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The Most Durable Materials for Outdoor Furniture

Mar 29,2024 | TheFurniture

Dreaming of transforming your outdoor space into a cosy patio or a quaint balcony? Before you bring your vision to life, there's a crucial factor to consider — durability.

In climates like Singapore's, where intense sun, heavy rain and high humidity can be tough on outdoor furniture, choosing the right materials is key to ensuring your furniture lasts. The most durable furniture will not only withstand these harsh weather conditions, but will also save you money in the long run through minimised damage and maintenance.

Discover how to choose furniture that not only complements your style but also withstands the elements, ensuring your outdoor space remains beautiful and inviting season after season.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Durable Outdoor Materials

While sourcing for your durable outdoor furniture, make sure to consider these other key criterias as well:

  • Weather Resistance: Look out for materials that are naturally resistant to moisture, UV rays and wind, such as teak, cedar and aluminium. 
  • Maintenance: Organic materials like wood often require more attention, with regular cleaning, sealing, or repainting to prevent damage and maintain their beauty. On the other hand, most inorganic materials like aluminium or resin wicker typically need minimal upkeep, offering a hassle-free option for busy lifestyles.
  • Comfort: While durability is important, it shouldn’t compromise comfort. Choose materials that offer a comfortable experience, like cushioned wicker.
  • Style and Aesthetic: Each material offers its own distinct charm — wood boasts a warm, rustic look that gets more beautiful with time, while metal and glass exude a sleek, modern vibe that complements contemporary spaces.Choose materials that will complement your outdoor space and enhance its overall aesthetic. 

Top Durable Materials for Outdoor Furniture

Choosing the right materials ensures the longevity of your outdoor space. Here’s some of the most durable furniture options for you to consider: 

1. Wood

Wooden outdoor furniture has an undeniably classic appeal, enriching gardens, patios and balconies with its natural elegance. 

Teak, cedar, eucalyptus and increasingly, ash wood, are among the champions of durable materials. Each is known for its robustness against the elements. What’s more, these woods boast inherent qualities like resistance to decay, pests, and moisture, making them ideal for withstanding most outdoor conditions. 

The advantages of ash wood, in particular, are its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility. With this material, you can have a solid wood coffee table or an inviting wooden bench set that can become timeless additions to your outdoor space. 

2. Teak Wood

Teak stands as a testament to nature's enduring strength. Infused with natural oils that repel water and deter insects, this material thrives in Singapore's demanding tropical climate, making it a premier choice for outdoor furniture. Teak's versatility also shines through its ability to transform into a number of furniture pieces, from graceful dining sets and loungers to robust benches and swings. 

Beyond its durable nature, teak wood also boasts a warm, golden hue that adds a touch of natural sophistication to your surroundings. The occasional oiling will help to preserve its original colour, while opting not to do so will help it develop a beautiful silver patina over time. Most teak wood furniture can become a treasured heirloom, gracing your outdoor haven for 50 years or more.

3. Powder-coated Metal

Thanks to its protective finish, powder-coated metal furniture brings rust-resistant elegance to outdoor spaces. The process involves applying a dry powder to metal surfaces, which is then cured under heat to form a hard, protective layer that wards off rust and corrosion. Given this, outdoor tables and chairs made from powder-coated metal offer durability, style, and peace of mind, ensuring your garden or patio remains chic and maintenance-free for years.

Aluminium, known for its lightness and resistance to corrosion, and wrought iron, celebrated for its strength and classic beauty, are popular choices for this treatment. If you’re looking for a coffee table in Singapore that you can easily move around your patio or balcony, opt for one made of aluminium. On the other hand, heavier wrought iron suits permanent fixtures like garden benches. 

4. Aluminium

Lightweight yet remarkably robust, aluminium is a metal celebrated for its natural resistance to rust and its ability to withstand a variety of weather extremes. This makes it a dependable outdoor furniture choice for areas where rust can be a concern — particularly in coastal or humid areas. 

Maintenance is a breeze with aluminium furniture, requiring only the occasional cleaning with soap and water to remove dirt and dust. While the lifespan can vary based on the metal's quality and thickness, proper care can ensure your aluminium furniture serves you well for 10 to 20 years or even longer.

5. Synthetic Resin Wicker (Plastic and Resin)

 

 

Synthetic resin wicker, particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) wicker, has revolutionised outdoor furniture with its unique blend of durability and style. Resistant to UV light, water, and the unpredictable weather patterns of Singapore, it's a practical and attractive option for creating stylish outdoor seating and dining sets that combine longevity with aesthetic appeal.

One of the best things about this durable material is that it's lightweight and easy to store — a boon for smaller spaces like HDB balconies or patios. Maintenance is a breeze, often requiring only a simple cleaning with soap and water. With proper care, its lifespan can extend up to 10-20 years, depending on the material of the frame, ensuring long-term enjoyment of your outdoor investment.

