Artificial rattan: what is it made of, what types are there?

Rattan furniture has been popular for centuries. Armchairs and sofas of openwork weaving have always been considered the privilege of aristocrats and cost crazy amounts of money. With the development of international trade, wicker furniture became available to the masses. And thanks to technological progress, polyrattan products have also appeared on the market.

In this article we will compare two materials according to the main parameters and help you figure out which is better: artificial or natural rattan.

So, let's begin:

Artificial rattan weaving.

The weaving process itself is very interesting and creative, captivating from the first minutes, but at the same time it is painstaking and time-consuming work.

It will take a lot of patience and time to learn all the intricacies of this difficult work.

Learn to overcome difficulties that may arise in the process of rattan weaving.

Weaving will teach you to plan your time, teach you slowness, perseverance and order of thoughts.

In this process, of course, artificial rattan is most often used. This material is easy to buy online; you don’t need to bother with harvesting technology and preparation for weaving, as with natural rattan or willow twigs. This is why rattan weaving has become such a popular activity.

This is a synthetic material made as close to natural as possible. But it is much stronger and its footage significantly exceeds the length of natural rattan vine.

Therefore, even a large product can be woven without a single joint, which will add aesthetics and reliability to the entire product.

It is convenient to work with artificial rattan because of its flexibility, but it is better to work with gloves to avoid damaging your hands. In addition, artificial rattan has a number of advantages.

Varieties

When making chairs, the technique of macrame, weaving or cover is usually used.

• The macrame technique is the most airy. The variety of color palette of threads gives you the opportunity to choose any complex color, and the options for fabric density are wider than you might imagine.
• The weaving technique can also be airy, but rods and threads cannot be compared.
• The chair-cover has a quite dense appearance. The double fabric base is stuffed with padding polyester, the frame adds shape, only the manner of placement is preserved.

There are also frameless models; their structure is more reminiscent of a hammock. They use dense rope instead of solid guides.

Mounting method

According to the method of fastening, there are, as mentioned earlier, 2 types of chairs.

• A hanging chair is attached to a beam or ceiling. Their slings are made of chains or dense ropes. They can easily be used instead of swings. Such models are not suitable for rooms with a suspended ceiling, and due to the fastening, the chair will remain in this place until the next repair.
• The model on a stand can be moved according to your wishes, but it takes up more space. Looks good in a large room or due to a narrow seat.

Frame for wicker furniture.

The frame for natural rattan furniture is rattan itself, but denser and thicker stems are chosen. To ensure rigidity and reliability of the entire structure.

The frame for artificial rattan wicker furniture is mainly cast aluminum. Which gives the product lightness and strength. If you have an old chair lying around at your dacha, do not rush to throw it away. It is perfect for the frame of wicker furniture made of artificial rattan.

A wooden frame is suitable for weaving an ottoman.

Selection of materials for decoration that matches the style of the garden

The advantage of this design is the ability to add or remove the required number of desired devices. But as soon as it starts to rain, you need to quickly collect and hide all the pillows, bedding and bedspreads.

In which zone should the hanging chair be placed?

When choosing a place for a chair in the garden, you should think about what time of day you will spend more time in it

This is especially important for a permanent installation, because with removable fastenings you can move the chair to any part of the site. If most of the time for relaxation occurs in the first half of the day, then it is better to hang the chair on the east side and admire the landscape, which is located in the west

It is with this ratio that the viewer sees the illuminated side, and the shadow directed to the northwest does not interfere with the view.

When resting in the afternoon or evening, it is important to hide in the shade from the scorching sun. Then it is better to place the chair on the western side near a tall object, for example near a house or a fence, and the shadow from them will protect from the sun's rays

From this position it is good to view the beautiful landscape located in the east of the site, because the viewer sees its illuminated side.

Safety and reliability of fastening

Regardless of the design of the chair, it is better to provide a separate reliable support for hanging it. Types of installation of hanging chairs and requirements for them:

In addition, when making a homemade chair or purchasing a ready-made chair, you need to make sure the strength and reliability of the hanging belts or cords.

Do-it-yourself wicker rattan furniture.

First you need to determine the product model and prepare the appropriate frame. If this is future furniture, then it is necessary to prepare a drawing and weld the structure.

Determine the color of the rattan you are going to weave from. Choose a drawing.

Prepare the accompanying tool and be patient.

To weave, for example, a chair will take from several days to several weeks. It all depends on your skill level and free time.

