I’m not a fan of plastic patio furniture. Well, let me rephrase that. I’m not a fan of cheap plastic furniture. Sure it’s inexpensive and easy to load into your car from the big box store and set up on your patio. However, as you might have discovered, the furniture doesn’t last long. It gets dirty and dingy quickly. It dries out, cracks, and generally falls apart after a season or two of use.
Does that mean all “plastic” furniture is horrible?
No. Actually, there are a few high quality resin products that offer some pretty incredible benefits.
Traditional resin rattan furniture is made from PVC. The furniture has the lovely appeal of natural rattan but unfortunately it lacks the durability. If you’re using the furniture outside, durability is important.
Durability means:
It is resistant to fading
It doesn’t mold
It’s flexible and can support guests of all shapes and sizes without bending or stretching
It’s strong and lasts for years of wear and tear
It won’t absorb water and crack
HDPE or High Density Polyethylene Resin Rattan is a woven synthetic material that repels water, mold, and is also UV resistant. The resin is extremely flexible, strong and durable, non toxic and recyclable.
It’s a superior choice for patio furniture!
Cleaning and Maintenance
My neighbors have PVC rattan furniture. Every summer I see them out there with buckets of bleach and scrub brushes trying to make it look new again. It never works.
Cleaning and maintaining HDPE rattan is actually really simple. Most of the time it needs nothing more than a quick hose off. Sometimes, if the weather has been particularly dry and dusty, a bit of soap and water is necessary but that is really all it takes to keep it in good shape. Instead of spending time cleaning patio furniture, spend time using it. Additionally, if your furniture gets marred or scratched, you can usually fix it with a little attention and a hair dryer.
What to Look For
If you like the look of natural rattan and you want to enjoy that look on your patio, consider buying resin rattan or polyethylene outdoor wicker furniture. When you’re searching for the right products for your budget and personal preferences look for a few key features:
HDPE stands for High density polyethylene, It’s environmentally safer to produce than PVC. It’s recyclable, and it’s much more durable.
Aluminum Frames – Molded aluminum frames are very sturdy and durable to keep from rusting. If the furniture you’re looking at has exposed metal framework, make sure that the aluminum is finished with a tough powder coating to resist the elements. Aluminum frames are also lightweight which means you don’t need a moving crew to re position your patio furniture. You can simply pick up the table and move it yourself.
HDPE rattan has the natural look that people love. It’s durable, easy to care for, and lasts for years. No, it’s not your typical plastic furniture. It’s beautiful, durable, and embraces advanced technology to create superior sunroom and outdoor patio furniture.