Their beauty, however, is that they look and feel very much like their traditional canvas counterparts. Cleaning is a snap, a little soap and water washes away what dirt does accumulate and the wide array of colors give buyers a rainbow of choices. Many of the umbrellas have poles that look like they are made of wood, but they are actually made of aluminum covered with a wood finish allowing the umbrella pole to adjust with the movement of the sun. This new concept is an especially nice choice for those who want an umbrella that tilts, but don't want to sacrifice the appealing look of the market umbrella. Choice is what this year's new crop of patio, porch and lawn furniture is all about.
Furniture styles range from the contemporary sling to the very traditional wicker look.
Even the wicker, however, is now more weather tolerable. Some manufacturers are producing a water resistant type of coating which means that the furniture can withstand moisture and heat without chipping or cracking. Upscale companies like Lane and Lloyd Flanders each have their own techniques. Some use a synthetic materials which duplicates the wicker look while others actually dip coat the rattan in their own formulas to lock out the elements. The result of these wicker wannabes is a traditional look with the modern convenience of carefree furniture.