As you are shopping for outdoor furniture for your patio, backyard, porch, or other outdoor space, you will likely finds lots of different material options… LOTS of options. And you may not be familiar with all of these materials. Additionally, where you are looking to buy outdoor furniture from might not give you all of the information about the quality of the material.
In this post, we provide a complete and detailed overview for many different material options that you will find as you shop for outdoor furniture. Use this post as your go-to resource to help you answer key outdoor furniture material questions.
So start scrolling down to find the answers you need!
Table of Contents
Overview
There are several factors to consider when selecting the right materials for your outdoor furniture and other items. A key but very personal factor is the material’s appeal – do you like how it looks? We don’t attempt to rate the aesthetics of materials in this guide because, as stated previously, the appeal of a material is a personal and design preference.
Another key factor for you will be the price of the material. Some materials will typically be more expensive than others, which usually indicates the quality of the material, and we note this for some materials in this guide. However, we do not consistently rate materials in this guide based on price, as prices vary depending on the brand, item type, and design.
For this guide, we focus on five primary factors to compare outdoor materials, which we believe are core factors to evaluate when looking at different backyard items. These items are listed below:
- Moisture: How well can the material repel water or dry?
- Sun & Heat: How well can the material resist fading and damage from the sun?
- Wind: How well can the material withstand movement from the wind?
- Durability: How well can the material withstand backyard wear and tear?
- Maintenance: How much care is needed to keep the furniture clean and looking like original condition?
General Recommendations
Feeling overwhelmed with all of the options to choose from? We highly recommend that you check out our Ultimate Shopping Guide that gives our thoughts on the top materials and other items to look for when buying outdoor furniture.
Metals
You will find plenty of metal material options for outdoor furniture, equipment, and other items. Metals are a solid and durable material that is perfect for outdoor environments. There are three main types of metal used in backyard furniture and other items: aluminum, steel, and iron.
Aluminum | Steel | Iron | |
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Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most popular outdoor furniture materials due to its light weight (making it easier to move around than other metals), high strength and durability, and low cost and maintenance. There are two aluminum varieties that you typically find in outdoor furniture: extruded aluminum (also called hollow or tubular aluminum) and cast aluminum (a solid piece of aluminum).
Moisture: Aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion in most environments (rust is a form of corrosion for steel and iron). However, if you are planning on using aluminum furniture or equipment near saltwater environments or pools, it is recommended that you use powder-coated aluminum. Saltwater and chlorine can corrode aluminum (the corrosion will appear white or gray).
Sun & Heat: The sun won’t affect the durability of the aluminum, so it is safe to use in direct and constant UV light exposure. The only caveat, like any metal, is that aluminum can get hot to the touch from long durations in the sun. On the other hand, aluminum is known to quickly cool off when moved into the shade.
Wind: One of the excellent properties of aluminum is that it is a lightweight metal, which allows it to be easily moved. However, this can be a problem in high wind areas because aluminum furniture may be moved by wind, especially extruded aluminum. Cast aluminum may be more resistant to movement from the wind.
Durability: Aluminum is a very durable material: it is tough to dent and bend (cast aluminum more so than extruded aluminum), and it won’t chip or crack.
Maintenance: Aluminum needs very little care. At most, you will need mild soap and water to clean off dirt and dust. If the aluminum is powder coated (and many forms of outdoor furniture and equipment will be powder coated), then your furniture will be nearly ‘set and forget’ from a maintenance perspective.
Steel
Steel is a commonly used material for outdoor furniture and other items in your backyard. When considering steel as a material in your backyard, you will primarily find two types of steel: galvanized steel and stainless steel. These types are heavier than aluminum but are very versatile and reliable outdoor materials that you can use in many design options.
