Weather Resistance 

Great care is taken during manufacture and finishing to ensure that every product purchased from Ruby's Garden Boutique offers many years of pleasure. However, it is necessary to provide a little care and maintenance to ensure lasting satisfaction. 

We strongly recommend that all garden furniture is stored away at the end of the Summer.  All furniture (not just ours) will give years more pleasure if protected from the worst ravages of the Winter frosts and weather.  

Mosaic, Stone and Marble tables and chairs are weather resistant, and designed for both outdoor and indoor use. They must however be first dried, and then stored away in the Winter, as we do not guarantee them as being 100% frost-proof.  

When using a weatherproof covering we recommend a sheet of breathable polystyrene laid between the tabletop and the cover (ensuring everything is completely dry under the cover otherwise any dampness / moisture may cause a freeze / thaw reaction.

Many of our statues and water features have a painted finish which over time will weather, protecting the statue or water feature from the worst of the winter weather and ravages will help protect this finish and maintain it's longevity.

Resistance to Staining

Natural Stone, including our Travertine Marbles, are porous, and will absorb liquids. Any spillages should be removed without delay, to avoid the possibility of staining and marking. Some liquids (lemon juice, tonic water, cola, red wine etc.) will leave stains or blemishes which can be hard to remove.

The grout between the tiles on our ceramic tables can also stain, and care should therefore also be taken to remove spillages swiftly.

Natural Stone and Mosaic Ranges

Many of our tables are made from natural stone.  Colours will vary, and no two tables will be the same; this is part of the charm and a characteristic of buying a product using natural materials, rather than uniform man-made. Natural stone does have slight pits and blemishes, and sometimes fissures which appear to look like cracks. These are part of the nature and characteristic of natural stone, and are sometimes filled with a resin during manufacture; such blemishes and colour variations are unavoidable, and do not constitute a fault. They add to the beauty and non-uniformity of a natural product.

Many of our tables have tops of natural riven stone, therefore, please expect the surface to be 'riven' and not completely even.  This adds to the natural beauty of the table, but if you are seeking a perfectly smooth and even surface, then please opt for one of our other styles.

Our Travertine Marble tables are weather resistant and designed for outdoor and indoor use. The tables must, however, be first dried and then stored away in the winter, as we do not guarantee them as being frost-proof.  We recommend a sheet of polystyrene between the table top and the cover for added protection, but it is also important to make sure the table is fully dry before covering, so as not to trap any moisture underneath.

Although treated with a stone protector, these surfaces can be porous and will absorb liquids, any spillages should be removed without delay. Some liquids (lemon juice, tonic water, cola, red wine to name but a few,) will leave stains or blemishes which can be difficult to remove. 

Natural Travertine marble does have pits and blemishes and sometimes fissures which look like cracks. These are sometimes filled with resin during manufacturing and are part and parcel of natural stone and do not constitute a fault.

Ceramic Tables 

Our superior Byron Manor ceramic tile tables are weather resistant and designed for outdoor and indoor use. The tables should, however, be first dried and then stored away in the winter.

The ceramic tiles are very durable but may chip or crack if heavy items are dropped on them. We suggest that place mats are used when you put very hot items on the table. Please also remember this is a table, you should not sit or stand on the table.

Should the metal table frames become chipped they should be touched up with matching enamel paint immediately to avoid rusting.

We recommend covering during the harsher weather and winter months with a sheet of polystyrene between the table top and the cover for added protection, but it is also important to make sure the table is fully dry before covering, so as not to trap any moisture underneath.

Resin Weave Wicker

The resin wicker used in the chair seats is a tough, resin-based weather-resistant woven material, it can easily be cleaned with warm soapy water, rinsed off with plain water. We recommend the chairs are stored away during the winter.

Should the metal chair become chipped they should be touched up with matching enamel paint immediately to avoid rusting.

Many of our ranges use 'resin weave wicker'.  This is a tough, resin-based weather-resistant woven material, and in some cases, it has variegated shading, which serves only to heighten the effect of being 'the real thing'  The Wicker is easy to clean, using warm soapy water, rinsed off with plain water.  Do not use abrasive detergents or solvents, detergents with a neutral PH are recommended.  Avoid damage by sharp objects. If the 'tail' of the wicker should at any time become free, it can easily be secured with adhesive.

Despite being resistant to the rain, the furniture should be stored away in Winter, as prolonged exposure to very cold conditions will result over a long period of time in the material becoming brittle, and breaking down.

