Outdoor Interiors Patio Furniture Buying guide

Not all wood is created equal… Teak and Eucalyptus stand the test of time

Brazilian Eucalyptus, A renewable resource - eucalyptus is a plantation-grown hardwood that is sustainably harvested and in plentiful supply. This high-quality, kiln-dried timber is incredibly solid with great durability and strength and has beautiful grain and a smooth finish that requires minimal maintenance. Eucalyptus is extremely dense, rot- and decay-resistant with a high oil content that repels water and moisture. It also weathers to a soft gray if left untreated, however, it can be stained to maintain its rich tones.

Teak, The king of durable woods, teak will hold up long enough to pass down to the next generation. It needs no maintenance (aside from the occasional light sanding or cleaning to remove surface dirt), is dense and straight-grained, and will not warp or crack over time. Because of its high mineral content, teak resists rotting even in the wettest conditions. Over time, the surface of the wood will weather to a beautiful silver-gray patina.

Make the right choice when buying Wicker

Synthetic Resin Wicker, also known as All-Weather Wicker, is made from resins that are extracted from plant matter. These liquids are capable of hardening permanently. There are several types of resin wickers ranging from cheap plastics to HDPE. Synthetic resin wicker undergoes a polymerization process that creates an epoxy like material.

Types of Resin Wicker

  • PVC Wicker (WORST)
  • Nylon
  • Polyethylene
  • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Wicker (BEST)

HDPE wicker is the highest quality resin material. It’s made from a compound that is very dense so that it is extremely durable in all outdoor conditions. HDPE is made with the same material through and through meaning that what’s inside is the same as what you see on the outside; you can’t “peel away the layers.” This is why imperfections are hard to find even on HDPE wicker sets that have been used for years.

As long as you know that the outdoor wicker furniture set that you are interested in is made from Polyethylene, then you do not have to purchase a brand name synthetic wicker fiber such as Ecolene, Rehau, and Viro. Not only is PVC a less durable choice, but it emits toxic compounds during production and decomposition that are very harmful to the environment.

The Best Metal for Patio Furniture

Avoid Steel! When exposed to the elements steel will rust. Even if powder coated, steel will rust because the powder coating will inevitably become scratched with use and expose the steel. Not only is rust ugly, but as steel rusts it expands and weakens. Aluminum will oxidize when exposed to the elements but you cannot see it like you can on steel or iron. Aluminum “rust” is the same color as regular aluminum so it will stay beautiful for decades. Furthermore, it does not expand and weaken like steel.

Made with Adobe Slate

Make your words and images move.

Get Slate

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.