What Kind of Patio Furniture is Most Durable?

What Kind of Patio Furniture is Most Durable?

Durability is important when choosing patio furniture as it needs to be able to withstand inclement weather throughout the year as well as day to day use - whether that be from a young family or from those garden parties with friends.

Here in the UK, our weather is very temperamental and we need patio furniture that is tough enough to hold out against snow, rain, sun and more.

Choosing durable outdoor furniture is also more cost-effective as you don’t need to worry about regularly replacing it. Garden furniture is made using a number of different materials specifically suitable for the outdoors - the most common outdoor furniture materials being aluminium, rattan and teak. Patio furniture is created to be not only durable but comfortable and stylish too, so you can fully embrace the lush summer weather.

What patio furniture material lasts the longest?

Which outdoor furniture material will last the longest is hard to say as the material you choose plus how it’s used and the level of care and maintenance given does play a big part in its longevity. 

Not all outdoor furniture is created equal and there are many different patio furniture brands and price points out there, which can make it even harder to know if you are making the right choice.

When you choose a type of outdoor furniture, it’s important to know that you’re getting high quality furniture that is made from the most durable materials and is going to work best for your lifestyle and outdoor space. 

Aluminium Garden Furniture

Aluminium garden furniture has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years and is a firm favourite with those who love a more modern look. Aluminium is a great choice for outdoor furniture, particularly aluminium patio dining sets and aluminium bistro sets as this material is naturally rust resistant and extremely lightweight enough to be easily manoeuvrable.

Metal patio furniture is also designed to be left outside all year round. Its natural resistance to corrosion and tough powder coating means it requires virtually no maintenance and makes it a particularly good choice for seaside locations where salt air can be a problem. 

Aluminium patio furniture is incredibly durable and when properly looked after it can remain in your garden for many years to come. Its longevity, along with style, is one of the main reasons for its growing popularity.

When you choose aluminium furniture you know you are getting high quality outdoor furniture that can withstand our weather conditions and will look super stylish while doing it.

Other metals are probably best avoided if you want low maintenance. Cast iron patio furniture, wrought iron outdoor furniture and steel furniture are all very robust, but do require a higher level of maintenance as none of them are weather resistant. We would highly recommend using garden furniture covers if opting for these types of furniture materials.

What to look for when buying aluminium furniture

•  Firstly, price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Cutbacks will be made on things like the density/thickness of the aluminium, which means it won't be able to withstand a great deal of weight before warping. Many aluminium patio sets are supplied with a weight limit, so this should give you a good indication of how robust it is.

•  Ensure the aluminium is powder coated. You may find that cheaper aluminium garden furniture is dipped in plastics instead, this won't offer the same level of protection as powder coating will.

•  Look at the quality of the fixtures, are they made from metal or plastic?

Wooden Garden Furniture

The popularity of wooden garden furniture has been on the rise over the last few years and we predict to see even more of this in the coming summer season, but is it durable? In short, the answer is yes, wood has been used to create durable garden furniture for many years. 

Two of the most popular types of wood for outdoor furniture are acacia and teak.

Teak in particular is starting to feature more and more in different types of patio furniture and is an extremely popular choice of material. This material is used to create dining tables, coffee tables, sofa side tables and more. The reason for its popularity is its natural ability to withstand moisture and retain structural integrity in a way that other natural materials such as pine and oak don't.

Teak furniture is highly durable and you can leave it outside all year. Just note that the natural weathering process means that your teak furniture will turn to a lovely silver grey. This has no impact whatsoever on the longevity of your furniture.

We advise that, if you want to leave the wood to age naturally, use warm soapy water every now and then to clean your teak garden furniture. However, if you want to maintain the initial pre-weathered colour of the wood, you will need to use a teak treatment. We can help you find the correct treatment, just contact us. 

Acacia outdoor furniture is a great alternative to teak and is often cheaper due to lower production costs. Wooden garden benches are a cost effective yet durable choice when wanting to add extra seating to your outdoor space that requires little maintenance.

What to look for when buying wooden patio furniture

•  Much like aluminium, look at the density of the wood. It stands to reason that chunkier wood is likely to be more robust.

•  Look at the quality of the wood, are there a large number of knots present? Knots in the wood can create a weak point, so it's important these are kept to a minimum, a quality piece won't have a large amount of knots.

•  Look at the joins, have the individual pieces been machined well? Are the joins dovetailed or interlocking? Lose joins secured only with fixtures are likely to be weaker than those that are self supported.

•  Look at the finish of the wood. Have the edges been rounded? Are there loose splinters? Has it been weather treated? All of these things indicate a level of care has been taken to provide a quality piece of patio furniture.

Rattan Garden Furniture

Designed to replicate natural wicker, rattan patio furniture is incredibly durable and specifically designed to be left outside throughout the year. Rattan furniture has been a consistently popular choice for over a decade and it comes in a few different styles, such as flat weave and the more modern full round weave.

