Aluminium or teak garden furniture: what is the best choice?

When buying garden furniture, you come across two materials again and again: aluminium and teak wood. Both are popular, both are durable — but they differ greatly in appearance, weight, maintenance and price. In this article we compare them fairly, so you can make the right choice for your garden and lifestyle.

Aluminium garden furniture: advantages and disadvantages

Aluminium is the most commonly used material for garden furniture — and for good reason. Check out our range of aluminium garden furniture.

Advantages

• Rust-proof — Aluminium does not oxidise and can stand outside all year round without damage
• Lightweight — Easy to move and store
• Maintenance-free — No treatment needed, occasional cleaning is enough. Read how in maintaining aluminium garden furniture
• Colour-fast — Powder coating guarantees a durable colour, even in direct sunlight
• Wide range — Available in virtually every style, colour and price range

Disadvantages

• Less warm in appearance — Aluminium has a sleeker, more industrial look than wood
• Can get hot — Dark aluminium furniture in direct sunlight can feel warm
• Less heavy — In strong winds, lightweight aluminium chairs can blow over

Teak garden furniture: advantages and disadvantages

Teak wood is the classic material for outdoor furniture — beloved for centuries for its durability and appearance. Check out our range of teak garden furniture. Want to know more about this material? Read our article what is teak wood.

Advantages

• Warm, natural appearance — Teak wood has a timeless, luxurious look that suits any garden style
• Extremely durable — Teak naturally contains oils that protect the wood against moisture, mould and insects
• Heavy and stable — Teak furniture stands solidly and does not blow over easily
• Gets more beautiful over the years — Untreated teak weathers to a beautiful silver-grey patina

Disadvantages

• Heavy weight — Harder to move than aluminium
• Maintenance — If you want to retain the warm brown colour, you need to apply teak oil annually. Read how in maintaining teak garden furniture
• Higher price — Quality teak is more expensive than aluminium

Aluminium vs teak: direct comparison

Which material suits you?

Choose aluminium if you:

• Want little maintenance
• Leave furniture outside all year round
• Like a modern, sleek look
• Want to spend your budget on other things

Choose teak wood if you:

• Like a warm, classic, luxurious appearance
• Are prepared to do some maintenance for the best result
• Are looking for furniture that lasts generations
• Value stability and weight

Curious about which garden furniture is most durable? Read which garden furniture is most sustainable. Do you already know which material you want, but are you still unsure about the type of furniture? Read lounge set or garden set: what suits you.

Conclusion

Aluminium wins on convenience and ease of maintenance. Teak wood wins on warmth, appearance and atmosphere. Both will last for decades with proper care. Check out our range of aluminium garden furniture, teak garden furniture, garden sets and lounge sets or visit our showroom for personal advice via telephone, email or WhatsApp.