You want garden furniture that still looks as good after a few summers as it did the day you bought it. But a Dutch garden takes a beating: fierce sun in July, days of rain in autumn and frost in winter. Not every material handles that equally well. One rusts, another fades or dries out, and yet another cracks when water freezes. In this guide you'll learn what weather-resistant really means, how each material reacts to sun, rain and frost, what the All Weather label means, and how to keep your furniture looking good for as long as possible. With examples from our range and a short quiz.
In short: powder-coated aluminium is the most carefree option: it doesn't rust and can handle rain and frost. Synthetic wicker and rope on aluminium can also stay outside. If you want a wood look without oil, choose Vironwood, teak look or Centostone. Real wood can stay outside, but it needs maintenance. Cushions belong indoors in bad weather, because water-repellent is not waterproof. Not sure? Take the test.
What does weather-resistant really mean?
Weather-resistant garden furniture doesn't fall apart because of the weather. That sounds simple, but the weather attacks in three ways, and each material has its own weak spot:
- Sun: UV light fades colours and can make cheap plastic brittle. Wood dries out and develops hairline cracks, and dark metal gets hot in full sun.
- Rain: moisture makes unprotected steel rust, makes wood swell and shrink, and gives mould a chance in cushions and natural fibres.
- Frost: water trapped in small gaps or cracks expands when it freezes. That turns small cracks into larger ones. Plastic also becomes stiffer in the cold.
Weather-resistant does not mean two things. It isn't the same as waterproof: a cushion cover can be water-repellent and still get soaked after days of rain. And it isn't the same as maintenance-free: leaves, pollen, bird droppings and algae stay on even the best material. You can leave a weather-resistant piece of furniture outside with peace of mind, but a quick wash and a cover will keep it looking good.
Looking specifically for furniture for wet days? Also read which garden furniture is rain-resistant.
What does All Weather mean?
The product information for a number of Garden Impressions pieces states "All Weather: Yes". You'll see it on, among others, the Tennessee 3-seater sofa, the Scotland garden table and the Lowland garden table Ø150 cm. For the last one, the text literally says: resistant to rain, sun and frost. So the label means the piece is made to stay outside all year round.
But read beyond the label. For the same products, the product information recommends storing the piece dry during prolonged bad weather or in winter, preferably with a protective cover. That isn't a contradiction: All Weather says something about the material, not about dirt, algae and wet cushions. Treat the label as a good sign, and the cover as the insurance policy.
Sun, rain and frost per material
This overview shows how each material reacts to the weather. These are general material properties; the exact quality varies per product.
| Material | Sun | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Good, gets hot | Doesn't rust |
| Textilene | Good | Dries quickly |
| Synthetic wicker | Good | Good |
| Rope | Good | Dries more slowly |
| Vironwood and teak look | Good | Good, no oil |
| Centostone | Good | Doesn't absorb moisture |
| Teak | Greys | Good, thanks to its natural oil |
| Acacia | Dries out, greys | Holds up, needs oil |
| Plastic (PP) | Can fade | Good |
| Steel | Gets hot | Rusts when damaged |
| Natural rattan | Dries out | Poor |
| Material | Frost | Outside in winter? |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | No problem | Yes, preferably with a cover |
| Wicker, rope, textilene | Good | Yes, under a cover |
| Vironwood, Centostone | Good | Yes, preferably with a cover |
| Teak and acacia | Cracks can grow | Possible, with a cover and oil |
| Plastic (PP) | Becomes stiffer | Preferably indoors |
| Steel | Good as long as the coating is intact | Yes, touch up any damage |
| Natural rattan | Poor | No |
| Cushions | Poor when wet | No, store dry |
Below, you'll read what to watch for with each material, with examples from our range. Current prices are shown on the cards.
Aluminium and textilene
Aluminium is the most popular material for garden furniture that stays outside, and for good reason. It doesn't rust, is light enough to move with one hand, and can handle rain and frost. It almost always has a powder coating: a baked-on layer of paint that gives it its colour. Scratches can still occur, so don't drag pieces over the paving. The only real disadvantage: a dark frame gets hot in full sun. Also read can an aluminium garden set rust?
