Quality You Can Feel

Higher-grade materials, engineered to last. All at prices you’d expect from standard ranges.

Delivery Done Properly

2-man delivery to the spot you choose, plus a 60-day return window for total peace of mind.

 Pay Your Way

A huge range of finance and payment options so you pay the way that best suits your budget.

Market Leading Warranty

Warranties up to 5 years. We offer the longest protection available in the UK.

Visit Our Showroom

Come and see our range of hundreds of items on display in our showroom.

Shop Our End of Season Sale

Discover our hottest, best-selling products. All at best prices and market-leading warranties.

Shop the Sale

Our End of Season Promotions

Get Shade with a Pergola

Design your perfect custom pergola

Design Today

BBQs

Premium BBQs for every garden gathering.

Shop BBQs

End of Season Sale

Refresh your garden as we lead into autumn. There's still time to enjoy your garden.

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Browse Our Top Garden Ranges

Stay on top of the latest garden trend with us. Check out these popular categories that everyone’s talking about right now.
Rattan Garden Furniture

Rattan Garden Furniture

Rattan garden furniture is one of the easiest ways to turn an...

Rattan Garden Furniture

Rope Garden Furniture

Rope Garden Furniture

Rope garden furniture is the perfect choice for creating a comfortable and...

Rope Garden Furniture

Aluminium Garden Furniture

Aluminium Garden Furniture

Aluminium garden furniture is durable, lightweight, and can easily withstand UK weather...

Aluminium Garden Furniture

Pergolas

Pergolas

Pergolas are an excellent way to make better use of your garden....

Pergolas

Garden Accessories

Garden Accessories

Luxury Garden Furniture Accessories from Chimes Home & Garden At Chimes Home and...

Garden Accessories

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor Kitchens: The Ultimate Outdoor Cooking Experience Whistler Modular Outdoor Kitchens are...

Outdoor Kitchens

Discover Our Top Indoor Products

Stay on top of the latest indoor trend with us. Check out these popular categories that everyone’s talking about right now.
Sofas

Sofas

Sofas At Chimes Home and Garden, we offer sofas and sofa beds...

Sofas

Lighting

Lighting

Indoor Lighting – Chandeliers, Floor Lamps, Table lamps and Wall lights Add...

Lighting

Decorative Cushions

Decorative Cushions

Chimes Home & Garden Ltd have a wide and extensive range of...

Decorative Cushions

Console Tables

Console Tables

Console Tables Sometimes, you need a small hallway table to stand next...

Console Tables

Home Accessories

Home Accessories

Home Accessories and Gifts Add style and sophistication into your living space...

Home Accessories

Kitchen & Dining Room Furniture

Kitchen & Dining Room Furniture

Kitchen and Dining Room furniture Our beautiful range of kitchen and dining...

Kitchen & Dining Room Furniture

New Arrivals

Discover our hottest, best-selling products. All at best prices and market-leading warranties.

Shop the Sale

Ranges by Chimes

Explore thoughtfully curated collections by Chimes, designed to bring style, comfort, and cohesion to every space.

Shop Rattan Collection

Design Inspiration

We regularly post inspiration ideas and guides on how to style your home with our garden furniture.
  • Outdoor patio with seating and pastel cushions.

    Recycled and Eco-Friendly Garden Furniture Covers: Do They Perform as Well on Rattan and Aluminium?

    Recycled and eco-friendly garden furniture covers can perform just as well as conventional ones, because performance depends on the specification of the finished fabric and not on the origin of the fibre. Recycled polyester behaves much like virgin polyester once it's woven, coated and made up into a cover. What decides whether a cover protects your furniture is the fit, the waterproof treatment, the breathability and the way it's secured. What Actually Determines Cover Performance Five things separate a cover that earns its place from one that causes problems: Fit. A cover shaped for your set sheds water off the top and stays put in the wind. A loose, generic cover collects pools of water and flaps, which wears the fabric and the furniture underneath. Waterproofing. The fabric needs a coating or treatment that keeps rain out across a full winter of heavy weather. Breathability. This is the one most buyers miss. A completely sealed cover traps condensation underneath, which encourages mildew on cushions and leaves a damp film on frames. Vents or a breathable membrane let moisture escape. UV stability. Summer sun degrades untreated fabric quickly. A UV stable cover holds its colour and its strength for years. Fixings. Straps, drawcords, ties or clips keep the cover on the furniture during an autumn gale. Our own garden furniture covers are Weathertex treated and made as cover packs matched to specific set shapes, including L-shaped corner sets, round and rectangular dining sets, cube sets, bistro sets and sun loungers. How Recycled Fabrics Compare Most recycled outdoor covers use rPET, a polyester made from recovered plastic. The recycling process breaks material down to a polymer that can be spun into new yarn, and the resulting fibre performs very closely to virgin polyester on tensile strength, water resistance and UV stability. Two things are worth checking. Fibre length and consistency can vary more in recycled yarn, which occasionally shows up as a slightly less even weave, though this rarely affects durability in a finished cover. And the coating still does the waterproofing work, so a recycled fabric with a weak coating will underperform a conventional one with a good coating every time. In other words, judge the cover on its specification. Ask about the coating, the fabric weight, the UV treatment and the seam construction, and the recycled content becomes a bonus alongside a good product. Do Rattan And Aluminium Need Different Covers? They need the same core qualities, with small differences in emphasis. Rattan benefits most from breathability. Woven strands have more surface area and more small gaps where moisture can sit, so airflow under the cover matters. The weave also catches on rough fabric edges, so smooth inner linings are preferable. Aluminium benefits most from a snug fit with secure fixings. A powder coated finish is already sealed against rain, so a cover is protecting against dirt, bird mess, leaf staining and general debris more than water itself. A cover that flaps against the finish in high wind does more harm than a few weeks of rain would. Both benefit enormously from being dry when covered. Covering wet furniture traps moisture, whichever material sits underneath. The Wider Sustainability Picture Cover fabric is only one part of the environmental question. Aluminium is fully recyclable at the end of its life, which makes a powder coated aluminium frame one of the more sustainable choices in outdoor furniture. Synthetic rattan sets built on those frames share the same advantage. The bigger factor is longevity. Furniture that stays usable for many seasons, protected over winter, keeps replacement sets out of circulation altogether. A well fitted cover contributes more to that than the fibre it's woven from. If you'd like help matching a cover to a specific set, our team at Chimes Home and Garden can check dimensions against your furniture before you order. Quick Checks Before You Buy Match the cover to the exact set shape and seat count Confirm the fabric is waterproof, not merely shower resistant Look for vents or a breathable construction Check the fixing method suits your site's exposure Ask about UV treatment if the furniture sits in full sun FAQs Are recycled garden furniture covers as waterproof as normal ones? Yes, when the coating is equivalent. Waterproofing comes from the coating or laminate applied to the fabric, and that process works the same way on recycled and virgin polyester. Do eco-friendly covers last as long? A well made recycled cover should give comparable service life. Fabric weight, coating quality, seam construction and UV treatment are the factors that determine longevity. Should I cover aluminium furniture at all? Aluminium can stay outside year round without a cover. Covering it keeps dirt, leaf stains and bird mess off the finish, which means less cleaning and a set that's ready to use straight away in spring. Can a cover damage rattan furniture? Only if it traps moisture or rubs against the weave. Use a breathable cover, make sure the furniture is dry before covering, and check the inner surface is smooth. Do I need to remove covers in summer? Most people do, since furniture in regular use doesn't need covering between sittings. Covers earn their keep through autumn and winter, and during long spells away from home.

