FAQ

FAQ

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR OUTDOOR FURNITURE IN NZ

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR FURNITURE

Please view our very detailed individual pages focused on each material type

Information on Teak Outdoor Furniture Care

Information on Outdoor Concrete Furniture Care

Information on Stainless Steel Outdoor Furniture Care

Information on Plastic Cafe Chair Range Care

Information on Sunbrella® Outdoor Fabric Care

Information on Wicker Outdoor Furniture Care

Information on Outdoor Rope Furniture Care

Information on Batyline® Mesh Outdoor Furniture Care

Information on Reclaimed Teak Outdoor Furniture Care

Information on Aluminum Furniture Care

Information on Gel Coated Fiberglass Furniture Care

Information on Indoor and Sheltered Furniture Care

Information on Powder Coated Galvanized Metals Care

FAQs About Outdoor Furniture in NZ by Design Warehouse

WHY CHOOSE DESIGN WAREHOUSE WHEN SHOPPING FOR OUTDOOR FURNITURE IN NZ?

We have been selling outdoor furniture in New Zealand at wholesale prices since 1993. With warehouses in Auckland, New Zealand, Design Warehouse has always been the premier supplier of outdoor furniture to NZ and the international outdoor furniture market. We have over 20 years of experience supplying wholesale outdoor furniture in NZ to designers, landscapers, architects, five-star resorts, retail operations & hotels; and the public. As a manufacturer, Design Warehouse has a pricing advantage compared to other wholesalers who, in almost all cases, buy their offerings from manufacturers like Design Warehouse with an aim to resell at a higher price to a retail sales operation. Bottom line: you get the finest outdoor furniture in NZ, at the best prices available anywhere.

Design Warehouse occupies the top spot in outdoor furniture in NZ, because of our portfolio of materials and an incredible range of designs, as well as our ability to provide constant availability on nearly all of our stock and the beautiful variety of products we offer. Then there is the fact that our outdoor furniture pieces are fully assembled for you. Our clients know we not only provide all these benefits but do so at the best price; and the highest quality – guaranteed!

DO YOU ONLY SELL TEAK FURNITURE?

We sell a staggering variety of outdoor furniture products – including outdoor furniture and accessories in raw concrete, 316 marine-grade stainless steel, Viro® wicker outdoor furniture, Sunbrella®, powder-coated aluminum furniture styles, decorative items, BBQ’s and fire pits, high-end umbrellas and much more for your outdoor space! In our Auckland based 80,000 Sq. Ft. warehouse and showroom space we assemble our furniture and provide the impeccably finished product on site, including every item you would need to transform your outdoor space. Don’t forget though, we also sell the highest quality teak furniture you will ever see.

A large percentage of our customers are referral visitors or repeat customers, allowing us to state proudly that there are many thousands of pieces of our furniture here in New Zealand. We invite you to come see for yourself, like many thousands of our customers have. If you’re looking for outdoor furniture in Auckland, you will be pleased that you visited us in person. Don’t fear, if you may be outside of Auckland, our website is built to help you get the best idea of what our furniture looks like. That means that if you are looking for outdoor furniture in NZ outside of the Auckland area, we’ve got you covered. We sell a huge amount of outdoor furniture to Christchurch buyers and we have a ton of outdoor furniture in Wellington homes, gardens and patios.

WHY IS THERE SUCH A PRICE DIFFERENCE WHEN SHOPPING FOR TEAK FURNITURE?

That’s an excellent question. Most retailers of teak furniture purchase their product mix through a wholesaler, who has made that purchase from a manufacturer like Design Warehouse. Design Warehouse manufactures our own products, which allows us to keep the total cost down; we offer this cost savings to our customers by eliminating the unnecessary middlemen and expense. We assemble our outdoor furniture in NZ and quality check it, finish it expertly and can deliver it everywhere.

In shopping with Design Warehouse, you can avoid the unfortunate 4 step buying process! (Buying from a retailer, who buys from a wholesaler, who buys from a manufacturer.) You might be getting the same great quality, but you are definitely not receiving the best price.

HOW DOES YOUR OUTDOOR FURNITURE COMPARE TO OTHERS?

