Which Type of Wicker Furniture Is Best For Outdoor Use?
ShareWicker is beautiful, elegant, and enduringly popular as a choice for outdoor tables, chairs, loungers and other furniture pieces. If wicker is exactly the look that you want for your outdoor living area, you may be wondering whether to go with natural wicker or resin wicker furniture. Here's what you need to know to choose the right type of wicker for your long-term enjoyment.
Natural Wicker Furniture
Natural wicker was the original type of wicker. It's made from 100% natural fibres—usually rattan, bamboo or a mixture of the two. Whilst quite sturdy, natural wicker isn't designed for use outdoors. Sunlight and moisture will eventually cause serious damage, which can include shrinking, swelling, rotting, fraying, or breakage. Natural wicker is also highly susceptible to insect damage when left outdoors.
Although you can add a polyurethane lacquer to natural wicker to help protect it, that lacquer doesn't lend enough protection to leave natural wicker furniture outdoors for any prolonged period of time. If you're planning to use wicker pieces as your permanent outdoor furniture, resin wicker is likely a much better choice.
Resin Wicker Furniture
Resin wicker furniture, whilst very natural looking, is actually made entirely from synthetic materials like polyurethane. The resin wicker is usually mounted on a sturdy aluminium frame, which won't be obvious—the resin wicker is the only thing you'll see, and the frame is simply hidden inside to add sufficient weight to keep it in place.
Resin wicker is ideally suited for use outdoors, as it can resist all types of elemental damage. Some types of resin wicker are even specially made to repel sun damage, something that's particularly helpful for the hot Australians summers.
Another reason that resin wicker is perfectly suited for outdoor use is that it's extremely easy to care for. In fact, all that's needed is a quick wipe with a damp cloth—or even a quick rinse-off using the garden hose!
Your Choice: Natural or Resin?
When you are planning to use wicker furniture outdoors, there is really no contest: resin is the clear winner. In addition to being far more resistant to the elements, it also happens to be quite a bit less expensive. You may also be surprised at just how convincingly that resin pieces can replicate the natural fibre ones. Now, you can use the information above to help you choose the perfect type of wicker outdoor furniture for your home!