    Read Article

    Recycled and Eco-Friendly Garden Furniture Covers: Do They Perform as Well on Rattan and Aluminium?

    Recycled and eco-friendly garden furniture covers can perform just as well as conventional ones, because performance depends on the specification of the finished fabric and not on the origin of the fibre. Recycled polyester behaves much like virgin polyester once it's woven, coated and made up into a cover. What decides whether a cover protects your furniture is the fit, the waterproof treatment, the breathability and the way it's secured. What Actually Determines Cover Performance Five things separate a cover that earns its place from one that causes problems: Fit. A cover shaped for your set sheds water off the top and stays put in the wind. A loose, generic cover collects pools of water and flaps, which wears the fabric and the furniture underneath. Waterproofing. The fabric needs a coating or treatment that keeps rain out across a full winter of heavy weather. Breathability. This is the one most buyers miss. A completely sealed cover traps condensation underneath, which encourages mildew on cushions and leaves a damp film on frames. Vents or a breathable membrane let moisture escape. UV stability. Summer sun degrades untreated fabric quickly. A UV stable cover holds its colour and its strength for years. Fixings. Straps, drawcords, ties or clips keep the cover on the furniture during an autumn gale. Our own garden furniture covers are Weathertex treated and made as cover packs matched to specific set shapes, including L-shaped corner sets, round and rectangular dining sets, cube sets, bistro sets and sun loungers. How Recycled Fabrics Compare Most recycled outdoor covers use rPET, a polyester made from recovered plastic. The recycling process breaks material down to a polymer that can be spun into new yarn, and the resulting fibre performs very closely to virgin polyester on tensile strength, water resistance and UV stability. Two things are worth checking. Fibre length and consistency can vary more in recycled yarn, which occasionally shows up as a slightly less even weave, though this rarely affects durability in a finished cover. And the coating still does the waterproofing work, so a recycled fabric with a weak coating will underperform a conventional one with a good coating every time. In other words, judge the cover on its specification. Ask about the coating, the fabric weight, the UV treatment and the seam construction, and the recycled content becomes a bonus alongside a good product. Do Rattan And Aluminium Need Different Covers? They need the same core qualities, with small differences in emphasis. Rattan benefits most from breathability. Woven strands have more surface area and more small gaps where moisture can sit, so airflow under the cover matters. The weave also catches on rough fabric edges, so smooth inner linings are preferable. Aluminium benefits most from a snug fit with secure fixings. A powder coated finish is already sealed against rain, so a cover is protecting against dirt, bird mess, leaf staining and general debris more than water itself. A cover that flaps against the finish in high wind does more harm than a few weeks of rain would. Both benefit enormously from being dry when covered. Covering wet furniture traps moisture, whichever material sits underneath. The Wider Sustainability Picture Cover fabric is only one part of the environmental question. Aluminium is fully recyclable at the end of its life, which makes a powder coated aluminium frame one of the more sustainable choices in outdoor furniture. Synthetic rattan sets built on those frames share the same advantage. The bigger factor is longevity. Furniture that stays usable for many seasons, protected over winter, keeps replacement sets out of circulation altogether. A well fitted cover contributes more to that than the fibre it's woven from. If you'd like help matching a cover to a specific set, our team at Chimes Home and Garden can check dimensions against your furniture before you order. Quick Checks Before You Buy Match the cover to the exact set shape and seat count Confirm the fabric is waterproof, not merely shower resistant Look for vents or a breathable construction Check the fixing method suits your site's exposure Ask about UV treatment if the furniture sits in full sun FAQs Are recycled garden furniture covers as waterproof as normal ones? Yes, when the coating is equivalent. Waterproofing comes from the coating or laminate applied to the fabric, and that process works the same way on recycled and virgin polyester. Do eco-friendly covers last as long? A well made recycled cover should give comparable service life. Fabric weight, coating quality, seam construction and UV treatment are the factors that determine longevity. Should I cover aluminium furniture at all? Aluminium can stay outside year round without a cover. Covering it keeps dirt, leaf stains and bird mess off the finish, which means less cleaning and a set that's ready to use straight away in spring. Can a cover damage rattan furniture? Only if it traps moisture or rubs against the weave. Use a breathable cover, make sure the furniture is dry before covering, and check the inner surface is smooth. Do I need to remove covers in summer? Most people do, since furniture in regular use doesn't need covering between sittings. Covers earn their keep through autumn and winter, and during long spells away from home.