Also not unimportant is the level of complexity of the model.

If you are a beginner and just want to try yourself in this matter, then I recommend taking some simple product first: a flower pot or a basket. In this case, you will not need to use a special tool: a stapler, staples, a soldering iron, or a small hammer.

For example, to weave flowerpots you will need:

1. one 12 liter plastic bucket.
2. artificial rattan approximately 1 kilogram.
3. pliers with sharpened edge.
4. special spatula.
5. drill, drill (the diameter of the drill is determined by the width of the rattan).

For comparison: it will take more than 10 kilograms of artificial rattan to weave a sufficiently large sofa. The chair will require about 2 kilograms of rattan.

The entire weaving process is absolutely manual, so each model is a unique and original work of the master.

Even in manufacturing factories, this process is entirely manual.

Rattan wicker furniture can be elite or a more country-style option, this will determine the pricing policy of ready-made sets.

Natural rattan

What is this?

Definition, Wikipedia: Rattan (obsolete Spanish reed, “devil's rope”) is a material that is the peeled and dried stems of the calamus, or rattan palm (Calamus rotang), a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia.

This is a plant with “climbing” vine stems that reach towards the light and capture every free piece of terrain. The length of these stems sometimes reaches 300 meters. Local residents have long learned to use this plant material for their benefit. Rattan is used to make sheds, houses, household items and, of course, furniture.

Nowadays, vines are grown on special rattan plantations, and not only in the Asian tropics. But the best raw materials are produced in Indonesia and Malaysia, due to the unique climatic conditions. And the most skilled craftsmen live there. It just so happened historically that the art of weaving in these countries is passed on from generation to generation.

What's good?

1. Environmental friendliness. The natural origin of natural rattan indicates its unconditional environmental purity.
2. Strength. Despite its apparent fragility, the material is quite strong. For example, the chair can withstand a load of up to 100 kg.
3. Ease. The products are lightweight and allow you to move them without much effort. An excellent option for a country house or cottage. In good weather, you can easily take the furniture out onto the veranda and bask in comfort under the warm sun.
4. Durability. With proper care, it retains its impeccable appearance for up to 20 years.
5. Care. It is necessary to follow a number of simple rules that apply to all wooden products.

Sets made of natural rattan

Here are some basic recommendations:

• Do not water excessively; the furniture may swell and become deformed. Of course, nothing will happen just once. But if you keep watering it on a regular basis, it will eventually happen.
• Do not use household chemicals to remove dirt. Problem areas can be rubbed with a soft brush dipped in soapy water. The only condition is to wipe it dry after treatment.
• Store in a dry, warm place. Do not install near heating appliances, the furniture will dry out and crack. Do not leave it outdoors, especially in winter. Favorable temperature for preservation is from -2 to 40C°.

Read more in the article: How to care for natural rattan furniture.

Rattan weaving. Patterns.

Weaving patterns are varied, but the main ones are:

1. Rhombus. It is mainly used for weaving smooth, continuous surfaces.
2. Star. More lacy, airy weaving looks beautiful on the side surfaces of chairs, armchairs, and sofas.
3. Simple continuous weave. A fairly strong, even weave is used for surfaces under load: seats of chairs, sofas, armchairs, etc.
4. Christmas tree. One of the varieties of continuous weaving. The purpose is universal.

Coloring

Rolled newspaper tubes contain printed elements. If you start weaving right away, the product will not have a beautiful finished look. Therefore, the working material should be painted beforehand.

You can also color the finished product. But painting the joints of layers and all the work from the inside is very inconvenient. It will take too long. It is much more rational to paint the working material in advance.

To do this, take a tray, pour a thin layer of paint, put a dozen or more tubes (a handful) at once and roll them over the surface of the paint. This must be done quickly so that the paper does not have time to get wet and lose its shape.

Dry the tubes horizontally on supports or in a vertical position by placing them in a container of suitable size (jar, glass, etc.).

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Safety precautions when weaving rattan.

1. Prepare a work space: a table if you are going to weave small items. Take care of the cleanliness of the surface: remove everything unnecessary so that nothing at hand interferes with the work.
2. If you plan to start weaving more bulky items, then you need to find a free space: a room or a garage. Some skeins of rattan for weaving will need to be cut about 15 meters (approximately). Working with such a tape in a cramped room is very inconvenient and unsafe for others.
3. Always wear gloves to reduce hand injuries. Rattan is hard.
4. It is advisable to protect your eyes with special glasses. Due to its rigidity and long ribbons, it can spring back into the eye.
5. It is also necessary to observe safety precautions if you work with a welding machine. Here, even more so, you can’t do without a separate room.

