Materials

SUNBRELLA™ FABRIC LOUNGE

Westminster work with Sunbrella™, a fabric made of acrylic fibres with pigmentation added prior to extrusion, offering the rich look and feel of cotton. It will not fade or degrade and comes with a 5 year guarantee. Even in the harshest climates, Sunbrella™ provides years of care free service guaranteed against the elements. It can be cleaned with water, bleach solution or by careful use of a high pressure washer.

All fabric lounge furniture and cushions are required by UK law to conform to UK Domestic Fire Regulations BS5852 Part 1 & Part 2. A specialized FR treatment is applied to both the quick dry foam filling and the Sunbrella™ fabric during manufacture. This process means that the furniture/cushions are up to 3 times heavier than non-treated products. This keeps the furniture and cushions stable in windy conditions and additionally ensures the fabric is tauter than a non fire treated cushion, which results in fewer fabric wrinkles. Depending on the filling density of your chosen cushion, visible wrinkles vary from cushion to cushion, however these reduce when exposed to rain and sun. Westminster only use superior Sunbrella™ fabric in the manufacture of our fabric products and are exclusive suppliers of the unique Sunbrella™ “In & Out” range of Stone, Slate, Natural, Beige, Grey & Blue Sunbrella™ fabrics with flecked lines applied giving more depth and appeal to the eye.

Sunbrella™ cushions when new can appear to be firm due to the fire retardant treatment. After use and water permutation the cushions soften. Please Note: Westminster fabrics do not promote mould or mildew growth, however, mould will grow on dirt or dust and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. Mould will obtain moisture from the air when the air is very damp. Prepare a solution of 1 cup of thick bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per 5 litres of water, spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes. Clean the entire surface area with a sponge, clean cloth or very soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and let air dry. For severe mould/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased. It is best to clean the entire surface area of the fabric to avoid water rings and stains. Alternatively we recommend careful use of a high pressure washer in collaboration with a bleach solution for stubborn stains. Please note: Westminster cannot be held responsible for mould or mildew growth on cushions as these conditions are out of our control.

Products using dark stitching in particular will bleach to a white colour due to UV light. Sunbrella™ fabric is all the same colour however when viewing from different angles the fleck of the fabric shades can differ from lighter to darker shades which is typical of all fabrics.

ESSENTIALS RANGE

Brand new for 2022, the Essential Collection features products manufactured using an all-weather fabric, a 100% solution dyed acrylic with similar properties to Sunbrella™ fabric. In addition, by using a slightly thinner powder coated aluminium structure, the Essential Collection allows us to achieve a more competitive price range without compromising on overall strength and quality. Fabric colour options are in Light Grey or Slate only.

QUICK DRY FOAM

Westminster use an advanced, high-performance foam designed specifically for outdoor cushions and furniture. The porous open-cell structure allows water to drain rapidly and fresh air to circulate freely in typical spring summer days your furniture will be dry within 30 mins – 1 hour. PLEASE NOTE: Sunbrella™ cushions when new can appear to be firm due to the fire retardant treatment. After use and water permutation the cushions will soften. Excessive use can cause foam to give.

WOVEN

All our weave furniture is hand woven using a fine 2.5mm round Viro® fibre, a premium synthetic Polyethylene material. Highly flexible, UV and weather resistant, this fibre is designed to be insensitive to temperature differences. All Westminster resin weave furniture is easy to keep clean and virtually maintenance free. Please note: whilst every effort is made to keep water from entering our cushion boxes, a minimal amount of water will permeate through small openings in the internal Perspex protection layer, especially in severe weather conditions. In this case, simply take out any damp cushions and allow to air dry naturally.

STAINLESS STEEL

We use 304 grade Stainless Steel in our products. Containing a minimum of 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel it retains structure at all temperatures. 304 grade is the most widely used of all Stainless Steels. Its chemical composition, mechanical properties, weld ability and oxidation resistance provide the best all-round performance. This material can show signs of staining or discolouration over time (commonly referred to as “tea staining”). This is purely cosmetic. We recommend using a Stainless Steel cleaner which removes the oxidisation and restores the metals natural glossy finish. Cleaning will be necessary more regularly in coastal areas due to salt exposure.

CERAMIC

Westminster ceramic effect table tops are made with 5mm tempered glass which ensures maximum strength and durability. The ceramic effect surface is highly resistant to scratches, UV, high and low temperatures. The tables tops are also hygienic and very easy to clean, with almost zero water absorption making them frost and weather proof. Although dirt cannot penetrate the ceramic surface, we do recommended cleaning the surface in order to prevent the build-up of grease and contaminants with warm water and mild detergents.

Ceramic effect glass table tops include a treatment to help expel water from the surface. These require retreating once a year with a thin layer of WD40 applied with a dry cloth, which also elevates any blemishes.

GLASS

Westminster glass is toughened safety glass with a pebble textured finish designed for use outdoors. Only water should be used to clean pebble glass tops. DO NOT use household detergents which can react against the pebble finish. Pebble glass will fade over time. When water-soluble salts are carried to the surface by water, which evaporates and leaves a powdery salt deposit on the surface. We called this white staining “efflorescence” which should be allowed to weather away naturally especially on new tops. Any deposit remaining can be removed or reduced by treatment with clean cold water. Since the deposits are water soluble, washing down may result in the solution being partially re-absorbed. This may be minimized by using a clean damp sponge, which should be rinsed frequently in clean water. Chemical methods should never be used for the removal of efflorescence. Frosted Glass will eventually fade over time especially the outer edges which are most exposed to the elements.

