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Why is this style of furniture called Adirondack?
The Adirondacks is a mountain range in the northern New York/Vermont
states area of America where the chairs were first made in the early 1900s.
What wood are the products made from?
Western Red Cedar from British Columbia (Canada).
We also offer chairs made with mature Canadian pine from Northern Ontario.
Where are they made and by whom?
The Classic range is manufactured by a small company in
Northern Ontario, Canada. Our Executive range will be supplied by an Ontario manufacturer also.
BackWoods Furniture (Co. Armagh) imports & distributes them in Ireland.
How are the products constructed?
For cedar products of our Classic range, the slats are affixed
using the glue& dowels method, so no screws are visible. Pine products do use screws, however.
The seat, back, arms, and legs are attached with strong rustproof fasteners that are tightened with an Allen
key (supplied).
On our Executive range the back slats (only) have invisible screw-holes.
Is pine less expensive than cedar?
Yes, pine is less expensive – about 30% less - because it is
readily available close to where they are made. Also, the pine products are more easily made given that they don’t
try to hide the screws.
Are products fully assembled?
They come partly-assembled in flatpacks for ease of
transporting. Backs and seats are already assembled.
How difficult are they to assemble?
Footstools, coffee tables, and folding chairs require no assembly at all.
When you get a chair, tête-à-tête, rocker, or bench the back and seat are
already assembled. So the difficult part has already been done; the
instruction sheet guides you through the final steps. If you have any
problem we will gladly talk you through it over the phone.
So what is involved in the final assembly then?
It is really quite easy; the 2 front legs, 2 armrests, and 2 back supports
need to be attached. Fortunately the holes for these are pre-drilled for
you, so it is easy to figure out what-goes-where. The instruction sheet will
help you with this. All the necessary fasteners are supplied along with an
Allen key to do the tightening.
A couple of useful hints:
- Hand-tighten each fastener just slightly at first, enough that the
components still move slightly but do not wobble. This allows for some
adjustment when you are fastening the remaining pieces. Then, when all the
fasteners have been inserted, firmly tighten each in turn. It takes about
20-30 minutes the first time to assemble a chair, for example.
- Keep the Allen key in a safe place to tighten up any fasteners that may
loosen slightly over time. This can happen in the first season particularly
as the wood responds to the elements (heat, cold, damp, etc.).
Should I use glue as well as the fasteners?
You do not need to use glue but it certainly will help make the assembled
unit stronger.
If you do, then select a water-soluble wood glue; these are available from
any reputable hardware store. Apply it sparingly so that you don’t get
over-runs when you tighten up the fasteners. Any overruns should be wiped
off quickly with a damp cloth; you may have to sand the area lightly when it
dries in order to remove the stain completely.
Is the wood finished when they are delivered?
No, not on the Classic range, because customers quite often want to select their own finish.
The Executive range will initially be delivered in fully finished form only.
What finish do you recommend?
Danish oil makes a good finish for Cedar; 2 coats first,
then an annual pre-season touch up coat on the exposed parts. Danish oil is easily obtainable (e.g. at B&Q)
and can be applied with a sponge or rag.
Alternatively a couple of coats of stain, either clear or coloured, will suffice. It is advisable to re-apply
a top-up coat every 1-2 years.
For Pine we recommend painting or staining with at least 2 coats.
How well will these products last outdoors?
Cedar will endure for at least 15-20 years with reasonable care.
Although cedar is naturally durable even if left unfinished, a finish is strongly recommended to ensure a long,
trouble-free service life.
Pine, if painted and maintained, should also last 10-20 years.
What about in Winter - should I bring them indoors?
Yes, if possible they should be stored indoors during the winter.
If this is not possible then they should at least be protected with a weatherproof cover that won’t blow off in high
winds.
Do you supply covers, cushions?
No, not yet, but they are readily available in garden centres and
hardware stores, e.g. B&Q, or via the internet.
Do you also offer outdoor dining tables and chairs?
Not in our Classic range; at present the focus is on
Adirondack-style products only, i.e. outdoor leisure furniture. For our Executive range we will in future
offer a selection of dining products.
What if they get damaged – do you supply replacement parts?
BackWoods maintains a small stock of spare parts to assist
customers in such situations. There may be a modest replacement & delivery charge in such cases.
Can you deliver them overseas?
Yes, BackWoods has a contract with a major courier
service for this purpose.
What guarantees do you offer?
If you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, simply return the
product(s) within 10 days and BackWoods will exchange it/them or refund your money.
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