The bench and table of the Prinos lounge set are made entirely of powder-coated aluminium, with integrated trays on both sides of the bench. The cushions have a water-repellent polyester cover.
Prinos aluminium 4-piece lounge set
Textilene is a sturdy, open-woven fabric made of coated polyester yarn that is stretched tightly over a frame. Water runs straight through it, so after a shower you're dry again quickly, without a cushion. That makes a chair with textilene ideal if it always stays outside. The Osaka combines an aluminium frame with textilene and an adjustable backrest.
Osaka adjustable garden chair carbon black / mid grey
More models can be found in the aluminium lounge sets and aluminium garden chairs. You can read the pros and cons in one place in aluminium lounge set: pros and cons.
Synthetic wicker and rope
Synthetic wicker is woven plastic strand, usually over an aluminium frame. It looks like rattan, but it can handle rain and sun because it isn't a natural material. Dirt does tend to get trapped in the weave, so brush it out now and then. The Tennessee 3-seater sofa carries the All Weather label in its product information, with an aluminium frame and half-round wicker.
Tennessee 3-seater sofa vintage willow / anthracite
Rope is synthetic cord that is woven or stretched around a frame. It feels soft and can handle rain, but because it's a textile, moisture and dirt stay in the fibres longer. Let rope dry thoroughly after a wet spell. The Teramon has an aluminium frame with Qualicord rope, which according to the product information is strong and colourfast.
Teramon corner lounge set 4-piece
Torn between the two? Then read rope or wicker. Keep in mind the difference from natural rattan: that doesn't belong outside. More about that in the difference between wicker and rattan.
Vironwood, teak look and Centostone
Do you love the warmth of wood, but not sanding and oiling? Then these are the materials to look at. Vironwood is, according to the product information, a low-maintenance plastic with a warm wood appearance. With teak look, aluminium gets a finish that resembles wood. In both cases you don't need to oil it. The Jondal park bench combines an aluminium frame with light teak Vironwood and, at 12.7 kg, is light enough to move around easily.
Jondal park bench light teak Vironwood
Centostone is a hard tabletop material that Garden Impressions compares to ceramic. According to the product information, it doesn't absorb moisture and is resistant to scratches, heat and stains. The Lowland garden table has a Centostone top in a wood look on an aluminium frame, and the product information lists it as resistant to rain, sun and frost.
Lowland round garden table Ø150 cm light teak look
You can read more about these materials in what is Vironwood? and what is a Centostone garden table? All tables are available under Centostone garden tables.
Wood: teak and acacia
Wood is the classic material for outdoor use, but it's a natural product: it absorbs moisture and releases it again, and that's exactly why it works.
- Teak naturally contains oil, which helps it cope with moisture. If you leave it alone, it greys to a silvery colour. That isn't rot, just a layer on the surface. If you want to keep the honey colour, treat it with teak oil.
- Acacia is a hard, dense wood species with a warm colour. In the sun it dries out, and tiny hairline cracks can appear. Occasional oiling keeps the wood supple. Frost makes existing cracks larger when water gets into them.
The Santos lounge dining set is made of FSC-certified acacia wood with a white wash finish and taupe rope. The product information recommends treating the wood regularly with a suitable wood oil. A lovely set, then, for anyone who doesn't mind maintenance.
Santos lounge dining set 5-piece left
To find out which wood species suits you, read popular wood species for garden furniture. For how to treat wood, see treating wooden garden furniture. Torn between wood and metal? Then read aluminium or teak.
Plastic, steel and stainless steel
- Plastic is light, doesn't need cushions and is easy to clean with a bit of soapy water. Cheap plastic can fade or become brittle in harsh sun, and in the cold it becomes stiffer. So choose a sturdy chair. The Ceasar is a PP plastic armchair with a maximum load of 100 kg.
- Steel is strong and heavy, so it stays put well in wind. It does need a protective layer, such as powder coating or a galvanised layer. If that gets damaged, the steel can start to rust. So touch up scratches in time.
- Stainless steel doesn't rust through and suits a sleek garden. It is heavy, though, gets hot in the sun and shows limescale marks. In salty coastal air, small rust spots can appear on the surface, which you can remove with a stainless steel cleaner.
