There are different types of patio umbrellas which have different kinds of frames and the umbrella cover is made of different fabrics. We can also choose from a whole range of wicker patio furniture and cushions to be put on the furniture. Different types of outdoor heaters are available to suit the taste and budget of all classes of people. To suit our residential or commercial requirements, a look at the wide range of the outdoor accessories would be helpful.

A search on the Internet will show us the various types of patio umbrellas which are available. There are wooden umbrellas,umbrellas made of aluminium and fibre glass. The kind of umbrella we need will depend on:

·         The size of the patio table

·         The weather conditions of the area

·         Whether for residential area or commercial set-up

·         For pool side or beach side

·         The size of the hole in the table If the umbrella pole has to pass through it.

The wooden, fibre glass and metal umbrella frames and poles can suit almost all patio settings. The wooden frame looks traditional and classic. The wood used is usually teak or Asian hardwoods. The metal and fibre glass frames are better for varying weather conditions. The metal poles and frames are  powder coated, anodized or laminated to protect them from rain or snow. The fibre glass ribs are stronger than the wooden ribs. They can withstand all kinds of weather and do not break easily. For commercial applications, it is better to have umbrellas which do not have the tilting function. One single pole is ideal.

If we want sit outside when it is cold, we would need outdoor heaters. These are generally used for patios, golf courses,decks, restaurants and many more places. There are electric outdoor heaters, natural gas or propane heaters, quartz lamp heaters and infra red heaters. Most of the outdoor heaters have a good safety device and temperature control and are also portable.

Infra red heaters can be put outside if they are shielded from rain. They first heat the floor, then the people and objects and finally the surrounding air is warmed up and there is not much wastage of energy. However, quartz lamp heaters are in a way better as the temperature can be higher and the heat does not get lessened due to strong winds.

The kind of furniture to be put outside would be wicker patio furniture. By wicker we mean the furniture which is woven. The material used for weaving the furniture can be natural or synthetic wicker. In Indonesia a timber called rattan is used for making wicker furniture. This material is sturdy but cannot be if kept in the sun for long. Another material is water hyacinth which is an aquatic plant. Its stems are dried and beautiful  wicker sofas are made with it. The sofas are comfortable and durable but it should be protected from moisture. The furniture can be cleaned with a clean and moist cloth but it should be dried properly otherwise fungus may form and ruin the furniture. We can vacuum the woven areas with a soft brush, Yet another material used for making wicker furniture is Abaca which is a type of banana tree  This also looks good and wonderful intricate patterns are made with its fibre.

Though all the above mentioned wicker furnitures look elegant, maintenance is a little difficult. So people prefer to buy the synthetic wicker patio furniture. The reason is simple. The synthetic wicker furniture like those made of resin, lasts longer and it is weather resistant. Woven around aluminium frames, make them lighter and so, easy to move and aluminium is perhaps the only metal which does not expand due to heat and it is rust proof.

They also look good.

The wicker furniture is incomplete without cushions. It is better to buy the outdoor cushion which dries up fast and the colour also does not fade. We may have wicker cushions for wicker furniture otherwise cushions made up of acrylic fabrics which come in attractive colours and those which have a three to five year warranty for not fading, may be purchased. The polyester filling in the cushions dry up faster than the foam cushions.

While buying all these accessories we should not forget the aesthetic and cost effective factor and carefully select the products of our choice.