Be very careful, take care of yourself and those around you.

To summarize: taking into account all the nuances, rattan weaving itself will captivate and inspire you.

Many choose this craft as a hobby, and some as a profession.

If you decide to purchase a finished product, you can read the article here: Buy artificial rattan.

Good luck with your choice!

Peculiarities

The design of the cocoon swing is something between a hammock and a rocking chair. But thanks to improvements, this furniture is more comfortable, practical and functional.

Its distinctive features are high side walls that hide the interior space. It has a lot of advantages.

In addition to its aesthetic appearance, you can relax in a swing, wrapping your feet in a blanket on a cool evening. Some people like to work in a soft and cozy product, taking with them a table with a laptop. Since the features of its design allow you to retire and escape from the bustle of the city, getting into a working mood.

The distinctive features of the cocoon chair include:

• Exclusivity. Such a piece of furniture will harmoniously fit into the interior of a nursery, bedroom and even living room.
• Uniqueness. Custom manufacturing opens up endless possibilities for users. The products come in different sizes, designs and shapes.
• Ease of use. This furniture is suitable for evening relaxation and wonderful rest.

Attention: installing a suspended product in a room with suspended or plasterboard ceilings will be problematic. To install it, you will need to leave space in such a structure in advance.

Cleaning products

All cleaning products are divided into three large groups:

Gentle ones are made independently, at home. The material for them is either natural ingredients or cosmetic hygiene products. The most famous option is lemon water. To make such a cleaning mixture you will need a liter jar of water and half a lemon. Cooking method:

• boil water
• let it cool for five minutes,
• lightly press the lemon and place it in a container of water,
• after half an hour, pour into a glass or enamel container,
• let it brew for at least 6 hours.

Advice: it is best to prepare it before bed, then the infusion will be ready in the morning.

Simply squeezing lemon into water is not enough, since the most useful microelements are contained in the bark and are released only naturally.

This mixture is used to treat all types of wicker furniture, except for synthetic and soft elements.

Another mixture is prepared from liquid hand soap or shampoo (it is better to use shampoo). For one liter you will need a tablespoon of soap.

Restorative agents include polishes. They are:

Aerosol polishes are not always cheaper, but they are significantly inferior in quality to cream polishes.

The properties of polishes follow directly from the name. They polish furniture and fill microcracks, creating an even protective coating. The most important part of a quality polish is the base. The basics are divided into:

It is preferable to choose wax-based polishes, as they create a better quality coating. In addition, an important element of any polish is antistatic. These components repel dust and small particles of dirt. As a result, the surface remains clean longer.

The most famous companies producing polishes:

• Pronto (the most famous manufacturer with the widest range of products and affordable prices, country of origin: Holland),
• Rustin's (the Danes are only slightly inferior to their neighbors, the main focus is on creamy oil polishes),
• Mebelux (Russian manufacturer, products are represented mainly by aerosol polishes, inferior in quality to competitors),
• Emsal (German product, characterized by standard quality and a fairly high price).

Polishes are used after initial cleaning with detergents.

Chemical cleaners destroy the texture of wood and wicker, so they are only suitable for washing synthetic surfaces. There is no fundamental difference in the choice; it is desirable that the drug contains alcohol and antistatic agents. Alcohol dissolves fat and the surface begins to shine. Any glass cleaner is suitable.

In addition to this, there are several other building materials that are used to refurbish wicker furniture. We are talking about hydrovarnishes. They are practically odorless and dry quickly. Their use is only advisable if the surface is severely damaged.

An important point and the means by which care is carried out. For this work, you will need a flannelette or pure cotton cloth; a regular sponge will also work. Any other options will scratch the surface.

Step-by-step instructions for starting a production workshop

Opening a production facility is not difficult. It will take about a month and several steps:

1. Create a clear business plan with forecasts and revenues.
2. Establish preliminary supply channels.
3. Look for a suitable premises and sign a lease agreement.
4. Purchase an extruder line.
5. Register an individual entrepreneur. The appropriate tax regime is the simplified tax system “Income”.
6. Hire one or two extruder operators.
7. Purchase raw materials for production.
8. Conclude agreements with those to whom you will supply finished products.

After this you can start working. According to those who have already tried out the business idea, production quickly begins to make a profit.

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