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Whatever style you are trying to achieve in your outdoor living space, choosing the right material for your furniture is a big part of it’s overall appeal, this decision can make or break your garden design plans.
The material of your furniture is one of the most important parts to the aesthesis of your outdoor space, it has a big impact on the durability, weather resistance, comfort and maitence of you furniture. When taking into consideration of these factors, choosing the right garden furniture can be more complex than originally thought.
To help you decide which option is best for your garden, we’ll take a look at the key pros and cons of two popular furniture materials: rattan and metal.
What is rattan garden furniture?
Natural rattan furniture is made from woven palm stems from plants grown in tropical climates. This helps to create a casual, rustic appearance to your furniture, but this kind of rattan tends to be more expensive and is not typically suited for the UK’s damp weather. Most of the furniture you see in this style in the UK is made from synthetic rattan, one of these types are called PE rattan. This synthetic rattan garden furniture is woven the same as real rattan maintaining the same structural pattern and appearance this also has more versatile colour options this can be seen in our brown rattanfurniture and grey rattan furniture, this helps to create the same stylistic effect whilst having added waterproof benefits.
Rattan garden furniture: Pros and cons
Lets look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying rattan furniture for your garden.
Speaking of benefits, let’s take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of buying rattan outdoor furniture for your garden:
Pros
1. Classic, timeless style
Rattan has a clean, elegant, and effortlessly stylish look, it is no surprise that rattan furniture remains a top choice for garden decor. Rattan furniture is suitable for those who would like a rustic and natural style for their furniture, making a seamless link between the natural elements of your outdoor space and the more modern comforts of your indoor spaces.
Whether you're hosting a garden dinner party or simply unwinding in the sun, rattan is a wonderfully versatile choice perfect for everything from outdoor dining sets to cosy sofa sets and daybeds. It blends effortlessly into any setting and never feels out of place.
2. Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
If you ever feel like switching up your garden arrangement, there is no need to splash out on new furniture. This is due to the nature of rattan furniture being a very lightweight material, so you can easily change the arrangement of your outdoor furniture at any time, to bring new life to your outdoor space. This is also beneficial for those who love to entertain guests, you can adjust the layout to accommodate the different seating arrangements. Then seamlessly put it back to its original layout once everyone leaves.
3. Flexible and comfortable
One of the reason rattans is such a popular furniture material is due to being extremely strong and flexible. The flexibility allows for the rattan to adjust to you to your body when you are sat also it provides a bit of bounce, this leads to a more comfortable experience when compared to hard, firm materials which do not allow any give. So, if you love to spend time enjoying your outdoor space for hours on end, rattan is a spot-on choice.
To add to the comfort of your rattan furniture, you can add outdoor scatter cushions. The majority of the rattan furniture comes with cushions, but you can also add a bit of flair with scatter cushions to match the aesthetics of your overall garden or colour scheme.
4. Easy to clean and maintain
Would you like a low-maintenance garden? Rattan furniture is super easy to keep clean and maintain, all that is required is to wipe it down with some mild soap and water from time to time, or whenever you spot some dust or dirt. With the British weather being so unpredictable and harsh we recommend you should add furniture covers to your set or move it into a sheltered area, due to the lightweight nature of the rattan this should be easily doable.
5. Durable
Although we would not recommend leaving your rattan furniture unprotected during the harsher weather, rattan furniture is still highly durable and has along life span overall. Rattan does not become brittle in cold weather or scolding hot in direct sun light., it is also very UV-light resistant. Due to this it means it is less prone to fading after prolonged exposure, so it will look in tip top condition for a very long time.
Cons
1. Weaving can loosen over time
One potential downside of rattan is that the weave can become loose over time and with being used a lot, affecting the overall appearance of your outdoor furniture. Although this is an issue it is more common in natural rattan over synthetic, using this rattan is a good way to avoid this (also this will benefit from increased durability and weather resistance)
2. May not be suitable for harsh weather conditions
While rattan garden furniture can hold up in light rain, damp and windy conditions, over time it will deteriorate faster if left out in harsher conditions such as heavy rain and strong winds. To help protect against this we recommend furniture covers or storing your set in a sheltered area during the harsher weather. Due to the lightweight nature of rattan this should not be too much of an issue to move.
