Green Articles
Save Money with Quality Products
By Anita Winter
Since the recession began a majority of consumers have reconsidered purchasing their dream homes or buying those flashy sports cars. In fact, the state of the economy has forced people, and retailers for that matter, to take a good look at what they can afford and adjust accordingly.
People are investing more time in creating a higher property value to their homes by adding outdoor rooms, landscaping and being involved in major DIY projects. Although, people are trying to find great bargains, they are also taking time to research products that will provide greater value in the long run.
Restaurant and hotel owners have also broadened their interest in renovating by creating outdoor patio dining areas for customers. They have realized that enhancing outdoor settings adds style and may increase property value.
Some of the products retailers and home owners are investing in are all-weather-resistant patio furniture, outdoor shade products and outdoor cushions. These are not being purchased solely on good looks but on durability and functionality. Today's outdoor furniture is nothing like grandma's outdoor wicker rocking chair from the past. Teak, cast iron, all-weather wicker furniture are just a few products that hold up against the outdoor elements much better now than ever before.
Large cantilevered umbrellas have become big sellers in commercial and residential markets, that's because shade products are made with quality materials that will outlast products from big box retailers. Most are made with high-performance fabrics like Sunbrella, which tackle harsh elements and leave no evidence of abuse. Umbrella frames are built to withstand strong winds and storms and are made with non-corrosive substances and flexible fiberglass materials.
The same is true for outdoor fabrics; textiles that will not fade from the sun or mildew from the rain. Soft beautiful designer fabrics that can be used outdoors and indoors are what many manufacturers are achieving in creating these high-tech textiles. This recession isn't going away anytime soon. So be wise when you are deciding on what you will spend your money on. Choose better products for your home and business and always ask yourself if it's a good investment. If so, you should be able to move forward with peace of mind.
Outdoor Fabrics Our Planet Can Appreciate
By Anita Winter
These days it's utterly impossible to not hear the concern for our planet's future. Global warming was never heard of until the twenty first century or was it just ignored before then? Almost all markets globally have been affected by the "Big Green Monster" called the Environment. Finding unique ways of being environmentally friendly has proven to be a challenge for most, but just like getting a child to eat his or her vegetables, it's really for our own good.
Irwin Gasner, President and CEO of Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills, has been doing his best to make outdoor fabrics safe for the environment without compromising the beauty and designer look to his fabrics. Irwin is the maker of Bella-Dura fabrics. For the last 28 years Irwin has seen a change in outdoor living design. Beautiful woven and velvety soft fabrics are not just for the interior of your home.
What makes the difference? Solution dyed yarn. This is the key to long lasting durable fabrics. Many fabrics are coated with Teflon which over time loses strength and resistance to the outside elements. Gasner thought the resistant properties should be built into the fabric. This would allow strength and color sustainability throughout the fibers. They also have a state-of-the art water repellant feature called Green Shield that is safe for the environment during recycling. Bella-Dura fabrics have been environmentally conscious since before "Going Green" was a concern. Gasner says"We developed Bella-Dura to be kind to the environment, from the beginning to the end of its life cycle."[1] During the making of the fabrics there is little water used, low amounts of energy used to manufacture the products and best of all, produces no harmful industrial waste to the environment.
In 2007, Bella-Dura began recycling old fabrics into resin pellets which became another helpful solution to our Earths plight. Consumers and retailers can now recycle old fabrics that will in turn become car parts, plant containers and even truck bed liners. What a difference an outdoor fabric can make. Not only does it highlight your outdoor living space but it's true to its surroundings. There is nothing like "natural" beauty.
Source:[1]Patio&Hearth Product Report Sept 2008
