When you buy a rattan garden furniture set, you want a set that you’re going to enjoy for years to come, but with so many retailers and sets to choose from we understand picking your set is easier said than done, with this in mind we’ve thought up a few pointers for you to make things a little easier!
What is the best rattan material?
You may or may not be aware that rattan weaves come in a variety of styles, weaves and materials that drastically vary in quality. To give you an idea of what to look out for we’ll run through them for you.
What is the difference between rattan and PE rattan?
PE is a synthetic Polyethylene resin that as opposed to a natural wicker rattan. Unlike natural rattan PE rattan is far more durable and as a result requires less maintenance, it is also capable of handling much more unfriendly weather with minimal wear and tear.
When choosing a natural wicker rattan, you will need to keep your furniture inside and likely treat it to maximise its longevity with PE rattan maintenance primarily consists of cleaning making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture.
Weaves
Flat weave
Flat weave rattan is perhaps one of the most popular choices and one of the cheapest. Flat weaves are the lightest making your furniture much easier to move around and easier to clean. If this weave is covering a good quality frame (something that will be covered later in this guide) it will require very little to no maintenance!
Curved Weave
Another weave that you can choose is the half round choice. This weave is popular for giving outdoor furniture a more luxurious and traditional appearance. This weave will need more cleaning than a flat weave as dirt can get in the gaps however its looser and more flexible style makes it less brittle making it an excellent choice for a longer lifespan.
Frames
Steel
steel will save you money but has a far shorter lifespan as it will usually begin to rust within a year or two leading to all sorts of problems aesthetically and practically.
Aluminium
Aluminium frames on the other hand although more expensive will last far longer and are lighter as a bonus. Powder-coated aluminium frames can be left out all year long facing damp and cold conditions without suffering from any rust, making them a great choice in the long run.
Flat packed vs pre-assembled
As it’s a much cheaper option flat packed outdoor furniture can be a much more tempting choice, after-all once it’s built it built. However, it doesn’t end here, flat packed outdoor furniture is often susceptible to a whole host of problems that can worsen over time. This included things such as rust on the fixtures and fittings, bolts that will wear down over time and become loose causing all kinds of structural mayhem.
Pre-assembled although more expensive at the point of import and delivery is generally far more secure with welded frames as opposed to ones relying on fixtures. This makes them far more durable and less prone to having areas that can become weaker over time.
