A wicker rocking chair can give a room a stylish and classic look. It can also be used as an outdoor rocking chair for a breezy atmosphere outside. It is important to choose a chair made from the proper materials to ensure that it lasts a long time. Wicker is not a material, as some believe, but the process of weaving that gives the furniture its distinctive look. Wicker furniture can be made from both natural and man-made materials. Choosing the right material, as well as the right size, is important when choosing the right wicker rocking chair.
Outdoor wicker furniture should be made from waterproof, synthetic materials. Natural materials commonly used in wicker chairs, such as rattan or palm reeds, will break down when exposed to weather. Even natural wicker furniture that has been sealed or painted has a high chance of molding or rotting from the inside out. The fine weave of wicker leaves many tiny surfaces where paint and sealer often cannot reach. This allows water to soak into the natural materials and ruin them.
An outdoor rocking chair should also not be made from paper fiber. While this is not a natural type of wicker such as that made from reeds, the twisted-paper wicker furniture will also probably not stand up to the weather very long before breaking down. It is even more absorbent in most cases than natural reeds. Choose resin and plastic materials that are weatherproof when purchasing an outdoor wicker rocking chair. It is probably best to choose these synthetic materials when choosing a patio rocking chair that could be exposed to moisture, rain and humidity, as well.
Indoor wicker furniture can be made from either natural or synthetic materials. It is important to know which material the wicker rocking chair is made from so that it can be cleaned properly. Natural materials should not be allowed to stay wet for an extended period of time. Painted wicker should even be cleaned with extra care to keep the paint from peeling away. Dusting and wiping with a damp cloth are usually all that is required. A synthetic wicker rocking chair made from some types of resins or plastics, on the other hand, can be thoroughly washed and even sprayed with a hose to clean.
A wicker rocking chair can be too large or too small to be comfortable. Someone who wants to buy such a chair should sit in it before purchasing. A chair that is too wide may force the person to hold his arms too far apart when using the armrests. A wicker chair that is too small may be uncomfortable, and it may also put too much strain on the weave of the seat and the back. This can stress the weave and loosen it, which can damage the furniture over time.