How to choose the best material for your garden furniture
When purchasing outdoor furniture, what are the most important factors to consider? To design a space that feels like home, style is an important one because it reflects aspects of your personality. Comfort is also crucial, as is the durability of each piece of furniture likewise. The outdoor furniture material is, however, the feature that binds all of these factors together.
If you are wondering what the best material for outdoor furniture is, we recommend you look into a number of factors, including weather, cleaning and upkeep, and affordability. You will need to think about the best material for outdoor furniture that's waterproof and sturdy, depending on where you place it and the seasonal weather conditions.
We may split all of the décor items required to create a multipurpose outdoor space into two categories: furniture and accessories. The main furniture pieces you'll need are tables, chairs (or furniture sets), outdoor furniture sofas, or sun loungers, and accessories such as umbrellas, cushions, or storage options.
Weatherproof outdoor furniture: a guide to finding the best material
Season after season, weatherproof outdoor furniture maintains its look and sturdiness. You'll need waterproof patio furniture if you live in a high-humidity area with a lot of rain, for example. That's because damp circumstances can cause your wooden furniture to rot and deteriorate, which is a major problem that not only ruins your favourite outdoor furniture but also poses a health risk. If you live in a humid area and still prefer wooden furniture, choosing treated hardwoods for your patio furniture may be a good option.
Depending on the outdoor furniture material you choose, humidity can also cause rust and corrosion, as well as warping (a change in shape) on your furniture. Powder-coated steel, for instance, is a high-humidity resistant material for outdoor furniture.
If you're not sure what kind of outdoor furniture to get because you live in a hot climate, go for UV-resistant and all-weather outdoor furniture. Exposure to the sun for an extended period of time might cause your furniture to fade, crack, or become brittle. To avoid such scenario, synthetic rattan wicker furniture is your best bet, as it is one of the greatest all-weather patio furniture options.
Some furniture materials, on the other hand, can withstand the sun yet are uncomfortable due to overheating (like metal furniture). If you don't want to touch hot metal furniture in the summer heat, treated hardwood patio furniture can be a better option. Let's not forget about windy conditions; make sure your all-weather patio furniture is heavy enough to withstand the elements while remaining stable.
What kind of outdoor furniture is the most durable?
Metal is, without a question, the most durable patio furniture material. Because of its strength, it can withstand most weather conditions and be used to create innovative furniture designs. Metal can also be easily coupled with other materials (such as wood or glass) to create a sleek look.
Wood is another terrific option for durable patio furniture. Your outdoor furniture has varying maintenance requirements depending on the type of wood. Acacia wood, for example, is a popular choice, but it does not withstand the elements as well as teak furniture.
Plastic garden furniture might not suit every aesthetic, but it definitely answers the question of what outdoor furniture lasts longest. Plastic also offers a lot of design flexibility, as it can be made into any shape, size, or colour. Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of these lovely outdoor furniture materials.
Evergreen Wicker and Rattan patio furniture
We recommend synthetic rattan wicker outdoor furniture for garden décor that is incredibly weather-resistant, easy to clean, and environmentally friendly. In comparison to natural wicker and rattan, the synthetic form of this outdoor material is designed to resist a variety of weather conditions while being super easy to maintain and looking identical to its natural counterpart. All-weather rattan/wicker furniture, which is made of synthetic polyethylene resin, not only looks great but also offers a lot of benefits. You may, for example, keep this type of synthetic rattan furniture in the sun or in humid conditions without fear of it deteriorating.
Similarly, all-weather rattan wicker is fade-resistant, easy to clean, and lightweight, which is ideal if you live somewhere with little wind. All-weather rattan wicker is the finest material for garden sofas or lounge sets, as well as stylish outdoor accessories like cute lanterns or baskets, due to its natural-looking weave and colour.
*Care and maintenance: Vacuum your rattan wicker outdoor furniture on a regular basis, using a brush attachment to remove dust from the crevices, and wipe it clean with a light oil-based soap.
Classy wooden garden furniture
We can't help but fall head over heels for wooden patio furniture. Appreciated for its timeless beauty, wooden garden furniture is a popular thing to see in gardens everywhere. Wooden garden furniture does need certain care, if you want to enjoy it for years to come. The ideal wood for outdoor furniture is one that can withstand the effects of the sun and rain.
Softwoods like pine and cedar are popular, but they must be pressure-treated and maintained on a regular basis. Hardwoods, on the other hand, are better selections for your outdoor sun loungers or furniture sets, for example. Due to its high natural oil content, which makes it water-resistant, teak is one of the best choices. When not in use, we recommend you protect outdoor wood furniture from rain or sun damage by storing it or using outdoor furniture covers, regardless of how robust the type of wood is, just to make sure it will look like new for a long time.
*Care and maintenance: To shelter wooden garden furniture from the elements, all you have to do is apply a light coat of oil or wax on a regular basis and clean it with soapy water.
Is metal patio furniture the best choice?
Metal patio furniture is extremely durable and may be used year after year. Some metals are better for outdoor furniture than others, depending on the climate and your regular use. Powder-coated stainless steel, for example, is more resistant to UV radiation than iron. But if you live in a windy area and want to create a cosy café atmosphere in your garden, a sturdy wrought iron bistro set might be the way to go.
Metal is a great choice for durable patio furniture, however it does have certain drawbacks. You'll need to examine the ideal weight of your outdoor furniture, which shouldn't be too heavy (if constructed of wrought iron, for example). To avoid that, the lightweight aluminium might be the best material to choose. Other metals, such as stainless steel, are corrosion and rust-resistant; this material could be the answer to the question of what outdoor furniture lasts the longest.
*Care and maintenance: If you choose metal outdoor furniture, all you have to do is keep it clean by wiping it with water and mild soap on a regular basis.
Plastic outdoor furniture: looking like new, season after season
Plastic patio furniture is growing in popularity for all the right reasons. This outdoor furniture material is mostly made of polyethylene (PE), which is both strong and lightweight. Because the material allows for a wide range of aesthetic approaches, you can create a wide range of outdoor decors, from modern to boho.
Plastic outdoor furniture is resistant to degradation and heat, so you don't have to do anything to keep it safe. If you choose stackable plastic chairs, for example, you may store them when not in use or on windy days.
*Care and maintenance: A quick wipe down with soapy water every now and again will keep your plastic garden furniture looking new for a long time.