    Read Article
  • Aluminium Metal Pergola for outside dinning.

    What Warranty and After-Sales Support Should You Expect From a Premium Aluminium Pergola?

    A premium aluminium pergola should come with a clear warranty, published terms you can read before you buy, and a retailer you can still reach for advice, accessories and support long after the structure goes up. At Chimes, our pergolas are covered by a 3-5 year warranty, our full warranty terms are published on our website, and our team supports every pergola from the first quote through to installation and beyond. What The Chimes Pergola Warranty Covers Our 3-5 year pergola warranty gives you cover on the structure you've invested in, backed by a retailer with a showroom you can visit and a team you can call. Every item we sell is inspected multiple times by quality control in each of our factories before it's shipped, so the warranty sits on top of checks that have already happened before your pergola leaves production. Our warranty page also sets out the general terms that apply across our range. Cover isn't applied in cases of misuse, or where an item has been tampered with by a third party, and fair wear and tear falls outside it. Where a faulty item can be exchanged through our suppliers, an exchange is how we resolve it. If a product has since been discontinued and can't be exchanged, a pro rata refund can be offered. You can compare every range in our aluminium pergola collection, from the Torino and Nova Titan through to the Rivaro Solar LED and Rivaro Deluxe motorised models, in sizes from 2.4m x 2.4m up to 6m x 3.6m. The Build Quality Behind The Warranty A warranty reflects how confident a retailer is in the way a product is made, and our pergolas are built for British weather. The frames are fully aluminium, which protects them from rust. The finish is UV protected, so the colour resists sun damage through long summers. The roofs are waterproof, and U-shaped drainage channels carry rainwater away so it doesn't drip into the sheltered space and onto the furniture underneath. That specification is what keeps a pergola looking and working as it should year after year, and it's why the structure needs so little from you to stay in good condition. Optional Protection At Checkout Alongside the warranty, we offer optional protection cover through Loxa when you buy. It protects against accidental stains, accidental damage and structural defects, and it's available to UK residents. Your policy documents, wording and certificate are emailed to you from Loxa after purchase and are held in your Loxa customer portal, so you can access them at any time. To make a claim, you start online through Loxa, keep your purchase receipt to hand, and report the incident within 30 days. Items are repaired or replaced where possible, and where neither is possible, an approved claim is settled as store credit or a monetary payment in line with your policy terms. The warranty and the protection policy answer different questions, so many buyers choose to have both. Installation Support We offer nationwide installation on our pergolas. Get in touch with our team and we'll give you a quote alongside the pergola itself. Having the structure installed by a team that knows our ranges means it's assembled and positioned correctly from day one, with the roof, drainage and any accessories working exactly as designed. It also gives you a single point of contact for the whole project, from the first conversation to the finished structure. After-Sales Support From Chimes Two years after installation, most questions are practical ones. You might want to add a heater for autumn evenings, fit side panels on the windward side, or enclose the space with sliding doors. Our pergola accessories are made for our own ranges, so later additions fit the structure you already have and match its finish. Our team is always on hand to provide advice and support, both before and after a purchase. You can reach us on 01268 219969 or by email at sales@chimeshomeandgarden.co.uk. You can also visit Chimes Home and Garden at our showroom in Laindon, Essex, where multiple pergola models are on display with side screens, panels and accessories fitted, so you can see how each feature works in real life. The showroom is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Ongoing care is simple. A gentle wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge is all an aluminium pergola needs to keep looking its best. FAQs How long is the warranty on a Chimes pergola? Our pergolas are covered by a 3-5 year warranty. Full terms are published on our warranty page, and our team can talk you through them before you buy. What isn't covered by the Chimes warranty? Cover isn't applied in cases of misuse or where an item has been tampered with by a third party, and fair wear and tear falls outside the warranty. What happens if part of my pergola is faulty? Where a faulty item can be exchanged through our suppliers, we arrange an exchange. If the product has been discontinued and can't be exchanged, a pro rata refund can be offered. Is accidental damage covered? Accidental damage is covered by the optional Loxa protection policy, which you can add at checkout. It covers accidental stains, accidental damage and structural defects. Can Chimes install my pergola? Yes. We offer nationwide installation, and our team will provide a quote when you get in touch. Can I see a pergola before I buy? Yes. Our Essex showroom has multiple pergola models on display with side screens, panels and accessories, so you can compare styles, finishes and configurations in person.

    Read Article

    What Warranty and After-Sales Support Should You Expect From a Premium Aluminium Pergola?

