I’ve built a fair bit of outdoor furniture over the years, including the garden sofa in the photo below, made from iroko hardwood. So when people ask me what material to use for patio furniture, I have a genuine opinion. The honest answer is: it depends on your priorities, but most people end up either buying cheap and replacing, or investing once and forgetting about it. This guide cuts through the noise on the most common materials.
When choosing materials for patio furniture for the outdoor space, one needs to be extra cautious. After all, everybody wants luxury outdoor furniture that is easy to care for, durable, and visually striking. Outdoor furniture is exposed to the elements like sun, rain and snow. So it is important to choose the right material for your patio furniture. You want to make sure that your outdoor furniture is easy to clean, but you also want it to be weatherproof.
It’s important to know about the different and the best materials for outdoor furniture, the pros, and the cons before making the final decision. Given below are the different types of materials that are found to be most suitable for patio and outdoor furniture.
1: Wood
Wood is still the best-looking option, full stop. My garden sofa is built from iroko, a West African hardwood with similar properties to teak. It handles Cornwall’s wet winters without complaint, and a quick sand and oil every year or two keeps it looking good.
If you’re going the wood route, species choice matters more than finish. The ones worth considering:
- Teak – the benchmark for outdoor hardwoods. Naturally oily, rot-resistant, and will last decades. Expensive, but probably the last garden furniture you’ll buy.
- Iroko – my personal choice. Very similar to teak in durability, considerably cheaper.
- Acacia – widely available and decent value. Needs more maintenance than teak or iroko.
- Cedar – lighter and softer, good for low-contact furniture like planters or benches. Less suited to heavily used seating.
- Ipe – extremely hard and dense, almost maintenance-free. Hard to work with and pricier than teak in some cases.
Con: The upfront cost is higher than plastic or aluminium. Budget softwoods treated with preservatives are not the same thing and won’t last.
2. Composite
Composite decking boards have been around long enough that we now have good data on how they hold up. The furniture equivalent is similar: a blend of wood fibre and plastic resin that doesn’t rot, doesn’t splinter, and requires very little upkeep.
It doesn’t look quite like real wood up close, but from a few feet away it’s convincing. Good for people who want the look without the maintenance.
Con: Not cheap, and quality varies significantly between manufacturers.
3. Wicker and Rattan
Natural rattan is best kept covered or brought inside over winter. The stuff that’s actually worth buying for year-round outdoor use is synthetic rattan (PE rattan), which looks similar but handles sun and rain without cracking or going brittle.
It’s a popular choice for contemporary garden sets and holds up well in most UK climates if it’s of decent quality.
Con: Cheap versions fade and go brittle quickly. Spend a bit more or avoid entirely.
4. Aluminum
Cast aluminium is arguably the most practical choice for most people. It doesn’t rust, it’s light enough to move around, and it needs almost nothing from you in terms of maintenance. It also works well in coastal locations where salt air would attack iron or steel.
Powder-coated frames in particular are very tough and retain their finish for years.
Con: Can feel a bit light and insubstantial in high winds. Some cheaper frames flex more than they should.
5. Wrought Iron
Wrought iron furniture is heavy, ornate, and built to last. It has a particular look that suits formal or traditional gardens. The weight is actually an advantage in one sense, it won’t blow around in a gust.
The downside is maintenance. It will rust if the finish gets chipped and isn’t touched up. Expect to treat it every few years.
Con: Heavy, harder to move, and needs periodic rust treatment.
6. Plastic
Standard plastic garden furniture is cheap and cheerful. Fine if you’re not bothered about aesthetics, but it fades and can crack in cold temperatures over time.
Recycled plastic (HDPE lumber) is a different story. It’s made from post-consumer plastic waste, looks more like wood, and is genuinely tough. Some manufacturers offer 25-year warranties. Worth considering if sustainability matters to you.
Con: Virgin plastic looks cheap. Recycled plastic furniture tends to be heavier and costs more than you’d expect.
Wrap Up
The material that suits you best comes down to three things: how much maintenance you’re willing to do, your budget, and how long you want it to last. If I’m buying once and forgetting about it, it’s hardwood or aluminium. If budget is tight, look at recycled plastic rather than cheap softwood, it’ll outlast it by years.
If you’re covering your furniture or putting it under a veranda, almost any material becomes more viable. I built a covered area specifically to extend the life of my outdoor seating. Worth considering if you’re investing in quality pieces.
