cane furniture

[kikimon]

hi I just got given some cane furniture. it was used in a conservatory but i was wondering if i can use it as garden furniture. Do i need to do something to it for it to last outdoors in the summer? we will store it in garage in the winter.

[Personica]

Though cane has a tough outer skin, it will suffer eventually from the elements as any other natural wood. (take a look at gardeners pea canes after a few years)

Perhaps a good polyurethane yatch varnish would help, paying particular attention to the cut ends of the cane.

[smee.tracey]

Cane funiture, used outside, will attrach woodworm. The furniture will be fine if you keep using it outside but when you bring it in you run the risk of contaminating your house. It cost my parents a fortune to get their house sorted after just one summer's outside use.