    A premium aluminium pergola should come with a clear warranty, published terms you can read before you buy, and a retailer you can still reach for advice, accessories and support long after the structure goes up. At Chimes, our pergolas are covered by a 3-5 year warranty, our full warranty terms are published on our website, and our team supports every pergola from the first quote through to installation and beyond. What The Chimes Pergola Warranty Covers Our 3-5 year pergola warranty gives you cover on the structure you've invested in, backed by a retailer with a showroom you can visit and a team you can call. Every item we sell is inspected multiple times by quality control in each of our factories before it's shipped, so the warranty sits on top of checks that have already happened before your pergola leaves production. Our warranty page also sets out the general terms that apply across our range. Cover isn't applied in cases of misuse, or where an item has been tampered with by a third party, and fair wear and tear falls outside it. Where a faulty item can be exchanged through our suppliers, an exchange is how we resolve it. If a product has since been discontinued and can't be exchanged, a pro rata refund can be offered. You can compare every range in our aluminium pergola collection, from the Torino and Nova Titan through to the Rivaro Solar LED and Rivaro Deluxe motorised models, in sizes from 2.4m x 2.4m up to 6m x 3.6m. The Build Quality Behind The Warranty A warranty reflects how confident a retailer is in the way a product is made, and our pergolas are built for British weather. The frames are fully aluminium, which protects them from rust. The finish is UV protected, so the colour resists sun damage through long summers. The roofs are waterproof, and U-shaped drainage channels carry rainwater away so it doesn't drip into the sheltered space and onto the furniture underneath. That specification is what keeps a pergola looking and working as it should year after year, and it's why the structure needs so little from you to stay in good condition. Optional Protection At Checkout Alongside the warranty, we offer optional protection cover through Loxa when you buy. It protects against accidental stains, accidental damage and structural defects, and it's available to UK residents. Your policy documents, wording and certificate are emailed to you from Loxa after purchase and are held in your Loxa customer portal, so you can access them at any time. To make a claim, you start online through Loxa, keep your purchase receipt to hand, and report the incident within 30 days. Items are repaired or replaced where possible, and where neither is possible, an approved claim is settled as store credit or a monetary payment in line with your policy terms. The warranty and the protection policy answer different questions, so many buyers choose to have both. Installation Support We offer nationwide installation on our pergolas. Get in touch with our team and we'll give you a quote alongside the pergola itself. Having the structure installed by a team that knows our ranges means it's assembled and positioned correctly from day one, with the roof, drainage and any accessories working exactly as designed. It also gives you a single point of contact for the whole project, from the first conversation to the finished structure. After-Sales Support From Chimes Two years after installation, most questions are practical ones. You might want to add a heater for autumn evenings, fit side panels on the windward side, or enclose the space with sliding doors. Our pergola accessories are made for our own ranges, so later additions fit the structure you already have and match its finish. Our team is always on hand to provide advice and support, both before and after a purchase. You can reach us on 01268 219969 or by email at sales@chimeshomeandgarden.co.uk. You can also visit Chimes Home and Garden at our showroom in Laindon, Essex, where multiple pergola models are on display with side screens, panels and accessories fitted, so you can see how each feature works in real life. The showroom is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Ongoing care is simple. A gentle wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge is all an aluminium pergola needs to keep looking its best. FAQs How long is the warranty on a Chimes pergola? Our pergolas are covered by a 3-5 year warranty. Full terms are published on our warranty page, and our team can talk you through them before you buy. What isn't covered by the Chimes warranty? Cover isn't applied in cases of misuse or where an item has been tampered with by a third party, and fair wear and tear falls outside the warranty. What happens if part of my pergola is faulty? Where a faulty item can be exchanged through our suppliers, we arrange an exchange. If the product has been discontinued and can't be exchanged, a pro rata refund can be offered. Is accidental damage covered? Accidental damage is covered by the optional Loxa protection policy, which you can add at checkout. It covers accidental stains, accidental damage and structural defects. Can Chimes install my pergola? Yes. We offer nationwide installation, and our team will provide a quote when you get in touch. Can I see a pergola before I buy? Yes. Our Essex showroom has multiple pergola models on display with side screens, panels and accessories, so you can compare styles, finishes and configurations in person.

    Read Article
  • Elegant outdoor dining area under a wooden pergola surrounded by lush greenery in a serene garden

    Modular Pergola Systems Explained: How to Expand a Pergola Over Time

    A modular pergola system is an aluminium structure designed so that panels, screens, doors, lighting and heating can be added after the original installation. You start with the frame and roof, then build the space up in stages, at whatever pace suits you and as you learn how you actually use the space. The key is choosing a range that carries a full accessory line, because the additions have to be engineered for that specific frame. What Makes A Pergola Modular Three features define a modular system. The frame uses a consistent post and beam profile across the range, so accessories mount to a known fixing point. The roof operates independently of the walls, which means adding side protection later doesn't affect how the louvres open, close or drain. And the manufacturer produces matching components in the same finish, so an addition made two years later still looks like part of the original structure. At Chimes Home and Garden, our aluminium pergola ranges are built this way, with sizes from 2.4m x 2.4m up to 6m x 3.6m and a full accessory line behind them. A Sensible Order For Expansion Most gardens follow a similar sequence, because each stage solves the problem the previous one revealed. Stage one: the structure itself. Frame, posts and roof. A louvred roof lets you angle the slats for shade on a hot afternoon and close them fully for shelter when the weather turns. Drainage channels in the frame carry water away down the posts. Stage two: wind and privacy. After a season you'll know which side the wind comes from and where you're overlooked. Side panels and pull down screens deal with both, and they're usually the first addition people make. Stage three: warmth and light. Integrated LED lighting and mounted heaters extend the evenings into spring and autumn. Solar LED and motorised options handle the lighting side within the roof structure itself. Stage four: full enclosure. Sliding doors turn a sheltered structure into an outdoor room you can use in most weather. This is the biggest single change to how the space feels and works. Stage five: the fit out. Furniture, an outdoor TV, an outdoor kitchen or a BBQ zone underneath. Our full range of pergola accessories covers the screens, panels, doors and heaters that make up the earlier stages. Plan The First Installation With Expansion In Mind Decisions made on day one either open up the later stages or close them off. Size up, not down. Extending a frame later is far harder than buying a slightly larger footprint now. Think about the furniture that will sit underneath, plus circulation space around it. Plan for your power needs. Lighting and motorised roofs may have different power requirements depending on the pergola system. Chimes pergolas use a solar-charged battery housed in the pergola leg, so no mains supply is needed for these features. If you plan to add a heater, however, check its power requirements and make any necessary arrangements before installation. Check the base. A level, solid base under every post keeps the frame square and makes later additions fit as designed. Confirm the accessory line exists. Before you commit, check that screens, panels, doors and heaters are made for that exact range. Keep the paperwork. Model, size and finish codes make ordering a matching panel much simpler two years on. What To Confirm Before You Add A Component When the time comes to expand, three questions save most of the problems. Does the component fit your exact frame size and model, since a 3m bay and a 3.6m bay need different panels. Does fitting it require the roof to be adjusted or partially dismantled, which affects whether you want professional installation. And does adding it change how the structure handles wind, which matters most with full height panels and doors on exposed sites. At Chimes, we offer nationwide installation and our team can quote for both the original structure and later additions, so the same specification runs through the whole project. FAQs Can you add side panels to a pergola after installation? Yes, provided the pergola was designed to accept them. Modular aluminium systems have mounting points built into the posts, so panels and screens fit to the existing frame without structural changes. Can you extend a pergola to make it bigger? No. The size you purchase is the size you will receive, and the pergola cannot be expanded once it has been installed and fitted. When choosing your pergola, it is therefore important to consider how much space you want to cover and select a suitable size from the outset.  Do pergola accessories from different brands fit together? Rarely. Post profiles, fixing points and finishes vary between manufacturers, so components are designed for their own range. Buying the structure and its accessories from one source keeps everything compatible. Does adding screens or doors affect drainage? No. On a well designed aluminium pergola, water runs through channels in the roof and down the posts, and side components sit outside that path. How long does it take to fit an accessory? Most screens and panels are a single visit job. Sliding doors and motorised components take longer and benefit from professional installation, which also keeps the fitting consistent with the original build. Is it cheaper to buy everything at once? Not necessarily, though it does save on repeat installation visits. Building in stages spreads the cost and lets each addition respond to how you've actually used the space, which often produces a better result.