Toughened glass can shatter is some circumstances but is a rare occurrence. These products are designed with safety in mind and are made from thermally toughened safety glass to minimise potential injuries. Toughened glass is designed to shatter into lots of small granular pieces when damaged to reduce the risk of injury. Toughened glass is also stronger and more resistant than normal glass, which is why it is commonly used in products like car windows, shower screens, glass cookware and furniture. In rare instances, if toughened glass is damaged, for example knocks, chips, scratches or heat it can lead to the glass breaking seemingly of its own accord. Damage to glass is not always visible and can get worse over time until it reaches a critical point when it may shatter. This is not a fault with the product or design, this is how toughened glass is intended to behave. In addition an uncommon, but unavoidable reason for glass breaking is nickel-sulfide (NiS) inclusions. These tiny particles can get trapped in glass during manufacturing. In toughened glass they sometimes expand slowly and can reach a point where they cause the glass to break. Members of the Furniture Retail Quality Group, Furniture Industry Research Association released an explanation for why glass furniture might shatter, and advised people on what they can do you reduce the risk. Please contact Westminster customer services, if you require a replacement at a 50% reduction.

ALUMINIUM

Aluminium is a proven lightweight material which is very strong and therefore ideal for use as outdoor furniture. Our aluminium is powder coated to prevent oxidation and ensure years of outdoor use.

TEAK

One of the endearing qualities of Teak is its amazing resistance to the elements. Teak can be left outside untouched and untreated for many years and over time the original colour will weather to a silver-grey. To prolong the original look of your Teak furniture Westminster have developed a protector. This is a water-based treatment which is easy to apply and is up to four times more effective than Teak oils. Westminster protector is a cosmetic application and therefore will not enhance your furniture’s durability or resistance to the elements. Teak can develop black spots, which can be caused by teak oil (which we do not recommend), as well as metal particles commonly found in guttering, scaffolding and railway tracks etc. After a period of time Teak can show cracks, especially in the end grains. These are quite natural and do not detract from the timber’s strength or durability.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is a non-profit organisation that ensures that forestry is practised in an environmentally responsible and socially beneficial manner. If a product is labelled as “FSC Certified,” it means that the wood used in the product and the manufacturer that made it has met the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC certification is considered the “gold standard” for wood harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable. Westminster is proud to offer its Teak furniture products constructed solely using FSC certified timber for the benefit of our planet and future generations. FSC Teak hardwood is generally younger than its non-certified counterparts and therefore its characteristics can differ with a wider grain and paler, therefore some models have laminated segments. This does not detract from strength or durability of the final product which will last outside, untreated, for many years.

PARASOLS

Westminster offer a wide selection of parasols to suit all requirements, from smaller centre pole sunshades to heavier duty, multi-position cantilever parasols. Added to this, a new outdoor Pergola. Our Moonlight parasols cantilever parasols are manufactured from high performance aluminium. These parasols have 8 aluminium ribs with discreet, integral LED lighting strips and are available in two sizes: 3.5m round and 4m x 3m rectangular. They can be rotated through 360 degrees by use of a foot pedal and a control handle gives a number of different shading angles. The canopies are manufactured from 100% Spuncrylic Polyester and are available in Charcoal, Natural or Taupe colours. For further information please see Moonlight Parasols in the 2022 collection.

Gust Buster: A revolutionary and unprecedented versatile cantilever parasol with a beautifully, minimalist design. The Parashade Supreme Cantilever Parasol range are easy to use, robust and reliable, with an unrivalled parallel motion easy opening with tilt mechanism and the mighty Gust-buster arms. The perfect home and hospitality shade solution.

KEY FEATURES

Mobile concrete base with wheels • Parallel motion easy opening and closing action • Tilt mechanism • Gust-Busting arms • 316 Stainless Steel marine grade post and anodised aluminium arms • Robust • Reliable aluminium and Stainless mechanisms • High quality Acrylic Canopy and protective cover from Cedarbrook fabrics • User friendly • Versatile and practical shade • Easy to open and close • Tough and durable with minimal maintenance • Beautiful • Minimalist and elegant • 3 Year Warranty •

PARASOL DISCLAIMER

Due to the cantilever parasol mechanisms and sliding parts, the aluminium will wear in sensitive areas especially where aluminium parts touch each other. We strongly advocate the use of a base stand with all Westminster parasols. Always close parasols when not in use or unattended and do not use in windy conditions.

BASE STANDS Our unique colour coded concrete standard base stand comes with a Stainless Steel tube a removable handle and in-built heavy-duty wheels to allow easy manoeuvring. They will take 38mm, 48mm & 58mm parasol poles. The cantilever parasols can only be used in conjunction with their specific base stands or in-ground bases.

ALL WEATHER COVERS

Our furniture covers are available in various sizes made from polyester PVC coated fabric. Covers are also available for our deep seating ranges. Please note: our all weather covers are universal and not tailor made for each individual product.