We invite you to see the difference in our outdoor furniture for yourself. Of course, you will be able to tell which details are most important to you personally. We do however have very specific benefits over our competition as well:

We manufacture our furniture in Europe (Italy, France, Belgium), Indonesia and the USA. These countries offer quality, workmanship, tooling, and accuracy that are known throughout the industry and to discerning clients to be the best in the world. All our products are brought to our warehouse in Auckland, NZ, we take pride in the fact that we assemble and finish all of our outdoor furniture in NZ.

Quality control is our top priority. We insist on our qualified builders assembling every piece that leaves our warehouses for full quality control and workmanship. Every piece you have delivered will be fully assembled, finished to a spectacular finish.

Our teak furniture is manufactured with the highest Grade-A quality teak available on the market. Our teak is purchased from the Indonesian government to their specified rules and controls, ensuring the level of quality, and helping to improve sustainability and control timber volumes.

Our machines in our manufacturing facilities are programmed to cut precise computerized measurements, the wood is then dried to the right temperatures in kilns to improve longevity, strength, and uniformity. Our hardware is specifically for outdoor use. That doesn’t mean you have to use it all outdoors, but it can take the rigours of weather and the sun. Our glues are marine glues suitable for a marine environment.

Our wicker outdoor furniture ranges are the ultimate in high end, long-lasting and easy to live with furniture. We use only Viro® or Rehau® materials, all manufactured and controlled in Indonesia, where craftsmen are known for their exceptional weaving and manufacture of these types of products.

Our raw concrete is manufactured by the most respected craftsmen in the business with the highest quality and control. It features a resin and concrete mixture to ensure lightweight and high strength as well as stunning good looks.

Our umbrellas come from Belgium and use European fittings and fixtures. Our fabrics are Sunbrella®, the perfect fabric for outdoor living. Sunbrella® is rot and fade resistant, beautiful, soft to the touch and lasts an incredibly long time, where lesser fabrics would quickly deteriorate in the sun.

Design Warehouse has no middlemen to deal with. Because we are the manufacturer we can source, design and sell to you at a lower price, representing a huge value to you, the customer. You get the best quality AND the best price.

Our outdoor furniture quality is the best, guaranteed. That’s why we’re still around, after so long in this competitive industry. It’s because we offer the best. This is proven by the high percentage of our sales that can be attributed to repeat and referral customers here in NZ.

DOES YOUR FURNITURE COME FULLY ASSEMBLED?

All of our furniture is quality controlled and assembled at our corporate facilities in Auckland, New Zealand before it is delivered to you. We want you to be able to use this wonderful furniture immediately, without having to work through a complicated and annoying assembly.

HOW IS YOUR TEAK WOOD SOURCED?

Our teak furniture is manufactured from 100 percent plantation grown, kiln dried teak wood from the Perum Perhutani plantation in Indonesia. Our styles are European designed and manufactured in Indonesia under the supervision of European craftsmen. Indonesian teak is ranked amongst the best in the world. Our teak is Grade-A and harvested from a government-controlled forest in accordance with sustainable forestry practices. Grade-A teak is center cut; it has a very even grain formation and has the most density and beneficial attributes of any teak wood.

IS YOUR TEAK OILED OR DOES HAVE A FINISH ON IT?

When you receive your teak wood furniture it will be in its natural state which is a honey or golden brown color and can often appear to be polished or satiny. The polished appearance comes from oil which occurs naturally in the wood. This surface oil will evaporate after a few days outdoors. The oil that remains below the surface is part of what gives the wood its durability. If left to age naturally outside, teak furniture will develop a handsome silver-gray coloured patina. This patina process will take approximately 9-12 months, of course depending on the amount of ultraviolet light and the rain that the teak is exposed to.

We sell only unfinished furniture when it comes to our Grade-A teak (some other materials have specific finishes). We recommend always buying teak furniture unfinished so you can see the grading. If it is finished or oiled at point of sale, it is often likely that there is a reason… It is likely not Grade-A. Grade-A teak is incredibly uniform, in both coloration and grain pattern. It is smooth, hard and dense. There are no noticeable knots or dark patches. There is no white residue. Grade-A Teak is a material truly in a class of its own.

