Wood, aluminium, plastic - which material is the best for garden furniture? An overview of the most popular garden furniture materials and their properties.
If you want to spend the summer in the garden, you have to be well equipped. Because especially in spring we are often out in the fresh air, barbecuing and spending evenings together in the garden. And to create the right atmosphere or to make the garden really cozy, you need the right garden furniture. Tables and chairs, loungers and even entire sofa landscapes can now find their place outdoors.
However, adverse weather conditions mean that garden furniture is gone relatively quickly and is therefore no longer usable. It is therefore important to know what materials you can use to face this thing. In this article, we would therefore like to give you a few design tips and address a few points with regard to the question of materials.
Spend cozy hours in the garden
When it comes to the garden, many people are suddenly very creative and willing to work. Understandably, gardening is one of the most strenuous and at the same time fulfilling jobs in the home, which you can do voluntarily and at your whim. Beds are then laid out or a small pond is fitted with a bridge, just to set further accents and to find the right frame. But what would all this be without the right garden furniture? After all, they are the ones that invite us to linger and let us really enjoy the splendor of the garden.
In order to have something from the garden furniture for a long time, you have to rely on the right materials. After all, cold and wet autumn months and a snowy winter demand a lot from outdoor furniture for most of the year. Therefore, before you buy garden furniture, you should think very carefully about which material you want to use. Because the different materials have different needs in terms of care. Here is a comparison of aluminium, wood, plastic and polyrattan.
Garden furniture materials and theirProperties
» Aluminum garden furniture:
Aluminium, for example, is highly recommended. Although it is one of the light metals, it is increasingly being used in the garden. The big advantage is that this material is light and flexible, so many objects can be designed and built with it. It is completely insensitive to heat, frost and moisture, making it ideal as a material for garden furniture.
If such objects are left out in the fresh air all year round, a so-called oxide layer forms on the surface, which makes the material extremely weather-resistant and weatherproof. In addition, this material is easy to handle and clean because it does not react to certain pH values and the like in cleaning agents. This property takes advantage of the fact that wood is very often combined with aluminum to create a robust overall product. Simple and plain to take the focus elsewhere.
In short:
✓ weather and corrosion resistant
✓ light weight
✓ very easy to clean
✓ durable
✗ Aluminum gets very hot in summer
» Plastic garden furniture:
Plastic, like aluminium, convinces with a high degree of weather resistance. However, this material heats up relatively quickly in the summer, so we recommend using pads.
Another disadvantage: In winter there is a risk that the material will become brittle and break. It is therefore better to put the garden furniture inside in winter. On top of that, also pay attention to the workmanship, which is reflected in the price, in order to get high-quality products. The price will then in turn be reflected in the optics. Because run-of-the-mill plastic chairs and tables are a thing of the past. Nowadays there is already beautiful garden furniture made of this material, which can really enhance the look of the garden.
In a nutshell:
✓ inexpensive
✓ available in all colors and shapes
✓ very easy to care for
✓ weather-resistant
✓ often stackable or collapsible
✗ fades
✗ material quickly becomes brittle
» Wooden garden furniture:
If you like it rustic or, for example, want to design a terrace in a country house style, you should opt for wooden garden furniture. This natural material not only blends in perfectly with the look of the garden, it can also be used in terms of durability and durabilityscore quality. Because high-quality processed wood is not only robust, it also proves to be extremely durable.
When making your selection, it is best to choose hardwood. This is almost completely resistant to moisture and rot and also insensitive to UV radiation. Nevertheless, you should still oil the wooden furniture from time to time and sand it down every now and then if the surface becomes too rough.
In short:
✓ looks very natural
✓ durable
✓ robust
✓ pleasant body feeling too at high temperatures
✗ regular care required
✗ susceptible to weathering
✗ heavy
» Garden furniture made of polyrattan:
Garden furniture made of polyrattan is currently very trendy. That is why the wicker furniture can also be found in quite a few gardens. And not just because of the appealing look. Because the great thing about the material is that it is very easy to care for and also withstands moisture and UV radiation.
But these are just some of the positive properties of polyrattan. Garden furniture made of poly rattan also looks really great. With their good seating comfort, they stand out in design from the usual garden chairs and make every garden look elegant and noble. Whole sofa landscapes made of polyrattan, for example, are also very popular at the moment. Combined with pretty upholstery, a real outdoor living room can be set up in no time that invites you to linger and relax outdoors.
The only drawback: Garden furniture made of poly rattan is currently still very expensive. But you can still find bargains here if you keep your eyes peeled. The largest garden furniture exhibitor in Europe, Kees Smit garden furniture, for example, constantly adjusts its prices to the market in order to always be able to offer you the best price in top quality and with a low price guarantee. Beautiful and, above all, comfortable garden furniture does not always have to cost a fortune.
In short:
✓ weatherproof
✓ retains shape and color even under strong UV radiation
✓ low weight
✓ very easy to care for
A little tip:
Polyrattan is the perfect material for garden furniture for seniors. Because they are weatherproof, durable and durable. And best of all: garden furniture made of poly rattan is very easy to care for.