Outdoor furniture comes in many types and is crafted from a variety of materials. You should have a comprehensive understanding of different uses of outdoor furniture materials, so that in the purchasing process, according to the customer preferences, usage scenarios, climate, and craftsmanship, you can select the right material that is suitable for your target market.
The common outdoor furniture materials include metal, wood, plastic, wicker/rattan, and fabrics used with outdoor furniture. The following will provide a detailed introduction to these different materials.
Metal
Metal is a durable and relatively reliable material, commonly used in outdoor furniture. Its surface can be treated in various ways, offering a wide range of colors and finishes. If your target audiences have diverse aesthetic preferences, then metal outdoor furniture is a suitable choice.
Among common metal outdoor furniture, there are three common materials: aluminum, steel, and cast iron. Each material has distinct characteristics, making them suitable for different styles and usage scenarios.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight, and it will naturally oxidize on the surface to form a protective layer of aluminum oxide during use, preventing corrosion from rust. It has strong weather resistance, low maintenance, and it can withstand harsh weather conditions. Additionally, it is recyclable, making it an exceptionally eco-friendly material.
During production, a powder coating process is applied to the surface to further enhance its rust resistance, providing strong corrosion resistance even in saltwater environments. Furthermore, aluminum doesn’t absorb heat; it maintains a cool touch even after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
In outdoor furniture applications, aluminum often features clean lines to highlight a variety of styles and exquisite designs, creating a refined and elegant garden atmosphere, and making it popular among many European and American households. If your target customers prioritize lightweight and stylish outdoor furniture, this material is an ideal choice for your procurement.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is the heaviest type of metal used in outdoor furniture, generally used to create vintage and classic-style outdoor furniture with a textured finish, featuring intricate patterns, delicate carvings, and an aged look.
Powder coating is often used in the manufacturing process for rust prevention. Its waterproofing performance is not as good as steel or aluminum. However, its weight makes it the strongest in resisting strong winds.
When inspecting cast iron outdoor furniture during procurement, wholesalers and retailers should pay attention to the strength of the welding points and the smoothness of the surface, ensuring stability and consistent aesthetic appeal. If your target customers are in areas with strong winds or prefer a classic style, then cast iron outdoor furniture is an ideal choice for your procurement.
Steel
Steel falls between cast iron and aluminum in weight, and offers strong resistance to high winds. It is harder than aluminum, and can withstand impacts from hard objects during daily use without easily denting. In the manufacturing process, powder coating is commonly used to prevent rust.
Steel has good thermal conductivity, meaning it can easily become hot under prolonged sunlight exposure. Therefore, caution is needed during daily use to prevent overheating and deformation of other components due to excessive sun exposure. You can request suppliers to produce various colors, styles, and finishes based on your target customers’ preferences.
GRC
GRC is a versatile material, ideal for natural, rustic-style outdoor furniture due to its texture and practicality. It combines the strength of concrete with the flexibility of fiberglass, allowing it to be molded into hollow structures, making it both lightweight and sturdy.
It offers high durability and weather resistance, and can withstand harsh environments. With crack and peel resistance, it can be used outdoors year-round, from the heat of summer to the cold of winter.
Leveraging its mold-forming advantages, GRC can be crafted into outdoor benches featuring diverse shapes and textures, creating an eco-friendly atmosphere that blends seamlessly with the natural environment of gardens and other outdoor spaces. This material is suitable for both end-users creating personal gardens and for hotel projects, allowing you to cater to both residential and commercial orders.
Wood
Wood is a popular material for outdoor leisure furniture with its natural and organic feel. It is often used to manufacture traditional-style outdoor furniture, bringing unparalleled warmth and elegance to the outdoor environment. Compared to other materials, it is slightly more expensive and requires appropriate protection in different weather conditions, as well as regular maintenance.
Teak is a hardwood with natural UV resistance, with dense grain and high oil content. It is waterproof, rot-resistant, insect-resistant, and has strong weather resistance.
