Kitchens by Riland

Some of the best family quality time can be spent outdoors on the patio or in your yard or garden. It is a totally different experience than being cooped up in the house, and all family members love to have an outdoor setting for an occasional dinner or barbeque. If you fall in this category of people then you should invest in a good outdoor dining table. Having an outdoor dining table, you can look forward to some entertaining evenings with friends and family.

The outdoor dining table will be exposed to the elements, and so the obvious thing to consider while purchasing one, is how resistant it is to different weather conditions. The table will be in direct sunlight, and will have to withstand water, wind and dust. You need to choose the ideal material which will be durable and be able to withstand all these elements.

Outdoor dining tables are available in aluminum, wicker, wood, wrought iron and molded plastic. An outdoor dining table made of aluminum will not rust and is practically weather proof. Although it does not have much to offer in terms of looks, it is a practical table which can last for a long time. Being a light metal, the aluminum outdoor dining table can be moved around easily and you can set it in different locations on your patio or garden. There are certain models available which are also foldable and so you can pack it in your garage when the weather is bad and you are not going to use it.

Outdoor dining table made of wicker and rattan has a classic look, and available in various colors. These tables gather dust and will have to be wiped frequently and they can also be washed with detergent. Wooden outdoor dining table is another favorite as it goes well with the outdoor setting. Usually woods like cedar, pine, teak and Cyprus are used to make outdoor furniture as they are more resistant to water. These tables will need much more care and you might have to apply protective coatings to prevent pests and sun-fading.

Outdoor dining table made from wrought iron comes in a variety of intricate designs and this is another material which goes well in an outdoor setting. One of the drawbacks of wrought iron is that it is very heavy and you will need team effort to move the table around. The second factor is maintenance, and it needs a regular coat of paint every year and other minor patch ups.