If you prefer an oiled look or finish for your new teak furniture, such as a sealer or “washed” look we can recommend qualified people to help you find the perfect look for your space.

CAN I ORDER BY PHONE?

Absolutely! A friendly salesperson is available to assist you over the phone 7 days a week between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm in the summer months and 9:30 am to 4:30 pm in the winter months. Give us a call today! (If you prefer, you can also always email us for a speedy response at sales@designwarehouse.co.nz)

DO YOU OFFER DELIVERY SERVICE?

Yes, we do.

We offer you the opportunity to personally pick up from our warehouse. Please call ahead of time so you are not delayed.

We use only the best local, and national carriers for customers outside of Auckland, for those who prefer delivery over pick up.

These delivery people come to us qualified with the highest recommendations and referrals.

Design Warehouse requires this high standard of service.

Included are:

• The furniture is quality controlled then leaves our warehouse fully assembled
• The furniture is blanket-wrapped, shrink-wrapped or palletized, depending on whether delivery is local, nationwide or international
• Furniture is delivered to your garden space, deck, or outdoor space, unwrapped, placed and set up

For all international delivery and projects, delivery is made to your project’s location, or we can store for a date that is suitable to you. Please inquire at sales@designwarehouse.co.nz

WHAT KIND OF WARRANTY DO YOU OFFER FOR THE FURNITURE?

Our Warranty information can be found at the following URL: Terms and Conditions

HOW DO I HAVE FURNITURE SHIPPED?

Out of the Design Warehouse location in Auckland, NZ, we can ship to all cities in New Zealand and for larger projects we also ship to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Larger commercial outdoor furniture orders can be accommodated easily. We ship large commercial orders direct from our factories in Indonesia, the USA or Europe.

Ph NZ 0800111112 or 011649 3777710 or sales@designwarehouse.co.nz

HOW LONG DOES IT USUALLY TAKE FOR SHIPPING?

Most orders will arrive via a delivery company in approximately 5 to 14 business days. Orders are shipped Monday-Friday; weekend and holiday deliveries are only for local. We like to make sure you are in control of where your delivery is – you can call anytime for updates from the delivery company or if you need more assistance please call our staff.

For international deliveries, depending on the quantities and lead time we can deliver from our factories in Indonesia or from our warehouses in Auckland. For shipping details please call or email us.

Teak wood FAQs

WHAT KIND OF WOOD IS TEAK (TECTONA GRANDIS)?

Teak Wood is known by some as the “Prince of Hardwoods” or even the “Rich Mans Wood”; it is a close grain hardwood that has a large content of natural rubber and oil. These oils and rubbers are part of what makes Teak wood such a desirable hardwood for outdoor use. The wood is basically impervious to all degrading factors including the effects of rain, snow, frost and even the sun. Additionally teak wood is highly resistant to rot and very resistant to bugs and other natural hazards. These desirable attributes keeps teak wood among the most sought-after wet environments like the boating industry. Boat builders have been using teak wood for centuries; it goes without saying: a wood capable of outperforming in demanding conditions like those in a marine environment is a superior wood for outdoor furniture.

ARE ALL HARDWOODS AS DURABLE AS TEAK?

The idea of “Teak Substitutes” is a marketing ploy. Teak has no substitute, it is unique in its characteristic properties, both from an aesthetic and a functional perspective. There is no other hardwood that will perform as well as teak in outdoor conditions. While many hardwood furniture exists, only Teak Furniture includes the inherent qualities needed to last in outdoor environments.

WHERE DOES YOUR TEAK COME FROM?

Javanese Teak is the only teak we use in the manufacture of our outdoor furniture in NZ. Javanese teak is an impeccable stock. The first plantations in Java were Dutch founded and controlled; the Dutch were the colonial power during that foundational period (the 1800’s). These plantations represent some of the oldest teak farms on the planet. These plantations are now owned and run by the Indonesian government, through the agency Perum Perhutani, responsible for all aspects of the teak forestry industry in the region. Specifically, Perum Perhutani is responsible for reforestation projects and planning, limiting the harvesting and felling of Tectona Grandis and controlling access to the wood.

HOW DOES TEAK FURNITURE WEATHER?

