Powder-coated aluminium, seasoned hardwoods such as teak, and high-quality all-weather synthetic wicker are the safest bets for outdoor furniture. The simplest rule for choosing between them: match the material to your climate and to how much upkeep you are willing to do. Everything else in this guide is detail on that one decision.
TL;DR:
- For coastal or humid settings, choose aluminum or quality synthetic wicker; avoid steel unless its coating is excellent and checked regularly.
- Choose teak for dining tables or a premium look if you accept regular oiling or its natural silver gray patina; acacia needs more frequent oiling.
- WPC needs only soap and water for cleaning, but ultraviolet light and moisture can fade its surface and reduce mechanical properties before structural damage appears.
- For lounging, choose quality wicker with deep cushions; for dining, aluminum or teak tables handle heat, spills, and plates better than most wicker tops.
Table of Contents
How each outdoor furniture material performs outside
Every material trades something for something else. Here is how the main ones behave once they leave the showroom.
- Teak and other hardwoods: Teak is dense and naturally oily, so it resists rot and insects well. Left untreated, it fades from honey brown to silver grey. Acacia is a cheaper hardwood that looks similar but needs oiling more often, and it can crack if left in constant sun. Teak can be a long-lasting choice with light care; acacia may have a shorter lifespan.
- Aluminium: It does not rust, it is light enough to move around, and a powder coating adds colour. The weak point is the coating: chips let moisture reach bare metal, where white oxidation can start. Good for coastal gardens and low-effort owners.
- Steel: Strong and heavy, so it stays put in wind. It rusts once the coating is breached, which makes it a poor choice for humid or salty air unless the finish is excellent and checked regularly.
- Synthetic wicker or rattan: Resin fibres woven over a frame, usually aluminium. Quality fibres resist UV, rain and mildew and feel comfortable with cushions. Cheap fibres go brittle and split, so fibre quality matters more than the weave.
- Wood-plastic composite (WPC): A blend of wood fibre and polymer. UV and moisture exposure can change its colour and reduce mechanical properties. Manufacturing conditions and additives can influence weathering, but moisture control and processing method remain central to durability, as the US Forest Products Laboratory research describes.
- Plastics: Cheap, light and waterproof. Resin chairs can fade and turn chalky in strong sun, and they are the least likely to feel like an investment piece. Fine for occasional seating.
For coastal use, favour aluminium and quality wicker. For loungers, wicker with cushions is hard to beat. For the lowest maintenance, aluminium or WPC.
Which material suits your priorities
Match the material to what matters most to you, not to a generic “best” list. This echoes the approach in Forbes Vetted’s materials guide, which ties the choice to climate, lifestyle and willingness to maintain.
- Low maintenance: Powder-coated aluminium first, then WPC. Both need soap and water rather than oils or sealants.
- Coastal or humid conditions: Aluminium and high-quality synthetic wicker. Steel is the one to avoid. Teak copes, but expect it to silver.
- Premium look: Teak wins on character and ages gracefully. Choose it if you accept either regular oiling or a silver patina.
- Tight budget: Acacia, steel with a good coating, or resin plastics cost less up front, but factor in the upkeep or the shorter lifespan.
- Lounging: Synthetic wicker sectionals with deep cushions give the most comfort. Aluminium frames with sling seats are lighter and drier.
- Dining: Aluminium or teak tables hold up to plates, heat and spills better than most wicker tops. Pair with wicker chairs if you want a softer look.
Pro Tip: Sit on the cushions and run a fingernail across the finish in person if you can. Fabric that feels thin, or a coating that scratches easily, will not survive a season outdoors.
What to check before you buy
Work through these points, then put the questions to the seller.
- Exposure: Full sun, open rain and salty air are harder on furniture than a covered patio.
- Use and household: Children and pets scratch, spill and chew, so tougher finishes pay off.
- Maintenance appetite: Be honest about whether you will oil wood or wipe down metal.
- Desired lifespan: Decide whether you want a five-year or a fifteen-year purchase.
- Cushion fabric and warranty: Ask whether the fabric is solution-dyed or water-resistant, and exactly what the warranty covers.
- Seller questions: Ask about the finish type, recommended care, replacement parts, and delivery or installation.
We list our outdoor and garden ranges with transparent prices online, so you can compare before you commit.
Care that keeps each material going
Small, regular jobs prevent expensive repairs.
- Teak: Oil it to keep the golden tone, or leave it to silver naturally. Both are fine; silver teak is not damaged teak.
- Aluminium: Wash with mild soap and check the powder coating for chips. Touch up any nicks promptly.
- WPC: Wash gently and watch for surface wear or fading. These changes can affect appearance and mechanical properties.
- Wicker: Cover it during heavy weather and store cushions indoors in the rainy season.
- Seasonal habits: Lift legs off damp ground where possible, and treat early rust spots or mildew with a soft brush and mild cleaner before they spread.
Pro Tip: Do a quick inspection at the start of each season: check joints, coatings and cushion seams.
What the research says about composite weathering
Low-maintenance claims for composites deserve a closer look. Weathering studies on wood-plastic composites describe colour changes and mechanical property loss associated with UV and water exposure. Photostabilisers, pigments and manufacturing conditions influence how quickly these changes appear. Review work on UV degradation notes that surface damage often arrives before any structural problem. Surface degradation can occur faster than structural compromise, so appearance may change before the furniture’s structure is affected.
A retailer’s closing advice
Choose the material you will actually look after, not the one that sounds best on paper. Test finishes and cushions in person where you can, and look at the whole cost: price, delivery and aftercare together. We keep our prices clear and answer questions about delivery and care so there are no surprises after the sale.
— aduki
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FAQ
Which outdoor dining set is the most durable?
Aluminium and teak dining sets are generally the most durable, since neither rots or rusts easily. Aluminium needs less care, while teak rewards occasional oiling with a long life.
What are lawn chairs made of?
Most lawn chairs are made of aluminium, steel, resin plastic, wood or synthetic wicker over a metal frame. Aluminium and resin are the lightest and easiest to move.
How long does outdoor furniture last?
It depends on the material, exposure and care. Well-kept aluminium, teak and quality wicker last far longer than cheap plastic or uncoated steel, and covering furniture in harsh weather extends any lifespan.
Is aluminium good for patio furniture?
Yes. Aluminium does not rust, is light, and suits coastal and humid settings, provided you keep the powder coating intact and touch up any chips.