    Read Article

    Modular Pergola Systems Explained: How to Expand a Pergola Over Time

    A modular pergola system is an aluminium structure designed so that panels, screens, doors, lighting and heating can be added after the original installation. You start with the frame and roof, then build the space up in stages, at whatever pace suits you and as you learn how you actually use the space. The key is choosing a range that carries a full accessory line, because the additions have to be engineered for that specific frame. What Makes A Pergola Modular Three features define a modular system. The frame uses a consistent post and beam profile across the range, so accessories mount to a known fixing point. The roof operates independently of the walls, which means adding side protection later doesn't affect how the louvres open, close or drain. And the manufacturer produces matching components in the same finish, so an addition made two years later still looks like part of the original structure. At Chimes Home and Garden, our aluminium pergola ranges are built this way, with sizes from 2.4m x 2.4m up to 6m x 3.6m and a full accessory line behind them. A Sensible Order For Expansion Most gardens follow a similar sequence, because each stage solves the problem the previous one revealed. Stage one: the structure itself. Frame, posts and roof. A louvred roof lets you angle the slats for shade on a hot afternoon and close them fully for shelter when the weather turns. Drainage channels in the frame carry water away down the posts. Stage two: wind and privacy. After a season you'll know which side the wind comes from and where you're overlooked. Side panels and pull down screens deal with both, and they're usually the first addition people make. Stage three: warmth and light. Integrated LED lighting and mounted heaters extend the evenings into spring and autumn. Solar LED and motorised options handle the lighting side within the roof structure itself. Stage four: full enclosure. Sliding doors turn a sheltered structure into an outdoor room you can use in most weather. This is the biggest single change to how the space feels and works. Stage five: the fit out. Furniture, an outdoor TV, an outdoor kitchen or a BBQ zone underneath. Our full range of pergola accessories covers the screens, panels, doors and heaters that make up the earlier stages. Plan The First Installation With Expansion In Mind Decisions made on day one either open up the later stages or close them off. Size up, not down. Extending a frame later is far harder than buying a slightly larger footprint now. Think about the furniture that will sit underneath, plus circulation space around it. Plan for your power needs. Lighting and motorised roofs may have different power requirements depending on the pergola system. Chimes pergolas use a solar-charged battery housed in the pergola leg, so no mains supply is needed for these features. If you plan to add a heater, however, check its power requirements and make any necessary arrangements before installation. Check the base. A level, solid base under every post keeps the frame square and makes later additions fit as designed. Confirm the accessory line exists. Before you commit, check that screens, panels, doors and heaters are made for that exact range. Keep the paperwork. Model, size and finish codes make ordering a matching panel much simpler two years on. What To Confirm Before You Add A Component When the time comes to expand, three questions save most of the problems. Does the component fit your exact frame size and model, since a 3m bay and a 3.6m bay need different panels. Does fitting it require the roof to be adjusted or partially dismantled, which affects whether you want professional installation. And does adding it change how the structure handles wind, which matters most with full height panels and doors on exposed sites. At Chimes, we offer nationwide installation and our team can quote for both the original structure and later additions, so the same specification runs through the whole project. FAQs Can you add side panels to a pergola after installation? Yes, provided the pergola was designed to accept them. Modular aluminium systems have mounting points built into the posts, so panels and screens fit to the existing frame without structural changes. Can you extend a pergola to make it bigger? No. The size you purchase is the size you will receive, and the pergola cannot be expanded once it has been installed and fitted. When choosing your pergola, it is therefore important to consider how much space you want to cover and select a suitable size from the outset.  Do pergola accessories from different brands fit together? Rarely. Post profiles, fixing points and finishes vary between manufacturers, so components are designed for their own range. Buying the structure and its accessories from one source keeps everything compatible. Does adding screens or doors affect drainage? No. On a well designed aluminium pergola, water runs through channels in the roof and down the posts, and side components sit outside that path. How long does it take to fit an accessory? Most screens and panels are a single visit job. Sliding doors and motorised components take longer and benefit from professional installation, which also keeps the fitting consistent with the original build. Is it cheaper to buy everything at once? Not necessarily, though it does save on repeat installation visits. Building in stages spreads the cost and lets each addition respond to how you've actually used the space, which often produces a better result.

    Read Article
  • Rooftop garden oasis with Rattan Framed Corner Sofas

    Aluminium-Framed vs Rattan-Framed Corner Sofas: Which Offers Better Long-Term Support?

