Shop Outdoor Wicker Patio Furniture & Accessories

When you begin shopping for wicker patio furniture and accessories, you may be surprised at the various terms used to describe the furniture. Buying wicker patio furniture is not a complicated adventure, but being an informed buyer will help you make the best choices. A little pre-planning and an assessment of your specific outdoor situation can simplify the decision making process.

The term resin wicker will frequently appear in the product description or on the manufacturers’ label of many outdoor wicker furniture pieces or all weather wicker furniture. Resin wicker looks very similar to indoor wicker. However, it has numerous advantages over wooden outdoor furniture. Water will not soak through resin as it will wood. Therefore, resin wicker will not rot. Resin is a man-made synthetic plastic that is resistant to UV rays and outdoor weather related elements. When shopping for resin wicker furniture, look for polyethylene fiber. Polyethylene is environmentally friendly. It is easy to clean as well, sun and weather resistant, and looks very natural.

You will also notice that outdoor furniture is often described as having a steel frame, aluminum frame, or a powder coated frame. Steel frames will rust and are not a good choice if you live in a coastal area. Aluminum frames are light weight and resistant to rust. Powder coating is a process where colorful polyester powders are applied to the furniture frame. If you prefer a steel frame over an aluminum frame, the powder coating process will reduce the risk of rust.

Not only will you discover that outdoor furniture is made from various types of materials, you will notice that there are a variety of industry terms for wicker patio furniture. Once again, you can make the wisest choice for your specific situation and location by understanding the differences in terminology.

Synthetic outdoor wicker furniture or all weather wicker is made from synthetic plastics, not from natural wicker. The natural wicker furniture that is designed for use inside of the home or sunroom and isn’t durable enough for outdoor use. It simply cannot withstand exposure to the ever-changing outdoor weather conditions. However, mainly baskets outdoor wicker is attractive enough to be used in the interior of your home if you choose to do so. When buying outdoor wicker furniture and furnishings for an outdoor space, you want to choose furniture that is designed with a resin or polyethylene fiber wrapped around a powder coated aluminum frame for maximum durability. Sometimes, this type of furniture is referred to as plastic wicker, resin wicker, or outdoor wicker.

Obviously, one of your main concerns when buying furniture for a deck, patio, poolside, or garden area is its ability to withstand outdoor conditions. You should read labels and product descriptions carefully. You want to buy all weather wicker patio furniture for any uncovered area. The furniture will need to be fade resistant as well as mold, mildew, and fungus resistant. Depending on your specific location and where you plan to place the furniture, you may also want to be sure it is salt and chlorine resistant. It is important that your outdoor furniture be easy to clean. Resin wicker can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. You can also hose the furniture off if necessary.

Many pieces of outdoor furniture are available with cushions. You want to be sure the cushions are just as durable and weather resistant as the furniture. However, most cushions in the industry are only water resistant and shouldn’t be left out in all weather conditions. To protect the life of your cushions, it is always advisable to store your cushions in dry storage area when not in use over long periods of time, or during winter months or during severe weather conditions that could possibly damage them and destroy the water repellant qualities.