6. Tempered Glass

Tempered glass brings a sleek, modern aesthetic to outdoor furniture, particularly in table tops. This material also undergoes a thermal process, significantly enhancing its durability and safety while making it resistant to impacts and temperature changes. 

Additionally, tempered glass’s transparent nature adds a visually spacious feel to any setting. It effortlessly complements other outdoor pieces while being incredibly easy to clean and maintain. However, while tempered glass is tough, handle it carefully to avoid scratches or sudden impacts that could compromise its integrity. This way, you can prolong its beauty and functionality.

7. Ipe (Brazilian Walnut)

Ipe, also known as Brazilian Walnut, is a premium tropical hardwood revered for its unparalleled density and resilience. Naturally resistant to rot, insects and moisture, it’s the perfect outdoor furniture material to combat Singapore’s challenging climate. 

Ipe is an investment that promises lasting rewards. Its rich, dark tones and fine grain create a timeless aesthetic, while its minimal maintenance — the occasional cleaning and oiling — add to its allure. With proper care, Ipe furniture can last for an impressive 40-50 years, making it one of the longest-lasting outdoor furniture materials out there.

8. Wrought Iron

Wrought iron stands as a timeless choice for outdoor furniture, and with its substantial weight, ensures stability even in the windiest of areas. Wrought iron's classic aesthetic, defined by intricate details and graceful curves, also infuses any outdoor setting with a touch of refined elegance.

Although it does require rust-proof coatings from time to time as well as periodic maintenance, its longevity is unquestionable. With diligent care, wrought iron furniture can become a treasured heirloom for 25 years or more.

9. Steel (Galvanised or Stainless)

Steel — particularly galvanised or stainless steel — exemplifies durability, offering exceptional strength and an inherent resistance to rust. Its strength also makes it the optimal choice for heavy-duty outdoor furniture that must withstand the harshest weather conditions — and even indoor furniture like kitchen benches.

If you're in search of outdoor tables and chairs that can endure heavy use and frequent exposure to the elements, steel is your solution. With proper coatings and protections against rust, it will remain a loyal companion in your outdoor haven for 15-20 years or even longer.

Best Materials for Singapore Climate

Singapore's tropical climate demands outdoor furniture materials that can withstand both intense UV rays and high humidity. Selecting the right materials ensures your furniture remains beautiful and functional, even when faced with the most challenging weather conditions.

For areas bathed in sunlight, UV-resistant materials like synthetic resin wicker and teak are ideal. These materials are durable, enduring prolonged sun exposure without fading or becoming brittle. They’re just as great in humid and rainy climates, as their resistance to moisture and rot allows them to handle frequent rain showers and high humidity levels without succumbing to decay or mildew.

Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Outdoor Furniture

Caring for your outdoor furniture is an investment, allowing you to enjoy its beauty and comfort for years to come. Here are some essential maintenance tips to keep in mind:

  • Wood Care: Regularly oil wood furniture, and clean them with mild soap and water to remove dirt and grime. During off-seasons or extended periods of non-use, cover your furniture to safeguard it from harsh weather.
  • Metal Care: Apply rust-proof coatings or paints to metal furniture to prevent corrosion. Regularly clean it with mild soap and water to remove dirt and debris, and inspect for any scratches or chips that may need touch-ups to prevent rust.
  • Resin and Wicker Care: Clean resin and wicker furniture regularly with soapy water to maintain its appearance. Apply UV protectants or store them in shaded areas to prevent fading and discolouration from prolonged sun exposure.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Outdoor Materials

In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, prioritising sustainable materials for your outdoor furniture is a responsible choice that significantly impacts our planet. Opting for eco-friendly options minimises your ecological footprint and contributes to a greener future. For instance, choosing FSC-certified wood guarantees the timber is sourced from responsibly managed forests, promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Recycled plastic, often referred to as polywood, presents another eco-conscious alternative. This durable material, crafted from recycled plastic bottles and containers, diverts waste from landfills and provides a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution for your outdoor furniture needs. 

By embracing eco-friendly furniture options, you can actively contribute to a greener future, conserving valuable resources and reducing the environmental impact associated with furniture production and disposal.

Elevate Your Outdoor Space with Durable Choices

In choosing outdoor furniture, consider the enduring appeal of wood, the resilience of powder-coated metal, the practicality of plastic and resin, and the sleek touch of tempered glass. Remember to match these materials to your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences to craft your ideal outdoor retreat in Singapore. 

To find the ideal furniture that can enhance your outdoor area’s style and functionality, browse through TheFurniture’s collection. From coffee table sets to wooden benches, we have everything you need to transform your balcony, patio or garden into a stunning haven for relaxation.

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