Wicker and Rattan Cane you tell the difference A quick guide to materials
We’ve all done it- used, perused, and even bought furniture without much clue what it’s made of. With conservatory and garden furniture it’s even more confusing: terms like ‘wicker’, ‘cane’ and ‘rattan’ are all used, sometimes interchangeably, with little public awareness of what they actually mean. Did you know, for instance, that some of these terms describe plants, and others the processes they undergo? Never fear, this guide will explain the vital differences between materials, telling you all you need to know when buying this type of furniture.
Rattan is the only one of the three whose name actually refers to the plant it comes from. The rattan vine is a type of climbing plant found in tropical regions, and a relative of the better known palm tree. Rattan plants grow long straight stems which are stripped of thorns and bark to produce the smooth elegant poles we see in rattan furniture. Steam is applied to the rattan stems to make them pliant, so they can be moulded into the desired shape. Rattan furniture remains popular as the fast growth of the plant ensures that it is relatively cheap and environmentally sustainable.
Wicker shares these qualities with rattan, because it is simply made by slicing rattan stems lengthways to produce thinner strands, which are then woven together in close knit patterns to create the furniture or baskets we traditionally think of. This method produces sturdy furnishings, but as wicker is very porous it is therefore only suitable for use outdoors if it has been properly waterproofed and treated.
Cane, by contrast, is not always made of rattan, although it can be. Cane can also be made out of similar tall grasses like reed or bamboo. Like wicker, cane is best thought of as a processed part of a plant, rather than the plant itself. The bark or skin, which is removed from rattan during the manufacturing process, becomes the vital ingredient of cane. This skin is wound and secured around the solid hardwood poles which form the frame of furniture. This is done because the skin is prized for its mottled pattern. Cane is not solid, unlike rattan, so often lends itself to lighter and more delicate designs. It is highly repellent to stains and easy to wipe down, making it a good choice for families.
For more information please visit Home Life
Rattan is the only one of the three whose name actually refers to the plant it comes from. The rattan vine is a type of climbing plant found in tropical regions, and a relative of the better known palm tree. Rattan plants grow long straight stems which are stripped of thorns and bark to produce the smooth elegant poles we see in rattan furniture. Steam is applied to the rattan stems to make them pliant, so they can be moulded into the desired shape. Rattan furniture remains popular as the fast growth of the plant ensures that it is relatively cheap and environmentally sustainable.
Wicker shares these qualities with rattan, because it is simply made by slicing rattan stems lengthways to produce thinner strands, which are then woven together in close knit patterns to create the furniture or baskets we traditionally think of. This method produces sturdy furnishings, but as wicker is very porous it is therefore only suitable for use outdoors if it has been properly waterproofed and treated.
Cane, by contrast, is not always made of rattan, although it can be. Cane can also be made out of similar tall grasses like reed or bamboo. Like wicker, cane is best thought of as a processed part of a plant, rather than the plant itself. The bark or skin, which is removed from rattan during the manufacturing process, becomes the vital ingredient of cane. This skin is wound and secured around the solid hardwood poles which form the frame of furniture. This is done because the skin is prized for its mottled pattern. Cane is not solid, unlike rattan, so often lends itself to lighter and more delicate designs. It is highly repellent to stains and easy to wipe down, making it a good choice for families.
For more information please visit Home Life
Posted by : IgnitionPG
@ Oct 04, 2011