    Aluminium and rattan corner sofas offer very similar long term support, because a rattan corner sofa is a woven surface over an aluminium frame. Support comes from the frame section, the joints, the base platform and the cushions, and those four things are what separate a sofa that still sits level after five summers from one that doesn't. The weave you can see is the finish, and the structure is underneath it. What Support Means In An Outdoor Corner Sofa Support in this context covers three things. The seat should stay at a consistent height across every module, the frame should stay square so the corner doesn't open up over time, and the cushions should keep their shape and depth through repeated use. A corner sofa asks more of a frame than a dining set does. The modules carry weight across a wider span, people sit and lie across them in different positions, and the corner section joins two runs that pull against each other. Where The Support Actually Comes From The frame section. Thicker walled aluminium tubing resists flex across a long run of seating. This is the single biggest factor in how a corner sofa feels after a few years. The joints and welds. Clean, continuous welds at the corners keep the frame square. Poorly finished joints are where movement starts. The base platform. The seat base needs a solid deck or a tightly woven panel to carry the cushion evenly across its full width. The feet. Proper feet lift the frame clear of wet paving and let the sofa sit flat on uneven ground, which keeps the load spread across the whole frame. The cushions. Depth and filling density determine how the seat feels day to day, and resilient filling keeps that feel consistent through the season. How The Two Compare Over Time An aluminium corner sofa gives you the frame with a sleek finish applied directly to the metal. Nothing sits between you and the structure, and the powder coated surface is easy to inspect and easy to clean. A rattan corner sofa gives you the same aluminium structure with an HDPE weave over it. The weave adds surface texture and a softer look. It doesn't reduce the frame's strength, and on the base panels it can spread cushion load evenly across the seat. Over a decade of outdoor use, the differences that show up are cosmetic, and a well built frame holds its shape throughout. Powder coating holds its colour with almost no attention. Rattan weave holds its colour well when the strands are UV stabilised, and it hides the small marks that a busy garden produces. Our full range of garden corner sofa sets is built on aluminium frames in both finishes, with left hand and right hand layouts. Checks Worth Making Before You Buy Press down firmly on the middle of a long seat run and look for flex in the frame. Push the corner module gently sideways. It should feel rigid with no twist. Lift one end and feel the weight. Substantial frames feel substantial. Look underneath at the base panel and the welds, since the visible weave tells you little. Measure cushion depth with your hand. Generous, resilient filling holds its shape far better than thin foam. Sit in it properly for a few minutes, in the position you'd actually use. Modular Layouts Change The Question Many corner sets are modular, which means individual pieces can be moved, separated or added to. That flexibility is useful in a garden where the layout evolves, though it places more importance on the connecting hardware and on each module sitting level on its own feet. If you plan to reconfigure a set regularly, check how the modules connect and how easily they realign. If the sofa will stay in one arrangement permanently, the frame and cushion specification matter more than the connection system. At Chimes, our showroom teams see which sets come back for cushions and which don't, so it's worth asking direct questions about a specific range before you decide. You can see the full outdoor collection at Chimes Home and Garden, and our advisors are happy to walk you through the construction of any set on display. FAQs Are rattan corner sofas built on aluminium frames? Quality ones are. The weave is a surface finish applied over a powder coated aluminium structure, which is why good rattan sets can stay outside through a British winter. Which frame lasts longer outdoors? Both last well, because both are aluminium. Aluminium can't rust, so the practical lifespan comes down to the thickness of the frame, the quality of the welds and how well the finish resists UV. Do corner sofa cushions need storing over winter? Yes. Even shower resistant covers benefit from dry storage between uses. A waterproof storage box on the patio keeps them close to hand without bringing them indoors. What causes a corner sofa to feel less supportive over time? Usually cushion compression. Frame movement is far less common on a sound aluminium build. Cushions with denser, more resilient filling hold their shape longer, and replacement cushions can refresh a sound frame. Can you leave a corner sofa on grass or gravel? You can, though a level, solid surface keeps the frame square and stops the feet sinking. If the sofa sits on gravel, check periodically that all feet are still taking weight evenly.

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    Aluminium-Framed vs Rattan-Framed Corner Sofas: Which Offers Better Long-Term Support?

    Aluminium and rattan corner sofas offer very similar long term support, because a rattan corner sofa is a woven surface over an aluminium frame. Support comes from the frame section, the joints, the base platform and the cushions, and those four things are what separate a sofa that still sits level after five summers from one that doesn't. The weave you can see is the finish, and the structure is underneath it. What Support Means In An Outdoor Corner Sofa Support in this context covers three things. The seat should stay at a consistent height across every module, the frame should stay square so the corner doesn't open up over time, and the cushions should keep their shape and depth through repeated use. A corner sofa asks more of a frame than a dining set does. The modules carry weight across a wider span, people sit and lie across them in different positions, and the corner section joins two runs that pull against each other. Where The Support Actually Comes From The frame section. Thicker walled aluminium tubing resists flex across a long run of seating. This is the single biggest factor in how a corner sofa feels after a few years. The joints and welds. Clean, continuous welds at the corners keep the frame square. Poorly finished joints are where movement starts. The base platform. The seat base needs a solid deck or a tightly woven panel to carry the cushion evenly across its full width. The feet. Proper feet lift the frame clear of wet paving and let the sofa sit flat on uneven ground, which keeps the load spread across the whole frame. The cushions. Depth and filling density determine how the seat feels day to day, and resilient filling keeps that feel consistent through the season. How The Two Compare Over Time An aluminium corner sofa gives you the frame with a sleek finish applied directly to the metal. Nothing sits between you and the structure, and the powder coated surface is easy to inspect and easy to clean. A rattan corner sofa gives you the same aluminium structure with an HDPE weave over it. The weave adds surface texture and a softer look. It doesn't reduce the frame's strength, and on the base panels it can spread cushion load evenly across the seat. Over a decade of outdoor use, the differences that show up are cosmetic, and a well built frame holds its shape throughout. Powder coating holds its colour with almost no attention. Rattan weave holds its colour well when the strands are UV stabilised, and it hides the small marks that a busy garden produces. Our full range of garden corner sofa sets is built on aluminium frames in both finishes, with left hand and right hand layouts. Checks Worth Making Before You Buy Press down firmly on the middle of a long seat run and look for flex in the frame. Push the corner module gently sideways. It should feel rigid with no twist. Lift one end and feel the weight. Substantial frames feel substantial. Look underneath at the base panel and the welds, since the visible weave tells you little. Measure cushion depth with your hand. Generous, resilient filling holds its shape far better than thin foam. Sit in it properly for a few minutes, in the position you'd actually use. Modular Layouts Change The Question Many corner sets are modular, which means individual pieces can be moved, separated or added to. That flexibility is useful in a garden where the layout evolves, though it places more importance on the connecting hardware and on each module sitting level on its own feet. If you plan to reconfigure a set regularly, check how the modules connect and how easily they realign. If the sofa will stay in one arrangement permanently, the frame and cushion specification matter more than the connection system. At Chimes, our showroom teams see which sets come back for cushions and which don't, so it's worth asking direct questions about a specific range before you decide. You can see the full outdoor collection at Chimes Home and Garden, and our advisors are happy to walk you through the construction of any set on display. FAQs Are rattan corner sofas built on aluminium frames? Quality ones are. The weave is a surface finish applied over a powder coated aluminium structure, which is why good rattan sets can stay outside through a British winter. Which frame lasts longer outdoors? Both last well, because both are aluminium. Aluminium can't rust, so the practical lifespan comes down to the thickness of the frame, the quality of the welds and how well the finish resists UV. Do corner sofa cushions need storing over winter? Yes. Even shower resistant covers benefit from dry storage between uses. A waterproof storage box on the patio keeps them close to hand without bringing them indoors. What causes a corner sofa to feel less supportive over time? Usually cushion compression. Frame movement is far less common on a sound aluminium build. Cushions with denser, more resilient filling hold their shape longer, and replacement cushions can refresh a sound frame. Can you leave a corner sofa on grass or gravel? You can, though a level, solid surface keeps the frame square and stops the feet sinking. If the sofa sits on gravel, check periodically that all feet are still taking weight evenly.

