Is your rattan weatherproof?

In this post, we compare the materials used in high-quality and cheap rattan furniture, so you can understand what you’re buying, and make an informed decision.

Don’t Fall For The “Mainstream Retailer” Garden Furniture Trap

A syndicate of retailers (including many well known brands) try to pass-off cheap materials in their “premium” garden furniture.

They use terms like “weather-resistant”, and “showerproof”, as a way to make it sound on first glance as if it’s a durable set.

Unfortunately, they’re often using cheap steel for the frame (which will rust), and cheap plastic for the weave (which will rot and fade).

We’ve seen it, we hate it, and that’s why choose to be different.

Here are the important criteria you need to look for when purchasing weatherproof rattan furniture:

Materials

The biggest influence on whether a set is weatherproof is the materials it’s made from.

The main considerations are:

1. Frame material
2. Rattan material

Frame Material – Choose Aluminium

The frame is the foundation of your furniture, and provides the strength to support your bodyweight.

The frame of weatherproof rattan should be made from aluminium, to ensure it doesn’t rust when being left outside in adverse weather.

Look for:

• Lightweight – aluminium isn’t heavy, and smaller items should be light enough to lift with one hand.
• Confident “weatherproof” or “all weather” product labelling.

Avoid:

• Very Heavy Furniture – this is a sign of a steel frame, which will rust.
• Wishy-washy messaging like “weather-resistant” or “showerproof”.

Rattan Material – UV Stabilized

The outside of weatherproof rattan furniture should be made from handwoven strands of synthetic rattan, that have been UV stabilized to prevent fading and rotting.

Look for:

• The rattan having a natural “give”, and being able to slightly move the strands – this shows it’s handwoven.
• Look for product labelling mentioning “UV stabilized” or “UV Stabilization”.

Avoid:

• Missing assurances of fading.
• Solid plastic shells, no give when sitting.

Why don’t you recommend weatherproof cushions?

We, like other retailers, have had plenty of opportunities to test and stock weatherproof or “quick-drying” cushions over the years.

Our main issue with them is that they’re not comfortable.

They feel rough to the touch (like hospital-grade washable soft furnishings), which isn’t what luxurious garden furniture is supposed to feel like.

If you really don’t want to store your cushions, then you’ll be able to find these other types on other websites, but not on Garden Centre Shopping.

Choose Garden Centre Shopping for your rattan

Shop our rattan furniture now, or contact us for more information about why we’re different.

You can also hear about other common questions we get about our rattan furniture in our FAQ article here.

To browse all of our weatherproof garden furniture, see our shopping page.

If you want to read more about the materials used in garden furniture, then click here.