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 copes with 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 involves, and how to keep your furniture looking good for as long as possible. There are examples from our range and a short test.
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 outdoors. If you want a wood look without oiling, choose Vironwood, teak-look or Centostone. Real wood can live outside, but it needs maintenance. Cushions belong indoors in bad weather, because water-resistant is not waterproof. Not sure? Take the test.
What does weather-resistant actually mean?
A weather-resistant garden piece doesn't fall apart because of the weather. That sounds simple, but the weather attacks in three ways, and every 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, causes wood to move, and gives mould a chance in cushions and natural fibres.
- Frost: water trapped in crevices or cracks expands when it freezes. That's how small cracks become bigger ones. Plastic also becomes stiffer in the cold.
There are two things weather-resistant does not mean. It is not the same as waterproof: a cushion cover may be water-repellent and still get soaked after days of rain. And it is not the same as maintenance-free: leaves, pollen, bird droppings and algae still settle on even the best material. A weather-resistant piece can safely stay outside, but a quick wash and a cover will keep it looking good.
If you're specifically looking for furniture for wet days, also read which garden furniture is rain-resistant.
What does All Weather mean?
In the product information for a number of Garden Impressions pieces you'll find "All Weather: Yes". You'll see it on the Tennessee 3-seater sofa, the Scotland garden table and the Lowland garden table Ø150 cm, among others. For the last one, the wording is literally: resistant to rain, sun and frost. So the label means the piece is designed to stay outside all year round.
But do read beyond the label. For the same products, the product information recommends storing the piece dry during prolonged bad weather or in winter, preferably under a protective cover. That's not a contradiction: All Weather says something about the material, not about dirt, algae and wet cushions. Treat the label as a good sign, and a cover as your insurance.
Sun, rain and frost by material
This overview shows how each material reacts to the weather. It covers general material properties; the exact quality varies by 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 needed |
| Centostone | Good | Doesn't absorb moisture |
| Teak | Greys over | Good, thanks to its natural oil |
| Acacia | Dries out, greys over | Holds up, needs oil |
| Plastic (PP) | Can fade | Good |
| Steel | Gets hot | Rusts if 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 find what to look out for with each material, with examples from our range. Current prices are shown on the cards.
Aluminium and Textilene
Aluminium is the most popular choice for garden furniture that stays outside, and it's easy to see why. 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 the colour. Scratches can still appear, so don't drag pieces across the patio. The only real drawback: a dark frame gets hot in full sun. You can also read can an aluminium garden set rust?
The sofa and table of the Prinos lounge set are made entirely of powder-coated aluminium, with integrated trays on both sides of the sofa. The cushions have a water-repellent polyester cover.
Prinos aluminium 4-piece lounge set
Textilene is a sturdy, open-weave 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 stays outside all the time. The Osaka combines an aluminium frame with Textilene and an adjustable backrest.
Osaka adjustable garden chair carbon black / mid grey
You'll find more models in our aluminium lounge sets and aluminium garden chairs. For a rundown of the pros and cons, read aluminium lounge set: pros and cons.
Synthetic wicker and rope
Synthetic wicker is weaving made from plastic strands, usually wrapped around 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 caught in the weave, so brush it out now and then. The Tennessee 3-seater sofa is labelled All Weather in the product information, with an aluminium frame and half-round wicker.
Tennessee 3-seater sofa vintage willow / anthracite
Rope is synthetic cord 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 for 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
If you're torn between the two, read rope or wicker. Be aware of the difference with natural rattan: that doesn't belong outside. More on this in the difference between wicker and rattan.
Vironwood, teak-look and Centostone
Do you love the warmth of wood but not the 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-like appearance. Teak-look means aluminium with a finish that resembles wood. With both, you don't need to oil anything. 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 the tables are listed 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 what makes it move.
- Teak contains natural oils and therefore copes well with moisture. If you leave it alone, it greys over to a silvery-grey 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 hardwood with a warm colour. In the sun it dries out, and fine hairline cracks can develop. Oiling it now and then keeps the wood supple. Frost makes existing cracks bigger 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-hand
To find out which type of wood suits you, read popular wood types for garden furniture. For how to treat wood, see treating wooden garden furniture. If you're torn between wood and metal, read aluminium or teak.
