All About Patio Gliders

Patio gliders make an excellent addition to your outdoor furnishings.  Porch gliders use a simple mechanism to avoid curved motion, making the seat remain level as it sways back and forth.  Gliders are relaxing and soothing, and much more comfortable than hard plastic or wood stationary furniture. 

The swinging couch

Gliders date back to 1898, and inventors worked until 1925 to perfect the glider as we know it today.  Early names for the glider included "couch hammock" and "swinging davenport."  In 1925 an inventor called his version the "glide hammock."  The name stuck, and the word "glider" made its way into American vocabulary.

Patio gliders for all

Today, there are several different types of patio gliders:

Glider rockers, also called glider rocking chairs, are different than traditional rocking chairs, in that they produce a gliding motion, which is horizontal, rather than a rocking motion, which is vertical.  Glider rockers come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. 

Glider chairs are similar to glider rockers. The main difference is in the design, which resembles a "regular" chair more than a rocking chair.

Porch gliders refer to either of the above mentioned types of gliders.  Porch gliders are any type of glider intended for the outdoors, as there are many types of gliders suited for indoor furnishing.  Porch gliders can hold one person, or come in the form of a love seat, which holds two people. 

Many materials

Gliders can be made out of a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic, with wood being the most popular and long-lasting of the three.  If you are looking for a high quality glider rocker or chair, here are some suggestions:

Look to the Amish.  The Amish have a long history of making exquisite, handmade glider rockers.  Try oak, cherry, hickory or walnut wood.  An Amish twig glider rocker makes those long days on your feet well worth it!

Try a balsa wood glider.  Balsa wood is light and soft, with a course open grain.  Balsa absorbs shock well, and holds up in rainy weather.

Keep it cushioned

Finding a durable seat cushion for your glider is very important!  Seat cushions should be able to withstand the elements.  Try an acrylic fabric which resists stains, fading and mildew.  Since glider cushions come in a wide range of patterns and colors, you can rotate them to fit the season. In the event of a mishap, glider rocker replacement seat cushions can be found in local stores and online.

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