Ceasar plastic chair anthracite
You'll find maintenance tips in cleaning and maintaining plastic garden furniture, maintaining stainless steel garden furniture and removing rust from garden furniture.
Cushions and fabric
The frame may be weather-resistant, but the cushions almost never are. Most cushion covers are polyester with a water-repellent coating. A shower of rain runs off, but after days of rain the moisture soaks into the foam anyway. A wet cushion barely dries in the cold months, and that gives mould and nasty smells a chance. The sun plays a role too: if you leave cushions in full sun all summer, you'll see the colour gradually fade.
Some cushions have a filling of quick dry foam. Water passes through it more quickly, so they dry faster after a shower. Apple Bee calls its quick-drying cushions BEE WETT; you can read how the brand says it works in what is BEE WETT? Even quick-drying cushions should be stored away in winter. More about this in quick dry foam: properties and garden cushions discoloured by the sun.
When looking at garden furniture, always consider three things separately: the frame, the seat and the cushions. An aluminium frame with wicker can stay outside all winter, but the cushions on it can't. Once you know that difference, you rarely buy the wrong thing.
Test: which material suits your spot?
Answer four short questions about your garden and how you treat your furniture. You'll get advice straight away.
Which weather-resistant material suits your outdoor spot?
How exposed is the spot where your furniture will stand?
- Right in the sun and the rain, with no shelter at all
- On an open terrace, but with a place for the cushions
- Partly sheltered, for example against the house wall
- Under a canopy or veranda
What happens to your garden furniture when it freezes?
- It just stays outside
- The frame stays outside, the cushions go indoors
- A cover goes over it
- It goes into the shed to dry
What kind of atmosphere are you looking for in your outdoor space?
- Sleek, modern and calm
- Soft and cosy, like a living room outside
- Warm, with the look of wood
- Natural, with real wood that is allowed to change
How many chores per year are you willing to take on for beautiful furniture?
- As few as possible, a quick wash is enough
- Brushing out now and then and storing the cushions
- A wash, but definitely no oil
- Applying oil is a job I don't mind
Aluminium, with textilene or Centostone The most carefree option: it doesn't rust, can handle rain and frost and only needs a wash. Choose textilene for chairs that always stay outside, such as the Osaka.
Synthetic wicker or rope on aluminium Soft and cosy, and the frame can stay outside. Do store the cushions dry and brush the weave out now and then, as with the Tennessee.
Vironwood or teak look on aluminium The warm look of wood, without sanding or oiling. A good example is the Jondal park bench.
Real wood, such as teak or acacia The most natural option, provided you take on the maintenance. Give the wood oil and store it sheltered in winter or under a breathable cover.
Want to choose not only the material, but also the type of furniture and the size? Then use our selection guide.
Which material for which garden?
Every garden has its own weather. A terrace facing south gets more sun, and a garden by the sea gets more wind and salt. Here's how to choose for each situation:
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Terrace in full sun | Light aluminium, textilene | Gets less hot |
| Open garden, lots of rain | Aluminium, synthetic wicker | Doesn't rust or rot |
| Windy spot | Heavy table, wood or steel | Stays firmly in place |
| Garden by the coast | Aluminium, plastic | Rinse off salt now and then |
| Under a canopy | Anything, including wood and rope | Less rain and sun |
| No room in the shed | All Weather with a cover | Can overwinter outside |
Scotland table, All Weather
View table →Aluminium garden benches
View range →Rope lounge sets
View range →Looking for a complete set that can stay outside? Read which garden set can stay outside and can a lounge set stay outside in winter?
How to keep weather-resistant furniture looking good
A weather-resistant piece of furniture survives the weather, but with a little help it will still look good after years.
Use a breathable cover
A cover keeps out leaves, bird droppings and algae. Choose a breathable cover, for example one with a ventilation opening, so moisture can escape. Plastic sheeting traps condensation. Read covering garden furniture.
Prevent puddles on the cover
A cover is never completely waterproof. A cover support on the table creates a peak, so the water runs off.
Clean without abrasives
A mild soapy solution and a soft cloth are enough. Scouring pads damage the powder coating on aluminium and the coating on textilene. More in maintaining aluminium garden furniture.
Only cover when dry
Anything that goes under the cover wet won't dry all winter. Choose a dry day in autumn. The full step-by-step plan is in getting garden furniture ready for winter.