With its beautiful appearance, sturdy structure, and durability, teak is often used in outdoor furniture such as outdoor tables and garden benches. However, teak is also more expensive than other woods, denser and heavier, making it difficult to move. You can also use teak for certain parts of outdoor furniture, depending on the situation, such as outdoor coffee table tops, outdoor table tops, and so on.
Stone
Stone generally has a natural texture, and it is strong and durable, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate natural materials and durability, and can create an elegant and timeless atmosphere.
The use of stone in outdoor furniture is generally divided into two categories: quartz and granite. It is also unique because each piece has a different grain pattern.
As a natural material, it is slightly more difficult to manufacture and therefore more expensive. It is also heavier, making it resistant to strong winds. If your target audience prefers natural materials to create a natural garden style, and values high weather resistance and low maintenance, then outdoor furniture made from this material will be your ideal choice.
Wicker / Rattan
Wicker and rattan are commonly used in outdoor furniture. It can be categorized into two types: one is natural, and the other is synthetic.
Natural wicker and rattan perfectly present the natural atmosphere, but they are prone to fading with prolonged use and exposure to sunlight. If it is used for a long time in the humid area, it is also prone to mold and deterioration, affecting its service life.
However, synthetic wicker and rattan are more commonly used in the current market. They primarily mimic the natural appearance of traditional wicker and rattan, maintaining a classic style when used in outdoor furniture. They also offer a variety of textures to choose from, depending on the specific needs of your target audience. They are moisture-proof, mold-resistant, crack-resistant, and fade-resistant, so they can be used year-round and retains its beautiful appearance without special maintenance.
This material is often used in outdoor sofa sets, outdoor sun loungers, and outdoor decorative items, making it ideal for your target groups who appreciate modern performance, classic aesthetics, and low maintenance requirements.
Plastic
Plastic is made from recycled materials, is an environmentally friendly material, and is also a common choice for outdoor furniture. It is suitable for all climates and is inexpensive. It can be injection molded into various creative shapes and is available in a wide range of colors, making it an ideal choice for those who are environmentally conscious and appreciate colorful outdoor furniture.
This type of plastic is used to create stackable, space-saving outdoor furniture, and its lightweight nature also allows for easy movement. However, it’s important to note that in areas with strong winds, proper storage is necessary to prevent it from being blown away, and it should also be protected from prolonged exposure to sunlight, which tends to fade the color, crack, and slightly degrade.
The plastic outdoor furniture is suitable for basic use in ordinary family gardens, as well as for commercial applications such as outdoor event rentals and public facilities. If you are a wholesaler, large retailer, affordable chain superstores, or an online retailer of basic garden furniture, it can effectively help you to improve sales.
Fabrics & Textiles
Most outdoor furniture, such as outdoor sofas, sun loungers, and swing chairs require some outdoor decorations to complement them during use. Cushions and seat pads are very common, and the fabrics used for these cushions need to meet certain requirements to withstand the varying outdoor weather conditions.
Commonly used fabrics such as olefin, Sling, PVC, and polyester will be introduced for you to expand one by one, and help you know how to choose the right fabric during the purchasing process.
Olefin
Olefin is a primary material choice for outdoor furniture fabrics, woven from tough yet soft olefin yarns. Olefin fabric is strong and durable, with high tensile and tear strength, and a very comfortable feel. It can withstand long periods of compression and friction, and has good weather resistance, making it less prone to brittleness and cracking during outdoor use. When exposed to water, the water molecules only form droplets on the surface and cannot penetrate the inner fibers, which have waterproof and quick-drying properties. Even when stained, this fabric can be easily cleaned with water or a mild detergent.
The excellent properties of olefin fabrics make them ideal for use in a wide range of outdoor furniture. If your target market is poolside or rainy, humid areas, olefin fabrics are worth your while.
PVC
PVC fabric is woven by solution-dyed olefin yarn. Due to its strong flexibility, it quickly recovers its original shape after bending or stretching during outdoor use. It adopts the original solution coloring process of color masterbatches with formulated additives, which prevents the photo-oxidation reaction when absorbing ultraviolet rays, so the color is not easy to fade even under long-term outdoor ultraviolet irradiation. As water molecules are difficult to penetrate into the fabric, it has good waterproof and mildew-resistant properties.