When you receive your teak wood furniture it will be in its natural state which is a honey or golden brown color and can often appear to be polished or satiny. The polished appearance comes from oil which occurs naturally in the wood. This surface oil will evaporate after a few days outdoors. The oil that remains below the surface is part of what gives the wood its durability. If left to age naturally outside, teak furniture will develop a handsome silver-gray coloured patina. This patina process will take approximately 9-12 months, of course depending on the amount of ultraviolet light and the rain that the teak is exposed to. Teak wood is a natural material which means it’s subject to tiny variations in its structure. Teak specifically can have fine cracks on the end grain of parts of the wood; these may appear or disappear based on changing atmospheric conditions. These fine cracks are completely normal, specifically on bigger and heavier component parts, like legs and arms. This will not negatively affect the life span or durability of your new furniture.

SHOULD I OIL MY TEAK?

Using oil to treat your teak wood furniture will not extend the life of your furniture. Specifically, using an oil on teak wood will accomplish only a cosmetic change. As such, we don’t recommend that you oil your furniture, as doing so results in unnecessary maintenance, where the teak wood already has such benefits.

HOW DO I PRESERVE TEAK’S ORIGINAL HONEY/BROWN COLOR?

If you want to preserve the color of your teak furniture, a teak sealer is recommended. Teak sealers are usually solvent based with water like viscosity, ultraviolet light and moisture protection. A variety of shades are available if you want other than the natural color. Sealers are easy to apply and are generally applied every 6-12 months. If you choose to use a sealer we recommend you visit a marine store and purchase specialty teak products as used on boats.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY FURNITURE?

Teak requires very little maintenance apart from the occasional scrub with a mild solution of soapy water or a diluted mixture of Simple Green® and water to remove accumulated dirt. This is followed by a rinse with clean water. To remove grease spots, a light scrub with a degreasing agent is recommended. This is followed by a rinse with clean water. (This is why teak garden furniture is so perfect.)

If you want to remove the silver-gray patina and restore the furniture to its original color use a teak cleaner which can be purchased from a marine store.

DO I NEED TO STORE MY FURNITURE OVER THE WINTER?

No, teak furniture can be left outdoors uncovered all 12 months of the year, no matter where you live. If you choose to cover your teak furniture during winter, use a material that allows the wood to breathe.

Teak patio furniture can be left outdoors all year long. If you put your furniture away for the winter, do not store it in a heated room because this can dry out the wood and can cause cracks. The wood expands and contracts with changes in the weather – this is normal. Some of the joints are not glued, like the slats in the back of chairs. Some expanding and contracting of wood joints is also normal. From time to time you may need to tighten the fasteners. As the wood ages, small checks or cracks may appear on the surface, this is normal and doesn’t affect the durability of the furniture. These are not imperfections. Remember you are buying a natural product.

HOW IS YOUR FURNITURE CONSTRUCTED?

The outdoor furniture produced by Design Warehouse uses the time tested and proven techniques considered best practice. This includes mortise and tenon joinery, epoxy fortified glues and solid fittings made from brass and stainless steel. When we assemble and finish the furniture in our warehouse we utilize extra fine grit sandpaper to ensure the silky smooth finish our customers desire. We craft each piece specifically to achieve the highest quality product and do so adhering to multiple quality control processes. This ensures only the finest furniture is sold and delivered to you.

DO YOU KILN DRY THE TEAK?

Yes, we do kiln dry our teak wood. This is a process which ultimately results in the highest quality and most uniform pieces of lumber. Specifically, it allows us to start with wood that is at the equilibrium for moisture content, which means that it is balanced and has a more exact dimension. Because this equilibrium has been reached properly, the wood used to craft the outdoor furniture we make can remain at its most stable level in a wide variety of environments. Kiln drying is also part of our quality construction and quality control processes.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT GRADES OF TEAK?