Plastic, steel and stainless steel
- Plastic is lightweight, needs no cushions and cleans up with a bit of soapy water. Cheap plastic can fade or become brittle in strong sun, and it gets stiffer in the cold. So choose a sturdy chair. The Ceasar is a plastic (PP) armchair with a maximum load of 100 kg.
- Steel is strong and heavy, so it stays put well in the wind. It does need a protective layer, such as a powder coating or galvanising. If that layer gets damaged, the steel can start to rust. So touch up scratches promptly.
- 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
For maintenance tips, read cleaning and maintaining plastic garden furniture, maintaining stainless steel garden furniture and removing rust from garden furniture.
Cushions and fabric
The frame may well be weather-resistant, but the cushions almost never are. Most cushion covers are polyester with a water-repellent coating. A rain shower runs straight off, but after days of rain the moisture still soaks into the foam. A wet cushion barely dries in the colder months, and that's when mould and nasty smells get their chance. Sunlight also takes its toll: if you leave cushions in full sun all summer, you'll see the colour slowly fade.
Some cushions have a filling of quick dry foam. Water passes through it faster, so they dry sooner after a shower. Those still need to be stored away for winter. More on this in quick dry foam: properties and garden cushions faded 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; the cushions on it can't. Know that difference and you'll rarely buy the wrong thing.
Test: which material suits your spot?
Answer four short questions about your garden and how you look after 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 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
- It gets a cover over it
- It goes into the shed, dry
What atmosphere are you after for 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's allowed to change
How many jobs a year are you willing to do for beautiful furniture?
- As few as possible, a bit of soapy water is enough
- Brushing out now and then and storing the cushions
- Soapy water, 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 bit of soapy water. 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. Just 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. Oil the wood and keep it sheltered in winter or under a breathable cover.
Want to choose not just the material, but also the type of furniture and the size? Then use our selection tool.
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 by 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
Weather-resistant furniture will survive 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 water pooling 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 all you need. Abrasive 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's wet when it goes under the cover won't dry out all winter. Pick a dry day in autumn. The full step-by-step 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 spot 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 need no 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 on winter
Tick these points off before you order:
- I've checked the materials of the frame, seat and tabletop separately
- I know whether the furniture will stay outside over winter
- I know how much sun, rain and wind my terrace gets
- I have a dry place 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 soapy water 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 go mouldy and becomes brittle. For outdoor use, choose synthetic wicker. Also read restoring weathered rattan furniture.
Treating teak-look like teak
"Light teak look" is usually aluminium with a wood-effect finish. Teak oil is meant for real wood and can leave a greasy layer. Soapy water is enough.
Leaving cushions outside
Water-repellent is not waterproof. Cushions that sit outside for weeks, even under a cover, become damp and go mouldy.
Covering with plastic sheeting
Plastic doesn't let moisture through. Condensation forms underneath, with a risk of mould and stains. Use a breathable cover instead.
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 promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Which garden furniture material is the most weatherproof?
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 Textilene, plastic wicker, rope, Vironwood or a Centostone tabletop, and the whole piece stays weatherproof. Only the cushions belong indoors, dry, in bad weather.
What does All Weather mean for garden furniture?
With a number of Garden Impressions pieces, the product information states "All Weather: Yes". The furniture is then designed to stand outside in rain, sun and cold. For the Lowland garden table, it literally says: resistant to rain, sun and frost. Even so, the same product information advises covering the furniture or storing it dry during prolonged bad weather.
Is weatherproof the same as maintenance-free?
No. Weatherproof 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 weatherproof piece needs cleaning now and then. 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 damp cushion can go mouldy. Store cushions dry during bad weather and in winter, for example in a cushion box or cushion bag.
Is wooden garden furniture weatherproof?
Teak naturally contains oil, so it 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 stand outside, but it requires 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 outside. Natural rattan should therefore not stand outside through winter. Plastic wicker on an aluminium frame can, preferably under a cover.
