By Benjamin Amirault
Correspondent
April 15, 2008 03:00 am Outdoor furniture has come a long way from the white plastic and foldable lawn chairs that many remember from summers past. Backyards are looking more like living rooms these days. "A lot of people think of those white plastic chairs when they hear outdoor furniture," said Glenn Curti, owner of Casual Furniture Outlet in Ipswich. "That's like saying there is only one type of car, and it's a Ford Pinto." Curti said the variety of materials and woods available to adorn your back nine has grow a lot in the last five years, especially in the way of wicker materials. According to Curti, the woven wood style has always been a favorite among outdoor furnishers. In the past, wicker furniture was made primarily out of rattan, a vine-like plant similar to bamboo, but in the last five years, plastics and vinyl are taking off as more resistant options. The vinyl wicker is much more water resistant and can take a beating. Curti proved this when he kicked one of the vinyl chairs in the store. "The only thing that will ruin this is if you take a knife to it," he said. The high-end pieces can take all sorts of punishment whether it be from nature or children. Curti said parents shouldn't worry about kids ruining the cushions found on many of the pieces. Simply hosing off the furniture should take care of any abuse. Quality doesn't come cheap. Some of the items cost several hundred dollars, and entire sets, with chairs, sofa and a coffee table, can run more than $1,000. Some might say that is a lot of money to pay for furniture that can only be used for half the year at best. Curti pointed out that many people spend the same amount on living rooms and dining rooms that are only used once or twice a year. According to Curti, more and more people are investing good money in their backyards because gas prices have made travel more expensive. Instead of renting a house on Cape Cod and driving three hours to get there, people are making resorts out of their own homes. "The drive to your backyard is a lot cheaper than the drive to the Cape," Curti said. Some outdoor furniture is made in a way that's friendly to the environment. Envirowood products are made from recycled high density polyethylene, a material commonly used to make milk jugs. They are a breeze to clean because they take on no moisture, and their paint will never fade. Curti pointed out an Envirowood chair he said has been sitting outside the store for more than seven years straight. "It still looks brand-new," Curti said. "I keep it out here to show people."
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Photos
Owner Glenn Curti said this couch and chair set has been outside Casual Furniture Outlet in Ipswich for years. Even after getting snow and sand dumped on it each winter the piece looks like new. Staff photo