A Guide to Furniture Materials
- Post created by: Louis O.
- Last reviewed: 29 Jan 2025
Garden furniture comes in a variety of styles, and the material you choose is very personal. It could be based on many factors, depending on the look you are going for – traditional or contemporary – your budget, and the benefits that each material can bring to your garden. Garden4less source the very best quality garden furniture, made from aluminium, weave or wood. These each have their benefits, which we will look at in this post.
Aluminium
Our range of Aluminium Garden Furniture benefits from being lightweight, weatherproof and long-lasting. This comes in two types: cast aluminium, which has been moulded in a frame and has a traditional look (such as Hartman’s Amalfi and Berkeley sets) or non-moulded sets which have a more contemporary feel, such as Hartman’s Rio sets. Whichever you choose, both are ideal for your garden.
Aluminium garden furniture is extremely durable – it won't rust – and therefore ideal for the British weather. You can leave it outside all year, with very little maintenance, making it the perfect choice for fuss-free alfresco dining. You won't need to scrub it or treat it, just an occasional wipe down with warm soapy water and a clean cloth to keep it looking its best.
Weave
Our Weave Garden Furniture is made from durable resin, which is favoured among many for its sturdy yet lightweight structure. The ranges can easily be cleaned and are virtually resistant to all kinds of weather, making them very low-maintenance.
Weave furniture looks great in the garden, but is also a popular choice for conservatories and summer houses. This enables the ability to have a consistent feel which flows from the house out into the garden. The weave is also able to flex, so many see the furniture as being more comfortable than other styles from metal or wooden varieties.
Weave furniture is often made in three different ways: flatweave, half round and round. Flatweave consists of a single, thin layer of material, which benefits from being lightweight and cost effective. Round and half round weave has thicker and more three-dimensional shapes. These are heavier, but stronger than flat weave.
Rope
An emerging addition to weave garden furniture is rope weave, in which chair backs are woven with a synthetic weave to give a stylish rope appearance. Rope Weave Garden Furniture is a stylish, durable choice for outdoor furniture, and includes the Hartman Portico range. Woven over a light but strong aluminium frame, it is rust free, lightweight, strong, durable and low maintenance. With its contemporary design, rope weave effortlessly blends into any setting, bringing a modern touch to any garden.
Wood
Our Wooden Garden Furniture is made from a range of different woods, from Teak to Acacia, to suit your garden style, while we also sell a popular low maintenance wood effect resin range, Winawood.
In terms of looks, the majority of wood types will turn a different colour as they age, unless treated, which may influence your choice of wooden furniture. This can be prevented if desired with a quick varnish once a year.
Colour aside, from benches to lounge sets, rigidity is key. Hardwoods such as Oak and Acacia have a very tight grain and will rarely warp over time; the tightness reduces the amount of moisture the wood soaks in. Hardwood also requires less maintenance in terms of varnishing sealants; however, for the sake of maintaining a desired colour, you may still wish to apply it.
Winawood
Winawood is a great choice if you do not relish the prospect of maintaining your wooden furniture year after year. Coming in a range of painted wood colours, this zero maintenance wood effect furniture is guaranteed to last year after year, whilst still looking as good as the day you bought it. Winawood products can be kept outside uncovered 365 days a year, and there is no painting required. If over time they discolour, you can sand them down to reveal a fresh colour underneath the surface - the colour is penetrated throughout the wood.
Cover up
Our furniture frames are weatherproof so can be left outdoors, uncovered, all year round. However, storing or covering your set with a furniture cover will always help to prolong its life even further, keeping it clean in the winter months.
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