When it comes to buying garden furniture, many factors come into play. Ranges in price, materials, and weather resistance are all things to consider before you make your purchase.

If you are deciding between rattan or aluminium, here are some facts to know.

What You’re Really Getting with Rattan

Customers tend to be surprised to learn that most of the rattan furniture sold in the UK is not made from natural rattan. It is made with synthetic rattan woven to either steel or aluminium. Natural rattan is usually used for indoor purposes, and the UK outside weather is not made for rattan either.

Synthetic rattan can be an excellent alternative; however, it can also be the reason for your garden furniture purchase next to two years later. When it comes to the differences that matter, most good quality garden furniture will have a frame made with a powder-coated aluminium, as opposed to the cheaper furniture that will have a frame made of steel. Steel does rust and when that happens, the frame that is woven will distort and the set will lose its shape.

When purchasing a rattan set, you should ask what the frame material is because sellers may use steel for the frame and not make this clear in the listing.

In the UK, an aluminum frame rattan set lasts for 8-12 years, provided you take care of it. It is especially important to store it away from the cold, as cheap weave will become brittle in the cold. It may even break, as it will be the most common failure point.

Aluminum Furniture

Powder-coated aluminum is the easiest material to use for outdoor furniture. You don’t have to worry about rust and it is not decremented by British weather, even left outside for a year. If you do leave it outside, especially in a cheap aluminum set, the coating may chip. Aluminum will corrode at that point, but it is not a structural issue.

Special consideration should be given to the construction of the frame of a chair. If it is sectional, that means that the chair is made of aluminum that may flex; this is not ideal because the chair is meant to take a load. You should not be primarily concerned with the overall weight of the chair. A quality joint and frame is critical, especially in a dining set that you will be regularly using.

Investing in a powder-coated aluminum set is a smart option for long-time outdoor living furniture buyers, as most last 15 years or more with little upkeep, and top-of-the-line options go 20 years and beyond. Something else failure or breaking is rare and replacement components are more often easy to get, unlike most rattan set furniture.

Comfort and the Cushion Question

There is a positive and a negative, in terms of comfort of aluminum versus rattan. Rattan provides comfort without the use of cushions, and the weave permits more give than aluminum. Since the aluminum option is a solid surface, rattan is a more preferred option for fully covered outdoor areas where you expect to spend long time periods.

In practice, furniture sets with cushions do use them more often. There is one thing that makes both sets last the longest one is the cushions being placed in storage, rather than being left on the set. The biggest reason people think their furniture is worn out actually has to do with the cushions. Most furniture frames last the long, fully packed, cushions die quicker.

Which Is the Right Choice for You

Outside aluminum is low skill living is a fully outdoor long lasting option. Anthracite and charcoal aluminum are the best options.

Rattan furniture is best for covered spaces, conservatories, and for those who love comfort and a relaxed, informal look. Always purchase from a good stockist, and see it is aluminium-framed, and you won’t go wrong!