A few examples from our range. Always check the dimensions of your own furniture.
AeroCover corner set 270 x 270
View cover →
Coverit cover 255 x 255
View cover →
Coverit cover support
View support →For the cushions:
Coverit cushion bag 200 x 75
View bag →
Primo cushion box 680 litres
View box →All storage boxes
View range →You'll find all sizes and shapes under protective covers. Tips for the cushions are in storing garden cushions.
Checklist for your purchase
How to recognise weather-resistant garden furniture
- Frame: aluminium doesn't rust, steel needs an intact protective layer
- Seat: textilene, synthetic wicker and rope can handle rain, natural rattan can't
- Tabletop: Centostone and Vironwood don't need oil, wood does
- Cushions: water-repellent is not waterproof, so plan for dry storage
- Label: All Weather is a good sign, but also read the advice about winter
Tick these points off before you order:
- I have checked the materials of the frame, seat and tabletop separately
- I know whether the furniture will stay outside in winter
- I know how much sun, rain and wind my terrace gets
- I have a dry spot or a cushion box for the cushions
- I have a suitable, breathable protective cover in mind
- For wood: I have the time to oil it now and then
- I know the difference between synthetic wicker and natural rattan
Common mistakes
Thinking weather-resistant means maintenance-free
Aluminium and wicker get dirty too. Without a wash and a cover, algae and bird droppings leave stains. Weather-resistant only means the material won't fall apart.
Leaving natural rattan outside
Rattan is a plant-based material. Outside it absorbs moisture, can grow mould and becomes brittle. For outdoor use, choose synthetic wicker. Also read restoring weathered rattan furniture.
Treating teak look like real teak
"Light teak look" is usually aluminium with a wood finish. Teak oil is meant for real wood and can leave a greasy layer. A wash is enough.
Leaving cushions outside
Water-repellent is not waterproof. Cushions that lie outside for weeks, even under a cover, become damp and grow mould.
Covering with plastic sheeting
Plastic sheeting doesn't let moisture through. Condensation forms underneath, with a risk of mould and stains. Use a breathable cover.
Leaving scratches in coated steel
On aluminium, a scratch is mostly cosmetic. On steel, the metal is exposed and can start to rust. Touch up damage in time.
Frequently asked questions
Which garden furniture material is the most weather-resistant?
Powder-coated aluminium is the safest choice for most gardens: it doesn't rust, can handle rain and frost, and needs little maintenance. Combine it with textileen, plastic wicker, rope, Vironwood or a Centostone table top, and the whole piece stays weather-resistant. Only the cushions belong indoors in bad weather.
What does All Weather mean for garden furniture?
For a number of Garden Impressions pieces, the product information states "All Weather: Yes". This means the furniture is made to stay outdoors in rain, sun and cold. The Lowland garden table literally says it is resistant to rain, sun and frost. Even so, the same product information recommends covering the furniture or storing it dry during prolonged bad weather.
Is weather-resistant the same as maintenance-free?
No. Weather-resistant means the material won't be damaged by rain, sun or frost. Dirt, leaves, bird droppings and algae still settle on it. So even a weather-resistant piece needs cleaning now and then, and with a breathable cover in winter you'll have less work in spring.
Can garden cushions stay outside?
Better not. Most cushion covers are made of polyester with a water-repellent coating. A shower runs off, but after days of rain moisture soaks into the foam, and a wet cushion can go mouldy. Store cushions dry in bad weather and in winter, for example in a cushion box or cushion bag.
Is wooden garden furniture weather-resistant?
Teak naturally contains oil and therefore copes well with moisture. Left untreated, it weathers to a silvery grey colour, which is not rot. Acacia is also suitable for outdoor use, but it dries out in the sun and needs oil now and then to stay supple. Wood can stay outdoors, but it needs more attention than aluminium or plastic.
Is wicker the same as rattan?
No. Plastic wicker is a woven strand designed to withstand rain and sun outdoors. Natural rattan is a plant-based material that absorbs moisture and can go mouldy or split outdoors. Natural rattan therefore shouldn't stay outside over winter; plastic wicker on an aluminium frame can, preferably under a cover.
