Garden Furniture: 8 Essential Seating Materials For Your Amazing Outdoor Space

One of the China Foshan outdoor furniture manufacturers and outdoor furniture suppliers, with our own factory and designer team. Our company is established in 2007. Accept wholesale, OEM, ODM and distributor orders. Looking for long-term business partnership.

 

When choosing the ideal garden furniture, the material it’s made of is crucial for its aesthetics, comfort, durability, and ongoing maintenance. With so many options on the market, understanding the properties of different materials is crucial. This article will analyze eight popular garden furniture materials to help you easily create an outdoor living space that’s both beautiful and practical.

8 Essential Seating Materials For Your Garden Furniture

1. Upholstered Fabric Seat

• Features: It provides an exceptionally soft seating feel, similar to an indoor sofa. We use a high-performance, outdoor-specific fabric with excellent UV resistance, mildew resistance and a degree of water resistance.
• Advantages: Maximum comfort. Stylish and luxurious appearance. A wide selection of colors and patterns.
• Note: Even after treatment, the garden furniture still needs to be covered or stored after prolonged exposure to extreme wind and rain. Regular cleaning and maintenance will extend its lifespan. The frame material (aluminum alloy) is also important.

2.PE Rattan Seat

Features: Made of polyethylene (PE) material, it mimics rattan weaving. PE Rattan is one of the most popular garden furniture materials.

Advantages:

• Excellent Weather Resistance: UV-resistant, waterproof, mildew-resistant, resistant to high and low temperatures, and resistant to cracking and fading.
• Realistic Appearance: Mimics the grain of natural rattan, creating a natural and beautiful texture.
• Easy to Clean: Simply rinse with water or wipe with a damp cloth.
• Lightweight and Durable: Lighter and stronger than natural rattan.

Suitable for various outdoor environments, especially those exposed to strong sunlight, rain, and humidity. Frames are often made of aluminum alloy.

3.Wicker Rattan Seat

• Features: Crafted using artificial wicker to create a woven effect. In modern garden furniture, this often refers to the “wicker” look achieved with imitation rattan materials,such as PE rattan.
• Advantages: This material offers a unique natural texture and handcrafted feel. It also offers excellent breathability. Modern imitation wicker materials offer all the advantages of PE rattan.

4. Textilene Seat

Features: A high-performance polyester mesh fabric, often with a PVC coating.

Advantages:

• High Strength and Durability: High tear and stretch resistance.
• Excellent Breathability: The mesh structure ensures air circulation, keeping you comfortable even after extended sitting.
• Quick-Drying and Waterproof: No water accumulation, drying quickly after rain.
• UV and Mildew Resistant: Suitable for long-term outdoor use.
• Easy to Clean and Maintain: Easy to wipe or rinse.

Applications

Commonly used for seat surfaces, backrests, and reclining seats. Particularly suitable for garden furniture designs that emphasize a refreshing feel and modern, minimalist style.

5. PL Woven Rope Seat

• Features: This refers to a seat surface woven from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) rope.
• Advantages: Bright, long-lasting colors (especially PP rope). Waterproof, mildew-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. Soft and flexible. Comfortable to sit on. Easy to clean (wash or scrub).
• Considerations: While PP rope may be slightly less durable than PE rope under prolonged sunlight, it is still an excellent outdoor material. When purchasing, pay attention to the rope’s braid density and support structure. Available in a variety of styles, it is commonly found in casual garden furniture.

6. Twisted PE Rope Seat

• Features: Made from polyethylene (PE) rope. Twistedto enhance its strength and texture. It’s then woven into the seat.
• Advantages: It inherits all the weather-resistant benefits of PE rope(UV resistance, water resistance, mildew resistance, etc.). The twisting process makes it thicker, more abrasion-resistant, and less likely to unravel. It provides a more stable and durable structure. The surface texture is more pronounced, giving it a unique feel. It’s also easy to clean.
• Considerations: It has a more refined and rugged, natural look than ordinary plastic rope. It’s a good choice for those seeking garden furniture with greater durability and a unique look.

