Garden furniture: materials at a glance
5.6.2020
Translation: machine translated
Outdoor furniture comes in a range of materials with different properties, which you can assess when you buy.
When it comes to garden furniture, you can't have it both ways. All materials have advantages and disadvantages. When the furniture is not in use, it should be protected from the elements, whatever the material. Often, it's not the main materials but the connecting pieces between the different parts that are sensitive. Ask manufacturers for specific care instructions for the garden furniture you have selected. You should also be aware that a lot of outdoor furniture needs a different location for winter and summer. In the Specifications and Materials section, you can find out whether the furniture and seating are suitable for year-round outdoor use.
Rattan
Rattan is a flexible material that comes from the rattan palm tree. The denser the weave, the more durable the furniture. Good braiding fibres, round and smooth, give way and snag. Compared to its wood and metal counterparts, rattan furniture is easier to move around because it is lighter. Unlike artificial rattan, natural rattan is not rot-proof or fungus-resistant, so such furniture needs to be stored in a dry place. For protection, most rattan garden furniture is waxed or covered with a layer of transparent plastic. The colour of rattan changes over time when exposed to strong light. In contact with wet metal, it takes on a shade of dark grey to brown-black. Most pieces are joined using wooden tenons, dowels or glue. Rattan also tends to become porous without regular maintenance.
Maintenance: when choosing the right care product, check whether the protective layer on rattan furniture is wax or plastic. By occasionally spraying the material with a care product mixed with water, the material remains elastic and supple. Nevertheless, store rattan furniture away from moisture and rain using a weather protection cover.
Teck
Used in the production of garden furniture, teak is, unlike other woods, particularly strong, light, high-end and impervious to insects, fungi and chemicals. Teak garden furniture can therefore be left outdoors all year round. The high proportion of rubber and oil makes the surface resistant to abrasion and water, and pleasantly soft to the touch. Despite the surface treatment, every wood changes its appearance in response to external influences. The same applies to teak. In strong sunlight, it will lighten and in a damp environment, the wooden uprights will warp very slightly.
**Maintenance:**at the beginning and end of the season, treat teak garden furniture with special maintenance products to protect it from the weather. Clean furniture with soapy water and a standard sponge instead of a microfibre cloth, which will absorb the oil from the teak. After cleaning, apply a maintenance oil with a brush to seal the surface and maintain the colour, unless you're after a greyish patina look that develops on teak over time without repeated maintenance.
Metal
Chromed steel
Chrome makes steel stainless, making it ideal for garden furniture that needs to withstand water, moisture and organic acids. Chrome-plated steel is either lacquered or hot-dip galvanised, two processes that give it protection against corrosion and chemicals, thus reducing the maintenance effort compared to wood or galvanised steel. The only negative points? Chrome-plated steel can heat up in the blazing sun and the surfaces are not immune to scratches.
Maintenance: chromed steel garden furniture can be left outside. However, to protect the equipment from scratches, a cover comes in handy. To keep the steel shiny, it should be cleaned with a soft cloth or a sponge in the same direction as the structure. Chrome steel reacts to acid and detergent. Therefore, avoid cleaning products containing aggressive chemical agents.
Thermolacquered aluminium
Aluminium - a stable material that can be sawn, ground or bent - is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it suitable for year-round outdoor use. The thermo-lacquer applied to the surface of the garden furniture protects it from the elements, but not from scratches. Compared to teak or rattan, aluminium can heat up considerably.
Maintenance: thermolacquer is often made from a variety of plastics that require no specific maintenance products, apart from water mixed with pH-neutral soap instead of an acidic product or detergent. To avoid scratches, use a chiffon and a dirt eraser instead of a brush. Also provide shade to prevent the material from overheating.
Plastic materials
Polypropylene
Plastics indicated by the initials PP - understand polypropylene - retain their colour and are resistant to water or abrasion. Pleasant to the touch, they are lighter than metal or wooden furniture. Polypropylene garden furniture cannot be left in the sun for too long, as it may melt. It should also be handled with care, as it is prone to stains and scratches.
Maintenance: quickly blot up spilt liquids - especially dark-coloured ones such as coffee or bird droppings - with a damp cloth or sponge before they dry. Remove dust regularly with a damp cloth. For ingrained dirt, use a little acetone or a special gum. Before you sit down, allow your sun cream to penetrate your skin thoroughly, otherwise you risk leaving a residue on the surface of the furniture. Like rattan, polypropylene garden furniture should be covered with a protective cover in winter or sheltered to prevent it from getting waterlogged, mouldy or stained.
Polyolefin fibre
Polyolefin fibre - synthetic, colourless and abrasion-resistant - is soft to the touch and antistatic. Treated to be interlaced or woven, it covers seat cushions and pillows. Interwoven, it resembles synthetic rattan; woven, it resembles cotton. Resistant to chlorine, polyolefin fibre is ideal for garden furniture next to a swimming pool, for example. Although the fibre quickly wicks away moisture, it is not waterproof. It is not affected by water-based stains, but oil-based stains are. As polyolefin fibre is not heat tolerant, it can melt in the tumble dryer or when ironed.
