Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Choosing Teak Deep Seating Cushions

Almost as important as teak deep seating itself is one of the things that make it what it is, or in other words, its cushions. There are a number of different materials, endless colors and patterns of cushions available, but they all have certain things in common. For one, all outdoor teak deep seating cushions should be waterproof. They should also be resistant to fading, tears, stains and mildew. Many are made with trademarked materials, like Sunbrella fabrics. Another thing about cushions is that they should always be comfortable. You bought cushions to have a softer seat than sitting directly on the unforgiving wood, so if your cushions aren't comfortable, forget about them. With varying amounts of padding, some cushions can be up to 8 inches thick. And cushions aren't just for chairs alone: add them to loungers, ottomans, gliders, teak deep seating sofas and more for peak "ahhh" factor.

Many cushions are filled with foam and polyester. These materials are soft but also waterproof, malleable and won't fall flat. There are also two basic edge construction designs for the cushions. First, a boxed edge is where two seams connect the bottom and top cushions panels, with another piece of fabric material between them. Second, the waterfall edge is a single seam connecting both cushions panels together. There's not much difference between them, and it really does not affect the look of teak deep seating one way or another.

Some of the different materials for the outside of cushions include the following:

Acrylic:

Acrylic cushions are made from solution dyed fibers that are woven together, the end result of which feels very much like canvas. Acrylic linen is very similar, except that it has a looser weave and feels more like soft cloth. Acrylic is designed exclusively for outdoor use, but it is at the same time a comfortable and breathable material. It's easy to clean, soft, and will retain its color intensity for years to come. Acrylic teak deep seating cushions can be cleaned with lukewarm water and soap, while bleach and water can be used to clean off mildew accumulation. The material is also strong enough that you can rinse it off with a hose.

Spun Polyester:

Some cushions are made from 100% polyester which offers a soft fabric feel similar to that of acrylic linen, though sometimes it is referred to as having a silky feel. This fabric is also meant solely for outdoor use, but its open weave design keeps it staying cool and comfortable for you. Once again, these cushions can be cleaned with soap and water, and rinsed off with a hose. You might not get quite as much mileage out of these over the acrylic cushions.

PVC:

PVC is made from a polyester core covered with colored PVC and then woven into fabric. On the one hand, this outdoor material is extremely durable and will hold up under heat, stain, sun exposure and abrasion. On the other hand, it's a much stiffer material, whose smooth plastic touch mimics more plastic outdoor furniture rather than the comfort of indoor furniture. At the same time, this makes it really easy to clean because you can be a little rougher on it. Household cleaners, rubbing alcohol and diluted bleach can be applied and then rinsed off with a hose. As a warning, suntan lotion and other oily substances exposed to PVC teak deep seating cushions will cause the material to break down faster, so make sure to wipe off any that has come in contact with it.

Tonya Kerniva is an experienced research and freelance writing professional. She writes actively about Teak Deep Seating and Teak Outdoor Furniture

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tonya_Kerniva

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