Plastic Applied To The Picnic Table?
|
There are many styles of picnic tables on the market, but what kind of material is best for durability and safety? Powder coating has been an accepted coated finish for years and there are several reasons why. The coating look great, you can have most any color you want, they are friendly to the environment and efficient to produce. The powder is applied in liquid form so it goes on similar to painting. If you need to have flexibility and strength against impacts, this type of finish would no be the best. Some type of PVC coating is the finish of choice when flexibility is key.
A picnic table is a good example of needing strength and durability. These are left out in the elements probably all year. The corrosion from acid rain is only one issue faced by furniture left outdoors. Powder coating is safer for kids and adults because there is no chance of getting slivers you know where when sliding across the picnic bench. Parks and Recreation departments can't take in the picnic tables every year so they are left outside. A consumer just leaves their picnic table outdoors because they are so heavy to haul into storage. Some set them up on their sides so the snow won't accumulate on top, but they are still left exposed to the elements.
PVC coatings aren't as environmentally friendly and the odor upon application is really strong. Some PVC coatings aren't allowed into European countries which is also a problem when you are trying to sell your picnic tables or patio furniture in other countries. Thermoplastic coating is a good alternative to the PVC. It meets all the requirements demanded for the elements, and it is cleaner and healthier for the environment. These new coatings can also be shipped anywhere so your market isn't limited. These new finishes also can be applied at a lower cost. That is music to the ear of any manufacturer. The product seems to last longer and the customers love it.
This coating can be applied in one layer instead of the traditional 3 layers so scratches just blend in and the application is half as thick as the old coating. The material itself is more expensive, but less is more in this case. The thermoplastic also weights less also decreasing the cost. This type of coating application is easy to maintain when it comes to quality control. That is a crucial element in manufacturing.
You will have unhappy clients and customers if there is no consistency to your products.
Another feature of the thermoplastic is that it can be reheated. This is a huge cost savings because there never has to be a rejected piece of patio furniture. If the finish does not meet quality control standards, just reheat it, melt off the plastic and go again. This also promotes other applications as well other than the patio furniture industry. The automotive industry has used this technology in car parts as well.
As the research is done on other coatings and applications, there is always a better more durable product just around the corner.
Bev Hlavka is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying patio furniture, gas grills, picnic tables and more.
Her many articles can be found at http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com/Picnic%20Tables.htm.
She gives information and tips at http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com/index.htm to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.
|
|
|
Basement Dehumidifiers
Basements are the most common location for dehumidifiers. Because of their low elevation and lack of air circulation, the air can moisten and stay moist for a long period of time. This causes mold and mildew to build up, which is not only an unpleasant smell, but also an unhealthy problem ? especially for people who have certain allergies.Consider getting a dehumidifier. One of these units can wring all the moisture from the air in almost any size basement (although some larger basements might require two humidifiers.)Choosing Your DehumidifierSome dehumidifiers feature a hygrometer, which measures room humidity. The hygrometer then sends a signal to the humidistat (also known as a hygrostat), which turns the comp...(related: Home Improvement)
How To Install A New Toilet In 5 Easy Steps
If your toilet is old and in need of repairs, it is cheaper to replace it by installing a new one. This is quite easy to do and can be completed in an afternoon. However, if you plan to install a toilet in a new location, you will have to extend supply pipes and drainpipes to the desired spot, a job you may want to leave to a plumbing contractor.Most toilets are sold with the necessary gaskets, washers, and hardware for fitting the tank to the bowl. However you might need to buy a few parts. Here is a list of what you need to complete this task:Parts: T...(related: Home Improvement)
Roller Blinds
What is behind the popularity of roller blinds. Is it because they are the value for money window treatment or is there anything else in it. There is not doubt they do provide a cheap and efficient way of blocking out the light and the heat that's comes with the light. Also the glare can s...(related: Home Improvement)
Sump Pump Installation For Do-it-yourselfers
According to recent surveys, over 85% of all homes with basements will experience some form of wet basement problems in their lifetime. Installing a sump pump in the basement can be a great benefit, even if it's only to keep the water from getting deep or to act as a floor drain.What To BuySump pumps are generally sold according to the horsepower rating of the pump motor. You will see ¼ horsepower, 1/3 horsepower and ½ horsepower pumps available. Although the horsepower of the pump is a good "yardstick" to use in judging which size pump to buy, a more accurate way is to look at the GPH or, Gallons Per H...(related: Home Improvement)
When Is It Time To Call The Professional?
For most Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home project managers, the most difficult decision is to know when to ...(related: Home Improvement)
Tips On Ladder Safety
PLACEMENT?Ladders should be placed so each side rail is on level and firm footing so the ladder is rigid, stable and secure.
?Boxes, loose bricks, or other loose packing should not support the side rails.
?No ladder should be placed in front of a door opening towards the ladder.
?The correct angle for a freestanding ladder is 4 to 1. For every 4 lengths u...(related: Home Improvement)
Planning Permission Tips Uk - Conservatories - Dispelling A Myth
It's now well into the new year and the residential development scene has got off to a good start again. All this talk about 'slow down' certainly hasn't affected peoples desire to improve rather than move. Building Design Agents are often the first barometer within the building trade of any ups or downs in trends and I certainly haven't noticed any lessening of work.Conservatories - lets get it straight once & for all - If you were to ask 10 home owners about the Planning requirements for a conservatory I guarantee 8 out of the 10 would say 'Conservatories don't nee...(related: Home Improvement)
Deck Decorating
On my blog, I once wrote about life on the Veranda - a favorite Southern, summer pastime.Picture a Charleston side-porch house, facing the obligatory magnolia tree, refreshing gin and tonics or the standard mint julep.But Veranda living is more than just a sense of "place". What really makes it memorable is the company of friends and neighbors, sparkling conversation, or a languid repose with a loved one.A deck may not technically be a Veranda, but it can, nevertheless, be the perfect gathering spot where memories are made.The key, however, to great deck entertaining is to have a great deck. Many people don't...(related: Home Improvement)
Lighting And Your Kitchen - How To Design A Lighting Plan That Cooks!
Your kitchen, more than any other room in your home, needs a good well thought out lighting plan. Today's kitchens have many more functions than just cooking a meal. For many families it is the most frequently used room in the house. Besides the obvious preparation of meals, kitchens today are also a place for the kids to do homework, parents to pay the bills, reading, eating and watching TV. For this reason it is important that the light not only be adequate but flexible.The first place to start in any room when devising a lighting plan is to address general lighting. This is the light that will be u...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Home Improvement