When you’re choosing your outdoor furniture, you need to consider the material it’s made from because it affects how it handles rain and sun, how comfortable it feels to use, and how much maintenance it’ll need.

Acacia wood

Acacia is a hardwood often used for outdoor furniture because it’s durable and reasonably resistant to weather. To keep it in good condition, you’ll usually need to oil the surface occasionally or it will fade and dry out over time. Here, you can find out more about how to look after acacia furniture.

Powder-coated steel

Powder-coated steel is widely used for modern garden furniture frames as the coating protects the metal from moisture and helps prevent rust. Steel furniture is sturdy, which makes it suitable for outdoor dining sets, but it’s heavier than many alternatives, so it’s harder to move around.

Wrought iron

Wrought iron furniture is often chosen for traditional patios and gardens. It’s strong, decorative and designed to last for many years. Because it’s metal, it can warm up in direct sunlight. Cushions covered with durable fabric for outdoor furniture are commonly used to improve comfort. These fabrics are designed to handle sunlight and moisture without fading quickly. If you’re comparing materials and performance, you can see examples on websites such as https://extex.co.uk/.

Polypropylene and moulded plastic

Modern plastic furniture made from polypropylene is lightweight, moisture-resistant and simple to clean. It’s often used for stackable chairs and tables. The designs are often simpler than wood or metal furniture, but the material is low maintenance and very easy to look after.