An outdoor space feels incomplete without furniture. But being outdoors means it’s exposed to the climate all the time. You will need a piece that’s both visually appealing and durable. You have four popular outdoor furniture materials for that: teak, aluminum, HDPE, and wicker.
In this guide, discover the specific climate elements that affect how long furniture lasts outdoors. Also, learn what each material has to offer. Find out which are suitable for different climate conditions. Use this to make the right choice for your outdoor space!
Key Climate Elements to Consider When Choosing
Your outdoor furniture should be able to survive these five elements to ensure longevity:
Sun Exposure (Heat and UV Rays)
Sunlight brings UV rays and heat. But they can be too much during noon and the summer season. This can cause furniture materials to fade, crack, and become brittle. Excessive heat also creates a dry environment, causing certain materials to shrink.
Moisture (Rain and Humidity)
Rain and humidity create humid and moist environments. This can cause mold and mildew growth and warping. It can also cause corrosion to some, especially metals.
Wind
Windy conditions can dislodge and even damage various pieces of furniture. Of course, if you don’t get strong winds in your area, this will not be an actual problem. But if you experience strong winds frequently, choose heavier materials.
Temperature
Drastic fluctuations can cause materials to expand, contract, crack, splinter, become brittle, and warp. Extremely high levels can also cause them to become too hot to touch. Meanwhile, extremely low levels can lead to moisture absorption and weakening of the structure.
Salt Air (Coastal Areas)
Salt in the air can cause corrosion and damage furniture materials, especially metal, over time. If you will place the outdoor furniture in a coastal area, you shouldn’t ignore this.
4 Best Outdoor Furniture Materials to Choose From
There are four popular materials widely used in outdoor furniture, including:
1. Teak
Teak is a strong hardwood with a beautiful grain finish. It produces its own oil, giving it moisture resistance. This also makes it resistant to rot, mold growth, and even infestations. Plus, it’s popular because it looks better with age. As time passes by, its honey-gold color turns into a soft silvery gray patina.
Here’s how it compares in terms of durability, care, and comfort:
Outdoor Durability
Teak can last up to 50 years outdoors without accumulating many dents and dings. Aside from the oil, it has high silica content that helps repel water. Its grain structure also protects it from warping.
However, direct sunlight can speed up its aging process. You can expect its color to change and the surface to crack if ignored. Despite this, teak doesn’t heat up that easily compared to the other three materials.
Maintenance Requirements
Teak requires intensive upkeep, but it’s easy to take care of. Essentially, you will have to clean the furniture regularly with mild soap and water. Teak oil application is also required every year to maintain its beauty. Plus, during extreme weather conditions, you might need to use outdoor furniture covers for extra protection.
Offered Comfort
Being a strong hardwood, teak has a high load capacity. It can support heavy weights without a problem. It also maintains its elegant aesthetics for decades, giving you plenty of ways to relax outdoors.
2. Aluminum
Aluminum is popular since it’s lightweight; the lightest among the four materials. Its powder coating makes it more durable and UV-resistant. As a metal, it can also keep its structural integrity outdoors. Plus, it’s more affordable than teak furniture. However, its quality depends on the manufacturer. You’ll have to buy aluminum furniture from a reputable brand to guarantee quality.
Here’s how it compares in terms of durability, care, and comfort:
Outdoor Durability
Despite being a metal, aluminum is naturally resistant to rusting. Placing it in an open space would be safe since it won’t corrode. It can even withstand salt air. Plus, the coating finish prevents color fading even when exposed to direct sunlight.
However, it can get swept by strong winds since it’s lightweight. In terms of temperature, teak vs aluminum: aluminum has higher thermal conductivity. It heats up and gets cold more easily than teak.
Maintenance Requirements
If you choose aluminum, you will have to store or cover it during extremely hot and cold seasons. Aside from this, aluminum is easy to maintain with a soft cloth and a mild soap and water solution. Don’t use any abrasive cleaners either, since they can damage the finish.
Offered Comfort
Aluminum on its own as furniture isn’t as comfortable as the other materials, like teak. To stay comfortable while using one, you will need to add some thick cushion pieces over it. Despite this, it’s easy to move so you can use it wherever.
3. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer. You can also call it HDPE poly lumber or recycled plastic. It’s one of the best eco-friendly patio materials that performs well in different climates. It’s especially resistant to moisture. It’s also a versatile material, making it affordable. You can get HDPE furniture pieces in different designs and color options.
Here’s how it compares in terms of durability, care, and comfort:
Outdoor Durability
HDPE is highly durable and resistant to moisture, mold, and UV light. It won’t fade, corrode, rot, crack, or become brittle easily. It also doesn’t get scratched easily. So, you can leave HDPE furniture outdoors all the time. However, HDPE is lightweight like aluminum. With harsh and strong winds, it can get swept away and damaged.
Maintenance Requirements
HDPE requires minimal upkeep. It will maintain its color and shape all season. If it gets dirty, warm soapy water is all you need. It’s also easy to store in case of storms.
Offered Comfort
HDPE as a material is extremely customizable. It conforms to any shape and style. This means you can get one for ergonomic comfort. It also doesn’t get too hot or cold to the touch, so you can comfortably use it for long periods.
4. Wicker
Wicker outdoor furniture can be made of two things: natural wicker or synthetic wicker. Natural wicker uses rattan, while synthetic wicker uses different polymers—it can even be HDPE. Natural rattan is made of organic plant fibers, making it lightweight. Meanwhile, the synthetic type is an artificial, plastic, or resin material. It’s only designed to mimic the appearance of natural wicker. Still, both materials can withstand outdoor elements to some extent.
Here’s how it compares in terms of durability, care, and comfort:
Outdoor Durability
Synthetic wicker is durable against moisture, temperature changes, and UV rays. You can use one in an open space year-round. On the flip side, natural rattan wicker is vulnerable to these elements. Moisture can cause mildew and unravelling of the weave. So, it’s more ideal for covered outdoor areas for longer use.
Maintenance Requirements
Mild soap and water are enough to care for synthetic wicker. Use the same for natural rattan and dry it completely after cleaning. You might also need to rehydrate or oil the rattan annually to protect the fibers.
Offered Comfort
Natural rattan wicker offers more comfort than synthetic. It’s flexible, breathable, warm, and softer to the touch—it easily conforms to the human body. But it can feel harder than synthetic wicker. Also, modern synthetic wicker often comes with cushions that contribute to better comfort.
Suitability Ranking for Different Climate Conditions
For a more straightforward checklist, here’s how suitable the four weather-resistant materials are for different conditions:
Best for Rainy Climates
HDPE works best in rainy climates, followed by synthetic wicker. Aluminum is also good. But remember that these three are lightweight; you’ll have to watch out for strong winds. Then, teak would be fourth, and natural rattan is the least suited for rainy regions.
Best for Hot and Sunny Regions
Teak ranks best because of its natural oils. You can also get HDPE or synthetic rattan. If you want aluminum, note that it can heat up. Unfortunately, natural rattan isn’t ideal for hot and sunny conditions unless it’s in a shaded location.
Best for Cold or Snowy Climates
HDPE and synthetic wicker work best in cold and snowy climates. They don’t get cold easily and are resistant to moisture damage. The next option would be aluminum, but it can get too cold to the touch. You can also use teak, but you’ll have to clean or cover it to prevent mildew growth. Again, natural rattan can get damaged when exposed to these conditions, so it’s not ideal.
Best for Coastal Areas
All materials can be suitable for coastal areas. But, use natural rattan wicker in shaded areas to avoid too much sun exposure. Ultimately, your best choice depends on your desired aesthetics.
Conclusion
These four outdoor furniture materials offer a wide range of benefits for outdoor spaces. Teak, aluminum, and HDPE are suitable in almost all climate conditions. But they do need proper care. As for natural rattan wicker, there are some considerations to make.
Look at how these materials look in real life in our collection. We have a massive selection of furniture and accessories that you can use to bring your space to life!
FAQs
Q: Which material lasts longest outdoors with minimal upkeep?
HDPE is the best choice. It doesn’t fade, crack, or rot easily.
Q: Will aluminum frames get too hot in the summer sun?
Yes, aluminum can heat up quickly. But you can add cushions for better comfort.
Q: Is resin wicker durable in four-season climates?
Yes, synthetic resin wicker is durable year-round in four-season climates.
Q: How does HDPE compare to hardwood for strength?
HDPE is durable but lighter, while teak hardwood is stronger and supports heavier loads.