Should the metal chair become chipped they should be touched up with matching enamel paint immediately to avoid rusting.

Breathable Synthetic Fabric

Breathable synthetic fabric is ideal for garden furniture, as it bounces off the rain, and is easy to clean with warm soapy water, well rinsed off.  Do not use abrasive detergents or solvents, detergents with a neutral PH are recommended. Care should be taken that it is not damaged accidentally by sharp objects.  If using a pressure washer do not stand too close.

Resin Furniture

Nardi

Nardi furniture is almost indestructible, it is UV stabilised, and will withstand extreme temperature changes. Many of the Nardi products use a resin and fibreglass mix for strength.  Again clean with mild soapy water rinsed off with clean water.

Trabella 

Our Trabella range of furniture is very easy to care for and has a UV inhibitor mixed with the resin during manufacturing.  We recommend cleaning with mild soapy water and rinsing off with clean water.  If using a pressure washer do not get too close as it may damage the resin.

Being so much lighter in weight than metal furniture by it's very nature, resin furniture should be protected in high winds to avoid being blown over.

Keter

The Keter range is weather-resistant, providing a dry and ventilated environment for all your stored items. 

To clean use soapy water and a damp cloth, thoroughly wipe the surface clean.  Repeat this action until the dirt is removed. 

A hose can be used to clean the surface but please do not use a pressure washer.

Ornaments and Water Features

Polystone statues are made from crushed stone and resin, and are hollow for ease of handling.  Care should be taken if situated in positions subject to winds. A stake can be partially driven into the lawn or soil and the ornament positioned over the protruding part, to prevent toppling and possible damage. Ornaments should never be lifted by the delicate parts, such as a figure head, but gripped around the body.

Fibre Clay statues are made from a composite of clay, fibreglass and magnesia. The Clay helps give a natural finish, the fibreglass provides strength and makes the ornament less susceptible to breaking or cracking, the magnesia allows for a lighter weight product while also making it more weather resistant.

Water features should be totally emptied of water before wintertime to avoid damage from freezing. The pump should be dried and stored indoors over winter to ensure longevity. During the winter and harsher weather months we recommend a sheet of polystyrene between the ornament and a cover for added protection, but it is also important to make sure the table is fully dry before covering, so as not to trap any moisture underneath.

Many of our ornaments and water figures have painted finishes, care should be taken to avoid damaging the finish. We also suggest that statue and water features are protected from the worst of the winter weather, this help protect the painted finish.

The deer are strong, but they have delicate parts, in particular the antlers and ears.  If they are allowed to blow over in the garden, these parts can break off.  We recommend that you drive in a strong wire or metal rod into the ground, leaving a few inches sticking out.  Then tie one of the deer's legs to this rod using green garden wire, to prevent them been blown over in high winds, or knocked over by cats / foxes.  If you do suffer any damage, the breakage can easily be glued.

Metal Components

Many of our ranges are partially constructed of steel or aluminium.  Those living in coastal regions will be aware that sea spray and salt air play havoc with most metals, especially steel, and although our furniture is weather and rust resistant, we offer no guarantee against corrosion by sea air.  If you live near the sea, you would be better advised to consider one of our resin sets.

Steel will rust if the protective surface is damaged in any way. Our steel products undergo many cleaning, rust inhibiting and powder coating processes so that the product will look good for some time before repainting becomes necessary.  It is however possible that minor damage to the powder-coat finish can occur during assembly, or, despite our superior packaging, it is even conceivable that slight chips can be caused during transit.  To avoid rusting, any small chip marks should be touched-up with matching enamel paint. These minor blemishes are often unavoidable, and we do not consider products showing minor rust spots to be faulty.

Fire Pits

When in use as a firepit, children should be supervised at all times when they are near the table. Once the firepit has fully cooled the fire bowl should be emptied and then stored out of the weather.

Home Assembly

Many of our self-assembly furniture ranges use aluminium components and / or fixings. However, aluminium is a relatively ‘soft’ metal, and it is easy to strip threads, or snap bolts if over tightened. We recommend using a hand spanner for assembly, as opposed to a socket set.

When assembling products please do so on a soft surface to avoid any marks or damage to your new product. Nuts and bolts should only be loosely tightened until fully assembled to allow for adjustments. Once you are happy the product is assembled and level, then fully tighten all fixings, and check periodically that they are still tight. 

Important Home and Garden Product Information - Use