The wear-resistant modifiers will be added to the PVC fabrics during production, to enhance their hardness and smoothness, resulting in wear-resistant and scratch-resistant properties, and can be used in high-frequency environments. Because the price is lower than that of olefin and the production process is simple, it is suitable for use in affordable outdoor furniture. If your sales market is concentrated in price-sensitive and humid climate, then you can choose this kind of fabric.
Polyester
Polyester fabric is durable and maintains its original shape even after prolonged sitting, compression, and stretching, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use. Its high surface density and hardness make it resistant to wear and tear, and less prone to tearing during daily use. Treated with a hydrophobic and waterproof coating, it prevents mold growth even in rainy, humid environments or near swimming pools. Low maintenance, even if a drink is spilled, just wipe it up gently.
With its excellent shape retention and soft feel, polyester fabric is widely used in various types of scenes and outdoor furniture. No matter what the usage scenario is, it can help you meet your target user’s needs.
Sling
Sling fabric is a primary material commonly used for the seats and backrests of outdoor furniture. It features high-density weaving process that effectively distributes pressure, preventing sagging, collapsing, and deformation even after prolonged exposure to body weight and pressure. Sling fabric has a hydrophobic and breathable structure, effectively repelling water and achieving quick-drying and mildew-resistant properties. Furthermore, its high breathability prevents stuffiness even after extended periods of sitting.
Sling fabric is often used in outdoor furniture such as sun loungers, garden chairs, and beach chairs. Because of its wear-resistant and durable properties, whether your target group is domestic or high-frequency commercial premises use, this material can be handled with ease.
Outdoor Furniture Materials Comparison Table
To provide you with a clearer understanding about the use of various materials in outdoor furniture, here is a comparison table that gives you a brief overview of the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of different outdoor furniture materials.
| Material Types | Advantage | Disadvantage | Application |
| Wood | • Natural feel • Comfortable • Environmentally Sustainable • Durable | • Requires Regular Maintenance • Heavy weight • Susceptible to Weather • Expensive | • High End Patio / Marina Vacation Home Scene • High End Commercial Outdoor Scene |
| Metal | • Sturdy Structure • Weather-resistant and Long-lasting • Diverse designs | • Sharp Edges Pose Safety Hazards • Seating Experience isn’t Optimal • Easily Conducts Heat | • Home Courtyards, Patios • Commercial Outdoor Scene |
| Wicker/Rattan | • Natural Texture • Comfortable and Breathable Seating • Long-lasting | • Easy to hide dirt • Low Impact Resistance | • Home Courtyards, Patios • Commercial Outdoor Scene |
| Plastic | • Affordable • Lightweight • Low Maintenance • Diverse Colors and Styles | • Softens Easily at High Temperatures • Poor Impact Resistance • Limited Weight-bearing Capacity | • Home Courtyards, Patios • Children’s Outdoor Scenes • Commercial Outdoor Scene |
| Stone | • Natural texture • Strong Weather Resistance • Sturdy and Durable | • Excessively heavy • Expensive | • High-end Family Courtyards • Commercial Outdoor Scene |
| GRC | • Strong Weather Resistance • Original texture • High cost-effectiveness • Low Maintenance | • Difficulty in Adjusting Color • Brittle | • Mid to High End Home Patio • Outdoor Commercial Spaces |
Final Thought
As a professional outdoor furniture buyer or purchasing agent, you need to have a basic understanding of the materials used in each type of outdoor furniture, including their advantages and disadvantages. This guide will allow you to make targeted selections during your research of the target audience.
TOPMAX has over 30 years of experience in the outdoor furniture manufacturing industry. Intimately familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of each material, and know how to utilize them to maximize their performance. Therefore, we recommend that you should have a comprehensive understanding of outdoor furniture materials. That you can not only inform users about proper usage and maintenance in the instruction manuals, but also mix and match different materials to create customized outdoor furniture that better suits the preferences of your target customers. This will help you enhance your brand reputation and sales performance.
FAQ
How long does metal outdoor furniture last?
