All about wicker
How and when wicker went weatherproof
BY MAUREEN GILMER DIY Network

After the war, aluminum aircraft manufacturers retooled to furnish the Baby Boom with folding lawn furniture.

This all-American creation of woven plastic on a lightweight metal frame replaced its age old predecessor, rattan.

What rose to fame on Victorian porches is woven out of vines harvested from the jungles of Indonesia. As a natural fiber product it was easily bent into fanciful forms that appealed to the Victorian love of decoration.

This woven furniture, dubbed wicker, could take on virtually any shape and grew more comfortable with time. When used outdoors it was never too hot or too cold to sit on, nor did it splinter.

But wicker has one great weakness, it's vulnerable to weather damage. When left out in the elements its lifespan is severely limited. That's why there are so few outdoor

about antiques around today. Weather damage explains why the furniture was so often painted to cover up repairs, discoloration and other materials used to tighten a failing weave.

Sometime in the last decade there was a great melding in outdoor furniture design. Perhaps you could better call it a love affair. The aluminum and plastic chairs of the post war era married the beauty and comfort of wicker. This resulted in a wholly new generation of furniture known as synthetic "weatherproof wicker."

This new creation shares the best qualities of both families. The furniture reflects the same old fashioned designs as rattan with the longevity of sleek space age materials.

Weatherproof plastic cordage is nearly identical to rattan, woven around a rigid metal frame. It results in a union aircraft tough and soft as its romantic Victorian parent.

Quality all weather wicker utilizes top grade materials. Plastic and resin composites share a vulnerability to breakdown under prolonged exposure to sunlight. Extremes of heat and subfreezing temperatures can also cause the cordage to become brittle.

Name brand all weather wicker utilizes specially formulated UV resistant plastics to create their woven lawn furniture. Although more expensive, you can expect it to not only hold up, but look great for many years to come.

All weather wicker can be crafted into virtually any style, the cordage round, flat or textured to provide greater freedom with design. Some massive pieces rival style and comfort of American living room couch or easy chair. Other designs are small, far less expensive and more portable. They do not always need pillows but many designs lend themselves to attractive cushions that add color and pattern to a grouping.

For the traditional garden, Victorian wicker styles are the

wicker ideal choice with their deco rative weaves, open lattice and color accents. These are sold everywhere from home improvement chains to the super market. But the highly detailed look may also loosen easily with low end product just like its wicker parent. Therefore be aware that you get what you pay for. Cheap construction can suffer unraveling, or the plastics used will not be UV resistant and break down in a short time.

Sleek, modern weatherproof wicker is one of the best choices for gardens. Simple lines, thick cushions plus a wide range of color and texture offers plenty of selection.

The adaptability of this material allows truly graphic forms that in themselves

wicker become a functional work of art. Its light weight is a problem solver for roof gardens, balconies and urban decks. Units can be hand carried in and out for the season with little effort.

To see just how versatile and beautiful weatherproof wicker can be, check out the full range of options at Wicker Warehouse at http://www.wickerwarehouse.c om.

They sell seating collections, dining sets, sofas, love seats, chaise lounges and many accessory pieces for the well furnished outdoor living space. Browse their pages for ideas, then buy local or online to find the perfect match for your style. Only here in America did aircraft aluminum and recycled plastics get caught up in a wartime marriage that gave birth to baby boom of new old fashioned American furniture.

Maureen Gilmer is a horticulturist and host of 'Weekend Gardening' on DIY Network. Contact her at her Web site www.moplants.com or visit www.diynetwork.com.