The majority of rattan ranges from reputable patio furniture brands are woven around a robust yet lightweight aluminium frame, which helps add to the furniture's longevity. 

Rattan has been used in patio furniture for many years, with no limitations on the type of furniture created. It's a particularly favoured choice for styles like rattan sun loungers, rattan corner sofas and rattan dining sets, which are likely to get a lot of use throughout the summer months as they're comfortable, practical and long-lasting.

Synthetic rattan is also UV stabilised to protect against fading due to prolonged sun exposure.

Sometimes referred to as synthetic wicker, PE rattan can withstand both humid and frosty conditions and it can survive whatever nature throws at it. Rattan is rot resistant, fade resistant and weather resistant and the low maintenance means its really easy to keep clean too - you can use hot soapy water or a jet wash to remove dirt from the weave.

What to look for when buying rattan patio furniture

•  As most quality rattan furniture is made using an aluminium frame, most are supplied with a weight limit, a low weight limit would suggest it's not as robust as it might appear.

•  Look at the closeness of the weave. A loose weave would suggest the bare minimum amount of rattan has been used and weak spots could easily form. The weave should be tight and uniform.

•  Ensure that all outdoor furniture frames are powder coated aluminium and not steel. Steel isn't naturally corrosive.

•  Ensure the synthetic rattan is PE and not PU or PVC. PU and PVC aren't the best materials for outdoor furniture as they aren't weather or fade resistant.

•  Does your new rattan garden set come pre-assembled? Pre-assembled sets are favourable over flatpack as they are factory finished and are put together exactly as they should be - which will hopefully avoid any parts coming lose over time.

Rope Garden Furniture

Rope is another material that has grown in popularity over the last year or so, this is because it’s a strong material with a minimalist look. When you think of rope you might think it isn’t as tough as synthetic rattan but that isn’t the case - the raw materials used are almost identical.

Much like rattan, there are two different types of rope - round rope and flat rope, both are made slightly differently but hold the same weatherproof properties. The round rope has a synthetic core so it doesn’t absorb any moisture. Whereas the flat rope design is made by interweaving the polypropylene material with the acrylic fabric. The rope is soft yet water-repellent, UV resistant and colourfast.

Much like synthetic rattan, PE rope is being used to make a number of different styles of outdoor furniture due to its durability and versatility. From rope hanging egg chairs, to futuristic luxury rope sun loungers that wouldn't look out of place by the side of a pool in sunny LA.

What to look for when buying rope patio furniture

Due to the nature of rope outdoor furniture and its similarities to rattan furniture, it's important to look for the same sort of things as you would when buying rattan garden furniture.

Plastic Garden Furniture

Plastic patio furniture isn’t as durable as other materials such as wood or rattan but it can last a long time if taken care of properly. To preserve its life, plastic garden furniture is best stored away in winter as the freezing temperatures can cause the furniture to expand which can cause it to become brittle and snap.

Plastic materials can be easily cleaned with lukewarm soapy water and a clean cloth. Avoid using anything abrasive as this could damage the plastic. Once you have removed the dirt you should then rinse your furniture using a hose. The furniture can be dried using a microfibre cloth or you can leave it in the sun to air dry.

What to look for when buying plastic patio furniture

•  Plastic furniture is largely fuss free but there are few things you can look for when buying. This first thing would be the density of the plastic.

•  If buying outdoor chairs for example, are they formed from one piece of plastic or made from multiple pieces? One piece is likely to be stronger.

•  Are pressure points reinforced? Is the plastic thicker where the seat meets the legs?

•  What type of plastic is being used? High pressure laminate made from synthetic polyethylene resin is the most durable of synthetic materials for plastic outdoor furniture, and is therefore most commonly used. Polypropylene is also used and is much lighter, but doesn't offer the same level of weather resistance as PE resin does.

How long should outdoor patio furniture last?

When properly cared for your patio set can last a very long time. Garden furniture is designed to last and can withstand inclement weather. There is no set timeline on how long patio furniture will last, however when you buy good quality furniture and you maintain it well, there's no reason why it shouldn't last for many years.

How do I prolong the life of my patio furniture? 

Patio furniture is incredibly easy to keep clean and maintain - here are some of our top tips on how to prolong the life of your patio furniture:

•  Always remove any debris such as fallen leaves and bird droppings

•  Use a protective outdoor furniture cover 

•  Store your cushions inside during winter & bad weather if possible

•  Keep your cushions off the ground - store using a suitable cushion bag, cushion box or in a garage

•  Clean outdoor cushions before storing them away

Looking after your furniture shouldn’t be a chore as outdoor furniture is designed to stay outside regardless of the weather. For more information, you can also check out our blog on what to do with patio furniture in winter for more information on how to care for and store your furniture over the colder months.

Still unsure which is the best material or which type of garden furniture to buy that will suit your needs? Don't worry! Just get in touch and we'll be more than happy to advise.

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Further Reading:

What To Do With Patio Furniture In Winter?

What is a Height Adjustable Garden Table?

How To Make Your Garden Warmer