Metal outdoor furniture typically includes aluminum, steel, and cast iron.
Aluminum has a natural corrosion resistance and rust resistance, so the service life of up to 10-20 years, or even longer; steel rust, but when used in outdoor furniture, it is usually treated with powder coating to prevent rust and scratches, giving it a lifespan of 5-15 years; while the cast iron is thick and sturdy, is usually protected with a protective paint finish, resulting in a lifespan of 10 years or more.
What are the most popular outdoor furniture materials on the market?
The most popular outdoor furniture materials on the current market are mainly steel, aluminum, cast iron, solid wood (such as teak), plastic, and PE rattan. During the purchasing process, you need to choose materials based on your target audience’s preferences and the regional climate, or you can combine different materials.
Which outdoor furniture materials are weather-resistant, mold-resistant, and moisture-proof? Metals are molecularly dense and therefore do not absorb water and have no conditions for mold; synthetic rattan, GRC, and plastics are also polymers and have no conditions for mold growth. Fabrics such as olefin, polyester, and sling are high quality materials in their own right, but require a certain waterproof coating treatment process, to make the water bead up and roll off, thus providing mildew resistant properties.
Can outdoor furniture be manufactured using a mix of different materials?
Absolutely. This is currently a mainstream design and manufacturing trend in the market. By combining different materials in the manufacturing process, the advantages of different outdoor furniture materials are fully utilized, not only balancing aesthetics and cost, but also enhancing their overall practicality.
What is the best material for outdoor furniture?
There is no more absolute answer, it mainly depends on your budget, usage scenario, and priorities. For example:
If you are looking for ultimate low maintenance and durability, then aluminum is your best choice; if you are looking for environmental friendliness and sustainability, then wood or plastic is your ideal choice; if your target sales area is a high-salt region, then aluminum and stainless steel are your preferred options.
What is the strongest material for outdoor furniture?
It mainly depends on your intended use. If you focus on load bearing and strength, then stainless steel is the preferred choice, which can withstand huge static and impact forces without deformation; if you focus on impact and pressure resistance, cast iron is the best option, and few objects can deform its appearance in daily use.
What is the most durable material for outdoor furniture?
In terms of single materials, stainless steel is generally considered the most durable, but in practical applications, we also consider its cost and ease of use.
If it is a mix of materials, the powder coated aluminum + HDPE rattan is the most durable; the aluminum frame can solve the problem of rust, while the UV-resistant and water-repellent HDPE rattan prevents cracking and mildew.
Which outdoor furniture types are suitable for hot weather?
Outdoor furniture such as beach chairs, zero gravity chairs, and outdoor chairs mostly use Textilene fabric and aluminum frames, which can effectively reflect the sunlight and are not easy to absorb heat after sunbathing.
Outdoor sofa sets made with PE rattan and aluminum frames, feature a hollow woven design that creates natural airflow and can effectively dissipate heat. In addition, the anti-UV agent added to the PE material can effectively prevent brittle cracking and fading.
Outdoor umbrellas, awnings, and gazebos use high UPF sun protection factors, providing shade and protection against long-term direct sunlight and UV rays.
Which outdoor furniture types are suitable for cold and snowy weather?
Firstly, the fireplace set is very suitable; it can provide a heat source to alleviate the cold. Teak furniture remains stable at low temperatures, its natural internal oils resist cold and humidity, and its non-absorbent nature prevents it from freezing and causing expansion and cracking. The aluminum outdoor furniture can also be used in cold weather, because aluminum does not become brittle at low temperatures, and the powder coating used for rust prevention is not easily affected by ice and snow.
Which type of outdoor furniture is suitable for use in areas with humid climates?
The humid climate is mainly concentrated in coastal and rainy areas. The type of outdoor furniture that is suitable for this environment, needs to meet the water resistance, salt erosion, and mold resistance.
Outdoor furniture types suitable for this environment include outdoor sofa sets, beach chairs, and sun loungers, etc. But they should be made of materials such as aluminum frames + PE rattan, olefin, and Textilene fabric. Teak wood outdoor furniture is also suitable.
