Wicker furniture is well-known for its unique styles and natural comfort. Flexible plant fibers are weaved together in various patterns, styles, and forms to construct wicker furniture. These furniture-making techniques originated in ancient Egypt and are still used to create multiple products. However, synthetic materials have become common in wicker furniture as it is weather-resistant and more durable.
Wicker furniture’s natural materials make noise due to fibers that deform because of exposure to heat, moisture, and pressure created by inconsistent manufacturing processes. However, synthetic wicker furniture is more weather-resistant and less flexible, resulting in less noise.
While wicker furniture’s noise may be annoying, it might indicate more significant concerns. For example, the noise made by wicker furniture can suggest that the furniture requires maintenance or repairs. Therefore, in the following sections, we will clarify these concerns and provide suggestions for preventing them.
Why Does Wicker Furniture Make Noise?
The natural materials used to weave wicker furniture dries out and deteriorates over time, causing it to make noise. Further, exposure to sunlight, heat, or weather conditions can significantly increase the deterioration of wicker furniture. Additionally, moisture in the air can cause the fibers in wicker furniture to expand and warp, usually causing the furniture to squeak and crackle.
Weaving fibers to make wicker furniture produces inconsistent spacing and openings in the weave. Therefore, air can pass through weaves, causing the fibers to rattle and make noise. In addition, the irregular spacing creates uneven tension throughout the furniture, causing the weaves to shift and the wicker furniture to make noise.
How To Prevent Wicker Furniture From Making Noise
You can primarily prevent wicker furniture from making noise by doing simple maintenance. Additionally, you can maximize your investment in wicker furniture through routine maintenance. Therefore, we examine the best ways to care for various furniture items to prevent them from making noise. These methods include:
Alternatives Ways To Reduce Wicker Furniture Noise
In addition to regular maintenance, there are alternative methods to reduce the noise made by wicker furniture. These methods will help keep wicker furniture preserved for longer and keep it from being damaged. Additionally, there are external ways of minimizing the noise from wicker furniture. These methods include:
Different Materials Used For Wicker Furniture
The materials used in the weaving process to make wicker furniture can be natural, synthetic, or a combination. Each material has unique benefits, disadvantages, and methods to maintain. Rattan, Bamboo, Resin, Willow, and Cane are the most common materials for constructing wicker furniture. Therefore, Cane, Resin, and Bamboo will provide wicker furniture that typically makes less noise initially.
Rattan-Based Wicker Furniture
This fast-growing renewable resource is durable, lightweight, and flexible when steamed, making it an excellent material for wicker furniture. Unfortunately, the natural color of Rattan will fade over time if exposed to direct sunlight. However, you can maintain Rattan wicker furniture using certain staining products, liquid wax polish, paint, natural oil, and wood sealants.
Making Wicker Furniture From Bamboo
Bamboo is a less popular material for wicker furniture, as it splits and breaks more frequently. However, Bamboo is said to be harder than mahogany. Bamboo can be stained using a water-based stain, and you should periodically treat Bamboo wicker furniture with beeswax, mineral oil, linseed oil, or tung oil. Further, a thin coat of liquid furniture wax will give the Bamboo wicker furniture a shine.
Durable Resin To Make Wicker Furniture
This synthetic plastic-like material is a modern alternative for wicker furniture because of its resilience to outdoor weather conditions. Additionally, it can absorb intense UV rays, maintaining shape and color considerably longer. Further, Resin is more cost-effective than most natural materials, more heat-resistant, and you can easily hose Resin wicker furniture down to clean it.
Wicker Furniture Made From Willow
Willow is a soft, flexible material that is easier to bend and weave than other materials. Additionally, it tends to have a smooth and glossy finish, requiring less finishing. Therefore, Willow wicker furniture’s labor costs are typically less than other natural materials, making it a popular material for making homewares. You can protect Willow wicker furniture with a coat of varnish, shellac, or lacquer.
Cane Wicker Furniture
Cane is a popular material for wicker furniture since it can better withstand water and remain intact even in humid conditions. Although it is not as soft or flexible as other materials, it is a solid and sturdy material for wicker furniture. Cane, however, presents a glossy natural finish, making it unable to be stained or painted. To rejuvenate Cane wicker furniture, you can apply mineral oil and furniture wax.
How Long Should Wicker Furniture Last
Natural wicker furniture is best for indoor furniture away from the elements. If natural wicker furniture is appropriately maintained, it lasts anywhere from 10 to 15 years. Whereas synthetical wicker furniture can last upwards of 20 years if well maintained. However, synthetic wicker furniture generally lasts 5 to 10 years outdoors. Whereas natural wicker furniture usually does not last two years in the elements.
Conclusion
Wicker furniture making noise can be an indication that the furniture is damaged. However, there are several methods we can use to repair and prolong the deterioration of the wicker furniture that causes it to make noise. Furthermore, the wicker furniture’s construction material affects both how quickly it starts to degrade and the circumstances in which you can maintain it.
References
- https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-wicker-1391738
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/stop-rattan-furniture-squeaking-100294.html
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/way-paint-wicker-89552.html
- https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/caring-for-wicker-furniture/