Synthetic rattan garden furniture is a modern twist and development of the traditional furniture. This furniture goes under a multitude of names that all mean the same thing. Look out for furniture variously described as all weather, poly, pvc or plastic rattan. Wicker furniture described in the same way is essentially the same furniture. This furniture is constructed using metal and man made materials. There are no organic natural materials used in the construction of this stuff.
Why Synthetic?
Natural organic materials, although durable, can be prone to the effects of climatic conditions. Natural woven wicker furniture, can, over time, in damp or moist conditions develop molds which slowly disfigure the rattan by leaving black spots and blemishes on surfaces. Natural rattan can also be damaged by UV light if left out in the sun. The damage is limited to inconsistent fading of materials which is not overly significant, but is damage non the less. As a result natural wicker rattan garden furniture is best used in dry environments, and may require storage space and covers if you live in a wet climate.
Synthetic rattan or wicker has been developed to specifically overcome these problems and to produce cost savings to the consumer.
What Materials Are Used?
Essentially the rattan is substituted by PVC, plastic or other synthetic oil based man made materials. As these materials are man made fibres they can be made to any size and length or even colour and can be woven to produce a wicker effect contemporary rattan garden furniture. Frames will usually be constructed from aluminium, rather than teak or hardwood, to keep costs down whilst mainatining strength and durability of the finished item.
Benefits
Cost – Man made fibres can often be produced in markets far from the original source of natural rattan meaning synthetic rattan furniture is cheaper to produce and sell in local markets.
No Fading Or Mold – Synthetic rattan doesn’t fade and won’t go moldy over time. Most modern plastic/pvc looms used in this furniture have UV inhibitors incorporated into the material to prevent fading and brittleness that might be caused by sunlight. Plastic is completely waterproof so mold just doesn’t develop.
No Storage Needed – As the furniture can be left out in all weathers indoor storage space is not required. Simply remove cushions and let the elements do their worst. We would recommend using covers purely on the basis that these (and most) garden furniture sets tend to cost more than you would expect and using covers means you avoid a heavy clean next season and keep pollution at bay.
Easy To Clean – The characteristics of the materials in these sets make keeping sets clean easy. You can find out more about cleaning rattan here.
Comfort – Generally synthetic wicker or rattan furniture is more comfortable to use than natural wicker furniture. The man made weave can be soft, smooth textured and created in specific thickness’ that enhance comfort. Natural weaves can be stiff and uncomfortable to use without cushions.
Style Choice And Availability – A major benefit of synthetic rattan is that it can be produced in any colour imaginable and the ‘vine’ can be produced in any length or thickness. This means you can achieve a wide range of designs for furniture building that might not be possible with natural rattan. Expect to be able to find fine contemporary styles as well as pieces from sun loungers through to outdoor sofa sets. With synthetic rattan there are no limitations on design.
Of course, synthetic rattan can be made anywhere. You don’t need a tropical rainforest or craftsmen with generations of skill behind them. The result is that you will find pvc rattan furniture in just about any major city.
Disadvantages Of Synthetic
Environment – Whilst many retailers suggest this furniture is kind to the environment on the basis it has been constructed from recycled material also bear in mind this is oil based material that needed extraction and will probably be hard to get rid of. Aluminium used in frames has also needed extraction and expensive production. Natural rattan usually comes from renewable resources, as does the teak used for framing, and buying natural rattan items ensures the conservation of the tropical environment the rattan is sourced from and provides a livelihood for the craftsmen living in those areas.
Difficult To Repair At A Later Date – If the set or loom used does suffer damage it is difficult to repair the set. With natural rattan some easy re-weaving, pinning can be done to rescue a damaged item. Synthetic is much harder to repair.
How to judge a good set
Generally the best sets have the heaviest frames and the thickest strands of weave. If a set that catches your eye is suprisingly light to touch/lift give it a wide berth. You want frames that can take abuse from children or won’t fold when you swing back on the chairs whilst having a drink in the summer.
Check tables and frames for poor build quality. Check for patchy welds that may crack, check for metal spatter that might damage the weave over time. Look out for sets with a 5mm weave, less than that and the weave could be more fragile than it looks. Inspect the weave for signs of stretch (characterised by fading on individual strands) and check how the weave is attached and finished. If you can get a set with polyester coated frame be aware the coating may protect the interface between frame and weave but could hide sins of its own and may, over time, peel off in an unsightly fashion if it is scratched or damaged and suffers water ingress. If you like the look of a set where the frame is clad by weave make sure the weave is thick enough to take abuse.
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