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  • Garden lounge, outdoor furniture and countryside house patio decor in a country cottage style

    What Is PE Rattan and Why Is It Used for Garden Furniture?

    Walk through any garden in summer and there's a good chance you'll spot a rattan sofa on the patio. Woven furniture has a relaxed, warm look that suits British gardens beautifully. Most of the rattan furniture you see outdoors today, though, isn't made from the natural material at all. It's made from PE rattan, a synthetic weave designed specifically to live outside. If you'd like a broader introduction first, our article on what rattan furniture is covers the history and the different styles. Here, we'll focus on PE rattan itself and why it's become the material of choice for garden furniture. Why Natural Rattan Struggles Outdoors Natural rattan comes from climbing palms that grow in tropical forests. The stems are strong, flexible and beautiful when woven, which is why rattan has been used in furniture for centuries. It's a wonderful material indoors, in a conservatory or a covered porch. Left outside in the UK, it struggles. Natural rattan absorbs moisture, which can lead to swelling, mould and rot, and strong sunlight dries it out and fades the colour. That's why natural rattan garden furniture needs to be brought indoors for much of the year. What PE Rattan Actually Is PE rattan is made from polyethylene, a durable plastic that's extruded into long strands. These strands can be made flat, round or half round, in almost any colour, and they're woven by hand around a frame in the same way natural rattan would be. The key detail is the grade of polyethylene used. High density polyethylene, known as HDPE, is the premium choice. It's flexible, strong and resistant to UV light, which is why it holds its colour and doesn't turn brittle in the cold. Our rattan sets are made with durable, high quality HDPE rattan woven over rust-proof, powder coated aluminium frames. Why It Suits Garden Furniture PE rattan brings together the look of natural rattan with the practicality of a modern outdoor material. It's weather resistant. The strands don't absorb water, so rain simply runs off and frost has nothing to expand into. It holds its colour. UV stabilised HDPE keeps its tone through long summers of direct sun. It's easy to care for. A wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush is all it needs. It's comfortable. The woven surface has a slight give, and it pairs beautifully with deep cushions. It's lightweight. Combined with an aluminium frame, it makes sets easy to rearrange for different occasions. Flat Weave And Round Weave PE rattan comes in different profiles, and each gives furniture a distinct character. Flat weave uses flat strands that sit neatly against each other, creating a clean, contemporary finish. Our Chimes Stone Grey range uses a flat weave. Round weave uses rounded strands that give a fuller, more textured look, closer to traditional wicker. Our Chimes Prestige Grey & Sandstone range uses a round weave for a set with real presence on the patio. Mixed tones, where strands of slightly different shades are woven together, add depth and help hide everyday marks. You'll find flat, round and mixed tone designs across our range of stylish woven furniture for gardens, in dining sets, corner sofas, cube sets, daybeds and sun loungers. Choosing A Colour Because the strands are manufactured, PE rattan comes in a very wide choice of colours. Greys suit contemporary gardens and modern paving, browns and natural tones sit beautifully against planting and brickwork, and paler shades keep a small courtyard feeling light and open. It's worth holding a sample against your paving and your house before deciding, since outdoor light changes colours more than you'd expect. Darker weaves hide everyday marks well, while lighter weaves show off cushions and accessories. How To Recognise Good PE Rattan When you're choosing a set, a few quick checks will tell you a lot about the quality of the weave. Look for even colour and thickness across the strands. Check that the weave is tight, with no gaps, loose ends or sharp edges. Press the weave gently. It should feel firm but slightly flexible, never stiff or brittle. Then look underneath to confirm the frame is aluminium, since the frame is what gives the set its strength and longevity. Caring For PE Rattan PE rattan needs very little from you. Brush off leaves and dust as needed, and give it a wash with warm soapy water a couple of times a year. Rinse with clean water and let it dry in the air. Cushions are best stored somewhere dry when they're not in use, and a fitted cover over winter keeps the set clean and ready for spring. With that simple routine, a well made PE rattan set will look good in your garden for many summers. Is PE Rattan Comfortable All Year? PE rattan is comfortable in every season. It doesn't hold heat the way a solid metal surface can, so it's pleasant to sit against on a warm afternoon, and it doesn't feel cold and damp in spring the way untreated timber sometimes does. Add cushions for everyday use and throws for cooler evenings, and a rattan set becomes somewhere you'll happily sit from April right through to October. PE Rattan And Sustainability Longevity is one of the most sustainable qualities a piece of furniture can have. A well made PE rattan set that lasts for many summers keeps replacement furniture out of circulation, and the aluminium frames beneath our sets are fully recyclable at the end of their lives. Bringing PE Rattan Home If you're ready to bring a rattan set into your garden, we deliver nationwide. Our team is always happy to help you choose the weave, colour and layout that suit your outdoor space - just give us a call on 01268 219969 or visit us in-store for a chat.

