If you are not familiar with one, you might think a mission glider is some sort of flying contraption with intent. That couldn not be further from the truth. The mission glider is in fact a specialized piece of furniture for indoors or out which has been designed with a specific aesthetic in mind. Before we look at the whole, let us break it down:
What is a Glider?
A glider is a modified kind of rocking chair, only it does not rock so much as, well, glide. Also known as a platform rocker, this swing seat consists of a frame in which the seat or bench is attached to the base via a double-rocker four bar linkage. It operates on metal hardware hinges in which the unparallel suspension arms of this four bar linkage make the chair move in a swaying back and forth motion. The earliest patent for this type of seat design appeared in 1939, and so has been perfected over the last 70 years.
Gliders themselves are typically made from wood, and different woods serve different purposes. Some woods are stronger and thus better suited for the outdoors, while other types of wood, as well as wicker and some other materials, can be adapted for indoor use and are overall more delicate. A lot of gliders, especially those for indoors, come with attached or matching cushions, which provides added comfort and support.
Most outdoor furniture companies sell some model of glider, though not necessarily a mission glider per se, along with rockers, benches and whatever else. However, the two brands that claim top ranking for North American sales are Dutailier and Shermag, both Canadian.
What is Mission Style?
The mission in a mission glider refers to a revival school of design. The mission style began in the early twentieth century and drew inspiration from the Spanish missions of the 1800s in California. The buildings, adobe brick with plaster stucco, along with specialized features, were recreated in commercial and residential structures. It also applied to furniture, and it was
Joseph McHugh who first coined the term mission style and started manufacturing furniture looking at an original chair. In both buildings and furniture, the mission style is very basic and simple looking, but this clean-cut feeling gives a rustic charm. In furniture, most of it is made from wood, wherein the pieces are skillfully placed together in straight lines and block forms.
Where Can you put a Mission Glider?
As previously noted, a mission glider is suitable for inside and for outdoors. Outside, a glider can be places like a backyard, deck, patio, or covered porch. Depending on the amount of exposure to the elements, such as rain and sunlight, some woods will hold up better, but all will last longer with regular upkeep.
Also, outdoor gliders require waterproof cushions, usually also made from a durable tear-proof material. Indoors, gliders can go wherever you can think of, the family room and bedroom for one. The nice thing about gliders above rockers is that with gliders, no part of the base ever leaves the floor, so children and pets will not get pinched beneath one of the rockers.
A mission glider is great for a nursery pre- and post-birth. It relaxes the mother, soothes the infant, reduces the appearance of varicose veins, and supposedly also has some developmental benefits for babies as well.
About the author of this article:
todd arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. he regularly writes about mission glider and mission glider chair.