3. Cost
Synthetic rattan furniture, and natural rattan furniture, can sometimes have a higher price point. However, you get what you pay for, so making an investment in high-quality furniture can help you rest assured your set will maintain a good condition for a long time, which means you will not have to replace it as often meaning you will save money over time not having to replace any pieces of your set.
What is metal garden furniture?
Metal garden furniture is another highly popular garden furniture material. This outdoor furniture is typically made from either aluminium, steel or wrought iron, but aluminium is considered the most popular and highest-quality choice out of these three. This is because aluminium garden furniture is more lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion than steel or iron.
Metal garden furniture: Pros and cons
What are the advantages and disadvantages of metal garden furniture and aluminium garden furniture? Lets look and some of the main pros and cons to keep in mind when choosing metal or rattan furniture for your outdoor space.
Pros
1. Sleek, modern style
Metal garden furniture complements a wide range of décor styles, but it is especially suited to the modern aesthetic. Its sleek, minimalist design is ideal for creating a clean, contemporary outdoor space, particularly when you choose pieces that have a chromatic colour to them.
2. Sturdy and durable
Metal furniture is very durable and sturdy, making perfect for heavy use or to be used in less sheltered areas. Metal furniture will stand the test of time in an outdoor environment, making it the ideal choice for garden furniture
3. Low maintenance
Just like rattan, metal furniture also has the advantage of being low maintenance. The frames on metal furniture is easy to wipe down using a bit of soap and water. Protective covers are also available to protect your furniture in harsher weather to prevent corrosion and rust.
Cons
1. Can get hot in direct sunlight
One of the downsides of metal vs rattan is it can become very hot in direct sunlight, this can be problematic if you have a set without cushions or any kind of covers, but you will still need to be careful not to brush bare skin across the frames as it can get very hot.
Another solution to this is to go for powder-coated aluminium frames for your garden furniture. This coating prevents the surface of the metal from becoming too hot, also it helps to prevent against, scratches, rust, and corrosion.
2. Can be cumbersome
With metal furniture, especially, cast iron metal furniture can be heavy, making it harder to maneuverer around your outdoor space. This also makes it harder to store indoors during harsh weather.
Although this is a potential issue over metal furniture frames such as aluminium frames are lightweight making it easier to move around the garden to suit your needs. Powder-coated aluminium garden furniture offers enhanced durability and UV resistance, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of lightweight materials without the typical downsides such as reduced structural strength or susceptibility to being moved by strong winds.
3. Can become dented with heavy or improper use
Although metal frames are highly durable, it can still become scratched and dented with lots of use. Which means to prolong the life of your set you will need to take care of it, also for scratches you can get touch up paint for most sets so you can get it back to near new condition.
Metal vs rattan
When choosing between rattan and metal garden furniture, it comes mainly down to preference and aesthetics that suits you, and how you plan to use your outdoor space. Rattan furniture offers a timeless natural aesthetic with lightweight flexibility and comfort, making it ideal for relaxed. Rustic settings. It is easy to move, low-maintenance, and perfect for creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere.
On the other hand, metal furniture especially powder-coated aluminium delivers a sleek, modern look with exceptional durability and weather resistance. It is a great choice for those seeking a more contemporary design and a sturdy, long lasting design.
Both materials have their pros and cons, but then with the right care and consideration, either style can elevate your outdoor space into a stylish yet functional outdoor retreat. Whether you lean towards the organic rustic look of rattan or the cline sleek look of metal, you are sure to find a set that fits your space beautifully.
If you’re looking for high-quality, luxury rattan garden furniture, Alexander Francis has exactly what you need, including sofa sets, sun loungers, daybeds, dining sets and more. Our natural-look synthetic rattan garden furniture boasts powder-coated aluminium frames for durability and a wide range of cushion covers to suit any garden style. Not sure what you want? Contact our customer support team today – we’re always happy to help.