There are several grades of teak. Specifically, the most well known teak grades are A, B and C grade. We use only A-grade teak in our furniture (except where we use reclaimed teak). Often Grade-A Teak is referred to “Super Grade A” or “Triple Grade A”. Grade A has a characteristic uniformity that cannot be matched by lesser grades of teak. It is evenly grained, evenly colored, and does not have cosmetic blemishes like you will find in Grade B and Grade C Teak wood. Such blemishes as are commonly found in Grade B or C teak include whitish residue on the surface, or contrarily blackish residue across the surface. Also, knots, holes and surface textural issues might also be present in lesser grade teak. Grade-A Teak does not have such cosmetic or structural concerns. As a tip for the discerning consumer, if “New” teak wood furniture is being sold with oils, stains or other “cosmetic enhancements” in tact, there is likely something to be hiding on the teak wood. Often, in addition to lesser quality teak wood, a manufacturer who would sell such product will also use poor quality fasteners and construction techniques.

Wicker FAQs

WHAT IS ALL-WEATHER WICKER?

All Weather Wicker Outdoor Furniture is made with nearly indestructible and exceptionally easy to maintain, synthetic fibers. We recognize the need for the highest quality fibers for our furniture; we therefore use Viro® and Rehau®. These fibers are made by an extrusion method and utilize a synthetic material base that includes Polyethylene; they are through-dyed. This means the color doesn’t fade, come off or release chemicals at all. This extrusion process creates perfectly shaped fiber strands that are then woven onto high-end frame structures made with aluminum. Lesser quality fibers (for instance PVC) can be negatively affected by the sun (UV rays); additionally these types of lesser quality fibers can be toxic, not well suited to weather extremes and harden over time. All our outdoor wicker furniture is made with fibers that are supple, stay true to color, can be expected to last for a very long time in all types of weather and are not going to degrade in the sun. Our fibers are toxin-free.

Because of all these attributes, the wicker outdoor furniture you purchase from Design Warehouse is highly resistant to environmental factors and chemical exposure, such that commonly occurring problems are no longer problems. This includes chlorine from pools, lotions and oils, food or drink staining, salt water and salt air. Additional benefits include a very low maintenance regimen and immunity to rotting, pests, tearing, and it is a recyclable product. Our wicker furniture is not heavy and can be moved around with relative ease.

HOW IS YOUR FURNITURE MADE?

We use all weather wickers like Viro® and Rehau® fibers and aluminum frames to ensure longevity, ease of ownership and great looks. Our wicker outdoor furniture is hand woven to the most stringent standards and remains tight to the frame for an incredibly long time. We weave our furniture in Indonesia, where there is a long history of producing the best-woven furniture on the planet.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY OUTDOOR WICKER?

Cleaning your outdoor wicker furniture is very simple. Often times, a hose down with water will be sufficient. If you have particularly soiled furniture, the use of a non-foaming cleanser and a low-pressure hose is recommended. Wicker outdoor furniture from Design Warehouse is made to be extremely low maintenance. It is among the lowest maintenance of any outdoor furniture available anywhere and it boasts high strength and weather resistance.

WHAT IS THE COST FOR CUSHIONS?

Our Outdoor Collections® outdoor wicker products include free high-quality cushions as shown on our site. Sunbrella® fabric covers a Dacron wrapped Quik-Dry® foam. This ensures a high quality, long lasting and comfortable cushion, built to withstand the harsh outdoor environment. These cushions are built specifically for our products and fit perfectly and are made by the most reputable cushion companies.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY WICKER OVER TIME?

Generally speaking, a woven chair made with the materials we utilize in our collections will have a long lifespan and have good wear characteristics over time. The performance will be excellent for a long period of time and you might compare such a lifespan to a high-quality piece of indoor furniture utilizing the same high grade of materials.

WHAT TEMPERATURE RANGE CAN WOVEN FURNITURE WITHSTAND?

Synthetic wicker outdoor furniture made with woven Viro® or Rehau® fibers can easily withstand the temperature extremes from -20° to 120°. The material is a dynamic one and will show a very slight change in suppleness during the extreme temperature ranges. This does not affect performance and is only a slight variation. When normal temperatures resume, the normal characteristics of the material will return.

Steel FAQs

WHAT IS POWDER-COATED ALUMINUM?

