Bamboo Bar Stools

Cast aluminum has been gaining popularity as an outdoor furniture material, but bamboo bar stools remain the first choice for those with Tiki or beach-style home bars. Here's a little surprise: just as modern wrought iron bar stools are actually made from mild steel, modern bamboo bar stools are actually made from rattan. What's the difference, you ask? Read on for an answer.

Rattan Bar Stools

Rattan bar stools are superior to bamboo bar stools for several reasons. The first is that rattan is stronger than bamboo because its stem is solid rather than hollow. Bamboo bar stools must be wrapped because of this, thus altering the material's natural appearance.

Another important difference between these stools is that rattan has environmental value. Unlike bamboo, rattan requires support to grow. Rattan spreads like a vine through trees and other vegetation. Because it grows quickly and is easy to harvest, rattan is a profitable and ecological alternative to traditional logging.

Though similar in appearance to bamboo bar stools, rattan bar stools are more durable, and they also paint and stain like wood. However, most people prefer the natural color and appearance of rattan.

Choosing rattan bar stools

The quality of rattan bar stools can be determined by their thickness and smoothness. The larger the stem, the stronger the bar stool will be. Rattan is sanded when made into outdoor furniture. The finest rattan bar stools are smooth, uniform in color, and evenly stained. Lesser quality rattan bar stools will display greater variation in color and shape.

Construction is another factor in rattan bar stool quality. The finest rattan bar stools are assembled using screws covered by wood plugs rather than nails or staples.

A deck or patio is the most popular place for using rattan bar stools. They're casual, comfortable, and durable; everything you'd want in a barstool.