furniture, patio furnishings, and recreational use is bright. The popularity of thermoplastics continues to soar as individuals and companies explore more ways to put inexpensive accessories to use. The durability, malleability, affordability, and portability of plastic outdoor furniture make it a prime choice for almost any exterior application in nearly every industry and sector of the population. As technology perfects production and recycling processes to lessen the chance of dangerous toxins and gases leaching into the environment, thermoplastics will also continue to gain popularity as a creative media for designers and manufacturers.

Add to: File Insurance Business article Teen Photo Images