Powder coated aluminum is a combination of two excellent materials for durability and lightweight as well as good looks. Aluminum is the base material, upon which a special coating is placed. The coating is a mixture of color and a polyester or polyester-expoxy hybrid powder which forms an actual layer of durable material to protect and beautify the aluminum. Because powder coating is applied using electrostatically charged particles, and then it is heat cured, the resulting “skin” produced is heavy duty, evenly applied and durable, not to mention beautiful. Among the new characteristics which exist when the two materials are combined, are: corrosion resistance, durability against the elements, lightweight and beauty. Clearly, powder coated aluminum furniture is ideal for Outdoor Furniture.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY POWDER-COATED ALUMINUM?

Cleaning powder coated aluminum furniture is typically done with a soft sponge or cloth and mild soap. Some owners use automotive waxes, like a spray on wax, 1-2 times a year. Some believe that this wax or polish will keep the finish looking as new. Do not use abrasives of any type, either in the cleaner or polish or in the way you apply it (like an abrasive sponge). Such abrasives can have a negative effect on powder coating.

WHY STAINLESS STEEL?

Stainless steel is a powerhouse material for high-end outdoor furniture. It combines beauty, with strength and corrosion resistance as well as the ability to work well in the manufacturing process. Design Warehouse uses 316 Marine Grade Stainless steel specifically on nearly every single stainless product. Despite its gorgeous appearance when new, it’s important to keep stainless steel outdoor furniture clean with regular maintenance. Below are some FAQ’s related to routine stainless steel maintenance and cleaning. Adhering to these maintenance and cleaning procedures will ensure the long beautiful life of stainless steel products from Design Warehouse.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT MAINTENANCE?

Using a capable grade of stainless steel for your environment has a major impact on how much maintenance and what type of maintenance will be required. Design Warehouse uses 316 grade stainless steel for this reason. Because of the higher molybdenum and nickel content of this stainless steel alloy, it has enhanced properties compared to other grades of stainless steel. These enhancements include a higher resistance to scratching, corrosion denting and pitting. Furthermore, 316 has been time tested in marine environments and other harsher contaminate environments. Simply put, the only aspect that 316 stainless steel doesn’t outperform (furniture industry standard #304 stainless) is in cost; #316 is more expensive.

Smoggy, dirty and otherwise industrial environments will necessitate a more frequent cleaning regimen and maintenance schedule. High humidity areas, or those with salt air environments will similarly require more cleaning of stainless steel furniture. Generally speaking, if stainless steel looks dirty, it should be cleaned properly. In terms of frequency: unless you live in a particularly harsh environment like a coastal area or near industrial centers, cleaning your stainless steel furniture 1-2 times a year should suffice. You can see our 316 stainless steel outdoor furniture in NZ, looking great, no matter where you are.

WHAT TYPE OF CLEANER SHOULD I USE FOR MY STAINLESS STEEL?

For routine maintenance on stainless steel furniture from Design Warehouse, using a ph neutral soap and clear water applied with a soft cloth or sponge should be considered normal. Fingerprints can be removed as necessary using the 3M® Brand “Stainless Steel Cleaner” applied as stated on the 3M® product.

Stains and discoloration sometimes requires the use of a ScotchBrite® pad (also a 3M® product). After brightening and evening out the finish on the stainless steel by using this method, you might also apply the aforementioned 3M® “Stainless Steel Cleaner”.

Concrete

HOW HEAVY IS YOUR CONCRETE FURNITURE?

Concrete furniture from Design Warehouse uses a composite structure. This structure is comprised of concrete and glass fibers. Such a combination offers similar looks and strength to 100% concrete, but only has about half the weight of regular concrete.

HOW IS MY CONCRETE FURNITURE DELIVERED?

All of furniture that Design Warehouse manufactures and sells is delivered to customers fully assembled. Concrete furniture for example, where a concrete bench would come as bench top and bench legs, would be assembled on site as it is being delivered. The same would be true for tables, where a concrete table would be delivered as tabletop and table legs (assembled at delivery). Concrete furniture is a natural product and in time will take on the appearance of wear and slight veining and small cracks. This is normal behavior of concrete. If this is not the way you want your concrete to look then it is recommended a different outdoor material be used. Please note once your Concrete table has been placed and assembled, please do not move again without removing the legs and top, be aware the minimum number of family and friends you will need to help with this move will be 3 or more. Specific requirements or special arrangements beyond what is normal and customary should be noted to your salesperson at time of purchase.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I SPILL RED WINE ON MY NEW TABLE?

