Rattan vs Cane vs Wicker – What’s the Difference?

People often think wicker furniture is one type of woven furniture, but wicker can refer to a whole range of different materials.

Wicker refers to reed, willow, rattan, cane, seagrass or bamboo; any type of woven furniture is called wicker.

It can get a little confusing because the actual act of weaving furniture is also known as wicker.

Wicker is the process, whereas rattan, cane, seagrass, reed and bamboo are the materials.

In order to understand the craft of building furniture with the use of natural materials and the process of weaving itself, it is necessary to learn about wicker, rattan, and cane separately.

What is Wicker?

When a natural or synthetic material is woven into a pattern it is referred to as wicker, and the pattern itself is known as wickerwork.

To build wicker furniture thin strips of material are woven around metal frames. Wicker furniture is often left natural, but depending on your personal taste it may also be stained or painted to suit any decor.

Natural Wicker can be created from the following materials:

• Reed
• Cane
• Rattan
• Seagrass
• Bamboo
• Willow

Synthetic Wicker can be created from the following materials:

• Resin
• Vinyl

Benefits of Choosing Natural Wicker

1. If you are going for a tropical motif look no further that wicker furniture. The natural and airy look and feel of wicker complements any tropical design perfectly.
2. The organic look of wicker furniture makes it the ideal furniture to complement an environmentally-friendly interior design style.
3. Wicker furniture is extremely lightweight making it a great choice for a child’s bedroom.

Benefits of Synthetic Wicker:

1. Better varieties are UV stabilized which means the material is treated to not fade or rot when left outdoors.
2. More premium models also have an aluminium frame, which prevents rusting, and keeps the furniture strong for many years.
3. The woven material is perfect on a patio, as water will easily drain, it is not too hot to sit on and it is easy to move and store.

Maintaining Natural Wicker

Wicker furniture is durable, and it will last for several years if you take care of it properly. Like all furniture wicker must be kept clean and dust free in order to maintain the beauty and strength of the materials. Here is an easy guide to follow when maintaining your wicker furniture:

• Use any clear furniture polish to prevent dust from gathering too quickly. Clean your wicker furniture regularly. If you see dust and dirt start to accumulate simply give your furniture a good wipe-down.
• Once a year you may want to apply a lacquer to your wicker furniture. This will help to protect the furniture and keep the materials strong.
• Soap and water are ideal to use on wicker furniture, especially if it is extremely dirty.

A quick dusting with sandpaper can help.

What is Rattan?

Rattan is a tropical palm tree that is native to Southeast Asia. The rattan palm grows and climbs over other plants like a vine. Rattan is an extremely strong wood which makes it the perfect material to build furniture from. Rattan is most often produced in the Philippines and then imported to several other countries such as Canada and the United States where it is sold. The unique beauty of rattan makes it a popular choice for not only furniture, but handicrafts and art as well.

What is Cane?

You may be surprised to learn that cane is a part of the rattan palm. Cane is found under the skin of the rattan vine. It is often left unpainted to highlight the beauty of its natural state. Cane is slender and flexible which makes it ideal to wrap around solid hardwood, steel, or aluminium frames creating strong and beautiful furniture.

One great quality of cane is that it is not very porous. This makes it a water-resistant material, perfect for furniture, because spills can be easily wiped off. Because of this, and the flexible nature of cane, it is often used to create chair seats and tabletops.

Cane and rattan are often used together in furniture building. Rattan is typically treated with paint or stain, but cane is customarily left in its natural state. Cane, being the stronger of the two is often used for binding the pieces of rattan together.

Rattan and cane are both relatively inexpensive, and it is easier to find great deals on wicker furniture as compared to solid hardwood. Wicker furniture is lightweight and easy to move and transport.

If you are concerned about your carbon footprint and would like to become more environmentally-friendly, buying cane and rattan wicker furniture is one great way to do this. You could even take it one step further and produce your own wicker furniture made from cane and rattan. There are tons of videos online to help you learn this process.