Care: use natural solvents and soft brushes to clean the fabrics and weave, as chemicals can cause the fibres to swell. Fabric covers are washable, air dry and iron, if necessary, only at a low temperature. To remove oil stains, use lukewarm water with bile stain remover soap and a little bleach water. Always keep cushions and upholstered seats dry in wet weather and in winter to prevent them from getting waterlogged. On a covered terrace, a breathable cover is more than enough. To prevent mould growth in enclosed spaces, polyolefin fibre fabrics must be completely dry before being stored.
Synthetic rattan
Synthetic rattan is a polyethylene woven material, visually similar to natural rattan, but artificially produced. As light as polyolefin fibre, it is more durable than its natural counterpart, as long as you take care of it. Two downsides: it's not antistatic and can melt in blazing sunlight.
Care: avoid placing your synthetic rattan furniture directly in the sun, as its resistance to heat is limited. Clean garden furniture with a soft cloth and soapy water. Products containing solvents may attack the surface.
Plastic textiles
QDF foam
Quick Dry Foam (QDF) has a polyurethane honeycomb structure, a filling material for cushions and seating that dries in thirty minutes after a shower. The permeable cells allow air to circulate and water to escape. The water permeability means that no mould or odours form on the outside. In winter, only large cushions should be stored indoors without protective covers, to allow any moisture to escape. Storage space should therefore be provided.
Maintenance: to allow water to drain quickly, QDF foam cushions should be placed upright after a rain shower. If there is any residue, use textile cleaners before putting the covers back on. In the event of heavy rain or long periods of non-use, QDF foam seat cushions should be stored indoors, without protective covers, in a dry place.
Dralon
Dralon - a fast-drying acrylic fibre spun dry or wet, depending on its intended use - adorns parasols, awnings, shade sails and garden furniture covers. The denser the mesh, the greater its resistance to tearing. Its feel and appearance are similar to those of natural fibres. Unlike linen or cotton, this fibre retains its colour despite UV rays. Dralon is resistant to mould and bacteria, is pleasant to the touch and is suitable for allergy sufferers. When overheated, dralon fibres develop hydrocyanic acid, a toxic substance.
Care: light stains can be removed by hand with bile soap, the fabrics wash at less than 40 degrees, air dry only and iron at a moderate temperature.
Sunbrella
Originally developed for sailboats, sunbrella is made from particularly hard-wearing acrylic fabric that is easy to clean, mould and heat resistant and water repellent. Cleaning, the only negative point, is done by hand so that the fabric retains its impregnating properties.
Care: brush the fabric dry regularly and carefully to avoid dust deposits. Greasy stains form black dots that can only be removed by hand with a little warm soapy water and javel. Sunbrella fabric is machine washable at 40°C maximum, without pre-wash or spin cycle. It then dries outdoors and can only be ironed at low temperature. If the impregnation wears off during the season, simply renew it with a suitable outdoor impregnating agent.
Ceramics
As with ceramic indoor furniture, outdoor furniture is intended to be easy to maintain. That's why table tops are made of ceramic, a material that is resistant to most external influences. The only danger? Breakage. That's why the ceramic is surrounded by a metal frame to protect it. The corners are particularly sensitive to knocks. Garden furniture with ceramic is heavier than its wooden or rattan counterparts.
Care: wash the ceramic top with a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Greasy and dry stains can be removed with washing-up liquid or glass cleaners.
Granit
Ultra-strong, scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, granite retains its colour and prevents the growth of mould. On the other hand, it is expensive, heavy and difficult to move. That's why ceramic is used for tables and benches. Granite seats are pleasantly cool in hot weather, but are not as pleasant on the skin as plastic or wood. Over the years, a patina may form.
Maintenance: choose the right place to install your granite furniture, as it will be difficult to move it afterwards. Make sure the floor can bear the weight and is not damaged. To clean, use a clean cloth and lukewarm water.
Comparison of properties
| Propriétés | Rotin | Teck | Métal (aluminium, chrome) | Matières plastique (PP,PE) | Céramique | Pierre (granit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Résistant aux intempéries | non | oui | oui | non | oui | oui |
| Résistant aux UV et aux décolorations | non | non | oui | oui | oui | oui |
| Imputrescible | non | oui | oui | non | oui | oui |
| Recyclable* / biodégradable | oui | oui | oui | non | oui | oui |
| Inoxydable | oui | oui | oui | oui | oui | oui |
| Anti-statique | oui | oui | oui | non | oui | oui |
| Chauffe si exposition directe au soleil | non | non | oui | non | non | non |
| Résistant à l'abrasion | non | non | non | non | non | non |
| Incassable | oui | oui | oui | oui | non | non |
| Facile d'entretien | non | non | oui | oui | oui | oui |
Have you noticed any other advantages or disadvantages in garden furniture materials that you'd like to tell us about? If so, write us your tips in the comments column!
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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