7. Aluminum Seat

Features: Lightweight yet sturdy metal. Commonly used for garden furniture seating.

Advantages:

• Superior Weather Resistance: Inherently rust-resistantand corrosion-resistant. It can resist rain, moisture, and even seaside salt spray.
• Lightweight and Portable: Much lighter than steel or cast iron.
• Sturdy and Stable: Excellent load-bearing capacity and resist deformation.
• Modern and Simple: Sleek lines. It can create a modern, minimalist, or industrial look. Available in a variety of finishes .

Considerations

Pure aluminum seats (non-woven) can feel cold and hard to the touch. It often requires upholstery. It is the preferred material for high-end garden furniture.

8. Comfort Upgrade: Seat Cushions and Pillows

• Core Filling: High-Density Sponge
• Feature: High-resilience, high-density sponge.
• Benefits: Provide excellent support and comfortable sitting and lying. Resist collapse and deformafter prolonged sitting, with excellent resilience. The higher the density, the greater the support, durability, and compression set resistance.
• External Protection: Waterproof Fabric

Benefits:

• Waterproof/Repellent: Effectively block rain and spilled beverages, preventing the internal sponge from getting wet and moldy.
• Quick-Drying: Dryquickly even when wet.
• UV Resistant: Prevent fading and fiber degradation caused by sun exposure.
• Mold and Bacteria Resistant: Inhibit mold growth for enhanced hygiene.
• Easy to Clean: Stains can be removed with a damp cloth or mild soap and water.

 

Material Comparison at a Glance

Feature	PE Rattan	Textilene	PL Woven Rope	Twisted PE Rope	Aluminum Seat	Upholstered Fabric
Comfort	Med-High	Medium (Breathable)	Medium	Medium (Yielding)	Low (Needs Cushion)	Very High
Durability	Very High	Very High	Very High	High	Very High	Medium-High
Weather Resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
Water Resistance	Excellent	Excellent (Fast Dry)	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Fair
UV Resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
Maintenance	Very Easy	Very Easy	Very Easy	Very Easy	Very Easy	Medium
Weight	Medium	Light	Medium-Heavy	Medium	Very Light	Heavy
Style	Natural	Modern	Versatile	Rustic/Nautical	Modern	Luxurious
Best Suited	All-Purpose	All-Purpose (Hot Climates)	All-Purpose	Relaxed Areas	All-Purpose (Humid/Coastal)	Covered Areas

 

Buying Tips

(1) Identify your needs and environment

Is your garden fully exposed, partially shaded, or covered? What is the local climate like (sunlight intensity, rainfall)? How often is it used?

(2) Prioritize weather resistance and ease of maintenance

The outdoor environment is demanding. PE rattan, textilene mesh, twisted PE rope, and aluminum alloy seats are the mainstream and recommended choices for garden furniture due to their excellent weather resistance and low maintenance requirements.

(3) Comfort is essential

For areas where prolonged sitting is required, garden furniture with fabric upholstery or high-quality outdoor cushions/pillows (high-density sponge+ waterproof fabric) is essential to enhance the experience.

(4) Style and Budget

The material directly influences the overall style and price of garden furniture.

(5) Focus on quality

Even the same material can vary significantly between brands and craftsmanship. Check the frame structure (such as aluminum thickness and connection method), weave density, filling density, and fabric specifications,etc.

Conclusion

Creating your dream outdoor living space starts with choosing the right foundation – your garden furniture materials. From the plush comfort of upholstered fabric and supportive cushions to the weather-resistant prowess of PE rattan, Textilene, PL woven rope, and twisted PE rope, and the lightweight strength of aluminium, each material offers distinct advantages.

Define your priorities – is low maintenance and weather resistance paramount, or is luxurious fabric comfort your top desire? By carefully considering your environment, usage, style, and budget alongside the strengths of these 8 amazing material options, you can invest in garden furniture that transforms your patio or garden into a beautiful, durable, and truly enjoyable retreat for years to come. Choose wisely and embrace the outdoors in comfort and style.