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    What Is PE Rattan and Why Is It Used for Garden Furniture?

    Walk through any garden in summer and there's a good chance you'll spot a rattan sofa on the patio. Woven furniture has a relaxed, warm look that suits British gardens beautifully. Most of the rattan furniture you see outdoors today, though, isn't made from the natural material at all. It's made from PE rattan, a synthetic weave designed specifically to live outside. If you'd like a broader introduction first, our article on what rattan furniture is covers the history and the different styles. Here, we'll focus on PE rattan itself and why it's become the material of choice for garden furniture. Why Natural Rattan Struggles Outdoors Natural rattan comes from climbing palms that grow in tropical forests. The stems are strong, flexible and beautiful when woven, which is why rattan has been used in furniture for centuries. It's a wonderful material indoors, in a conservatory or a covered porch. Left outside in the UK, it struggles. Natural rattan absorbs moisture, which can lead to swelling, mould and rot, and strong sunlight dries it out and fades the colour. That's why natural rattan garden furniture needs to be brought indoors for much of the year. What PE Rattan Actually Is PE rattan is made from polyethylene, a durable plastic that's extruded into long strands. These strands can be made flat, round or half round, in almost any colour, and they're woven by hand around a frame in the same way natural rattan would be. The key detail is the grade of polyethylene used. High density polyethylene, known as HDPE, is the premium choice. It's flexible, strong and resistant to UV light, which is why it holds its colour and doesn't turn brittle in the cold. Our rattan sets are made with durable, high quality HDPE rattan woven over rust-proof, powder coated aluminium frames. Why It Suits Garden Furniture PE rattan brings together the look of natural rattan with the practicality of a modern outdoor material. It's weather resistant. The strands don't absorb water, so rain simply runs off and frost has nothing to expand into. It holds its colour. UV stabilised HDPE keeps its tone through long summers of direct sun. It's easy to care for. A wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush is all it needs. It's comfortable. The woven surface has a slight give, and it pairs beautifully with deep cushions. It's lightweight. Combined with an aluminium frame, it makes sets easy to rearrange for different occasions. Flat Weave And Round Weave PE rattan comes in different profiles, and each gives furniture a distinct character. Flat weave uses flat strands that sit neatly against each other, creating a clean, contemporary finish. Our Chimes Stone Grey range uses a flat weave. Round weave uses rounded strands that give a fuller, more textured look, closer to traditional wicker. Our Chimes Prestige Grey & Sandstone range uses a round weave for a set with real presence on the patio. Mixed tones, where strands of slightly different shades are woven together, add depth and help hide everyday marks. You'll find flat, round and mixed tone designs across our range of stylish woven furniture for gardens, in dining sets, corner sofas, cube sets, daybeds and sun loungers. Choosing A Colour Because the strands are manufactured, PE rattan comes in a very wide choice of colours. Greys suit contemporary gardens and modern paving, browns and natural tones sit beautifully against planting and brickwork, and paler shades keep a small courtyard feeling light and open. It's worth holding a sample against your paving and your house before deciding, since outdoor light changes colours more than you'd expect. Darker weaves hide everyday marks well, while lighter weaves show off cushions and accessories. How To Recognise Good PE Rattan When you're choosing a set, a few quick checks will tell you a lot about the quality of the weave. Look for even colour and thickness across the strands. Check that the weave is tight, with no gaps, loose ends or sharp edges. Press the weave gently. It should feel firm but slightly flexible, never stiff or brittle. Then look underneath to confirm the frame is aluminium, since the frame is what gives the set its strength and longevity. Caring For PE Rattan PE rattan needs very little from you. Brush off leaves and dust as needed, and give it a wash with warm soapy water a couple of times a year. Rinse with clean water and let it dry in the air. Cushions are best stored somewhere dry when they're not in use, and a fitted cover over winter keeps the set clean and ready for spring. With that simple routine, a well made PE rattan set will look good in your garden for many summers. Is PE Rattan Comfortable All Year? PE rattan is comfortable in every season. It doesn't hold heat the way a solid metal surface can, so it's pleasant to sit against on a warm afternoon, and it doesn't feel cold and damp in spring the way untreated timber sometimes does. Add cushions for everyday use and throws for cooler evenings, and a rattan set becomes somewhere you'll happily sit from April right through to October. PE Rattan And Sustainability Longevity is one of the most sustainable qualities a piece of furniture can have. A well made PE rattan set that lasts for many summers keeps replacement furniture out of circulation, and the aluminium frames beneath our sets are fully recyclable at the end of their lives. Bringing PE Rattan Home If you're ready to bring a rattan set into your garden, we deliver nationwide. Our team is always happy to help you choose the weave, colour and layout that suit your outdoor space - just give us a call on 01268 219969 or visit us in-store for a chat.

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Based in Laindon, Essex, Chimes Home & Garden has everything you could need for your home and garden. We specialise in outdoor furniture, offering a huge range of stylish and practical garden products - including pergolas!

We also offer a wide selection of home interior products, including furniture,lighting, decoration and much more.

Come visit our showroom to browse our ranges and see for yourselves!

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