With any spill on any piece of natural furniture (this includes furniture with cement/concrete in it), it should be wiped up immediately. For more specific care instructions please refer to the following page which highlights more information on this matter Furniture Care

CAN I EXPECT THE COLOR TO STAY THE SAME OVER TIME?

Concrete furniture including the type Design Warehouse sells (which contains glass fiber reinforcement), still has a very high organic content. It will age in a manner substantially similarly to bare concrete. The concrete outdoor furniture Design Warehouse sells, will retain its good looks over time, given proper upkeep and maintenance. Such maintenance should be conducted when spills occur, to keep the spills and stains to a minimum and to keep the color in the same condition as when purchased new.

Cleaning is easy with 1 part to 100 of household bleach this can be lightly sprayed onto the table top after it has had a light hose down first. Leave for 5 minutes and hose down again. Let dry.

DOES THE CONCRETE HAVE SEALANT ON IT?

Design Warehouse sells concrete outdoor furniture in NZ with component parts that are sealed with a high quality liquid sealant before the customer receives the product. The Sealer is used to improve water repellency and a similar sealant should be used when repellency begins to suffer. The professionals at stores which deal with concrete products like tile stores or concrete companies) can recommend sufficient sealants for your concrete outdoor furniture. The “Blok” concrete range we offer has a wax sealant on it and we recommend that a wax type sealant be used for future application. Your salesperson can also give advice on finding the right sealant.

Batyline®

DOES BATYLINE® STRETCH OVER TIME?

Batyline® is designed to do just that (stretch). It stops stretching when it has reached 3% maximum stretch. This “elasticity” of the fabric allows it to provide an amazing seating experience and still return to its original position without deformation when the user leaves the seating surface. Serge Ferrari® of France produces the Batyline® Fabric, which is considered a high end product. The reputations of both the fabric and the company that produces it, are impeccable.

DOES BATYLINE® ATTRACT FOOD STAINS?

Batyline® is a coated fabric made from polyester, covered in PVC as an outer layer. Generally speaking Batyline® fabric does not stain and remains very easy to clean of physical residue, like food or dirt. Washing Batyline® fabric gently with mid soap and water, rinsing with clean water, is usually more than sufficient to take care of such issues. For further information regarding the Batyline® Fabric we use on our outdoor furniture, please go to Batyline® Mesh Furniture Care

DOES BATYLINE® MESH GET HOT?

Batyline® Mesh is not meant to be used near open sources of heat. Close proximity to open flames, or directed heat sources can cause deformation in the fabric. That said, it is perfectly capable of handling high outdoor temperatures when presented in an ambient environment. (Batyline® can withstand heats of up to 70 degree Celsius). We recommend that you test the temperature of a seating surface if you intend to use a piece of outdoor furniture that has been outside in higher temperatures. You can check by putting the back of your hand to the surface you intend to sit on. Batyline® typically does not store or retain heat for extended periods of time.

Café Range (plastic)

HOW DO I CLEAN MY CAFÉ CHAIRS?

Cleaning our Café range of chairs typically is done by using a soft brush or cloth and a clear water rinsing. More often than not, this simple process will solve any cleaning concern that you might have with these modern dining chairs and relaxing chairs.

WHAT MATERIAL IS MY CHAIR MADE OF?

There are two distinctly different types of plastic formulations we use in our chairs; they are Polycarbonate (as seen in our Bent Polycarbonate Chair) and Polypropylene (as seen in our Box Chair). The Polypropylene chairs we offer are made specifically with UV inhibitors to handle outdoor conditions, including sunny and hot conditions. The Polycarbonate resin chairs we sell are generally built to be able to handle outdoor conditions, but we do not recommend full outdoor usage year round. These chairs are not specifically built to handle full year round sun exposure. We recommend using them as needed outdoors and using them primarily for indoor purposes.

DO THESE PLASTIC CHAIRS DISCOLOR?

Generally speaking, these plastic chairs will not discolor. Under normal uses and given the considerations listed directly above in the “What material is my chair made of?” text, your new chairs from Design Warehouse should not have issues with discoloration.