Moisture: Stainless steel and galvanized steel are both designed to resist rust and corrosion. However, that doesn’t mean these metals will last forever, especially in some environments. Saltwater and pool chlorine can cause stainless steel and galvanized steel to corrode, leading to rusting. Additionally, high humidity environments and situations in which the material is constantly wet can hasten the corrosion of galvanized steel. As a result, it is recommended to choose metals that have been powder coated for enhanced resistance to corrosion.
Sun & Heat: Long duration of exposure to sunlight will not affect the durability of this metal. However, expect steel to become hot to the touch the longer it sits in direct sunlight throughout the day.
Wind: Steel is a heavy material. In some cases, the heavy weight of your steel furniture or equipment may make it burdensome to move. Additionally, this heavy weight of steel makes it resist movement by the wind, and it should be expected to perform well in high wind areas.
Durability: Steel is the strongest metal on this list, and it is very hard to dent, bend, crack, or scratch. This is a hard-wearing metal that is hard to damage.
Maintenance: If stainless steel and galvanized steel are powder coated, you should expect light maintenance to clean away surface dirt and dust. However, non-powder coated metals will require extra care to inspect for corrosion and treat as necessary.
Iron
You will typically find iron outdoor furniture and other outdoor items as either wrought iron or cast iron, with the former being more prevalent for outdoor furniture. The main difference between wrought iron and cast iron involves how the metal is made: wrought iron is formed by hand, and cast iron is made in a mold. Each of these types is usually used to make traditional design outdoor furniture and other items.
Moisture: Untreated wrought and cast iron can easily and quickly corrode, which will lead to rusting if not properly cared for (cast iron will rust faster because of a higher carbon content than cast iron). Fortunately, most wrought and cast iron furniture today is sold with protective finishes or powder coating to prevent this metal from rusting.
Sun & Heat: Wrought and cast iron can be left in direct sun without affecting its durability. However, this metal can get very hot and retain this heat for a long time.
Wind: Wrought and cast iron are the heaviest metals listed on this list. Furniture made from iron can be expected to resist movement by the wind.
Durability: This metal is a very durable metal with adequate care. It is tough to dent, bend, crack, or scratch.
Maintenance: Untreated wrought iron requires a high level of care to prevent rusting. If the wrought iron is treated to resist rusting, maintenance can be relatively minimal to ensure that furniture is clean and avoid wear and tear.
Woods
As you probably already know, there are many different kinds of wood. Each type has various characteristics which may or may not make a type of wood suitable for use in your backyard furniture. In this section, we will detail some common types that you will regularly find in outdoor furniture.
As a starting point, a critical categorization that helps understand the fundamental properties of different woods is defining a wood type as a ‘hardwood’ and ‘softwood.’ Although there are some exceptions, hardwoods are typically denser and more durable than softwoods. As a result, you will find that a lot of outdoor furniture is made with hardwoods. However, many softwood backyard furniture options can be an excellent choice for you.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods are an excellent choice for outdoor furniture due to high densities and natural oils that make these woods naturally weather resistant with little maintenance and a long lifespan. One drawback is that hardwoods have a slower growth rate than softwoods. There are some concerns about sustainably harvesting these woods due to a slower growth rate and high production demand for these woods. If you choose a hardwood, ensure that you select wood sourced from a responsibly managed producer.
Teak | Ipe | Shorea | Mahogany | Acacia | White Oak | Eucalyptus | |
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Teak
Teak is one of the most popular wood options for outdoor furniture. It is an incredibly strong wood, and its natural oils make it exceptionally weather-resistant, which can make this material a great choice for your backyard furniture. This wood can be comparatively expensive to other material options. Additionally, Teak comes in different grades: A, B, and C. The higher the grade, the more costly but more durable and weather-resistant.
Moisture: The natural oils of teak make it water-resistant, which helps prevent this wood from rotting, decaying, and cracking.
Sun & Heat: Again, teak’s natural oils provide excellent protection from heat and UV rays. The oils prevent the wood from drying out over time which stops the wood from cracking and becoming brittle. The only effect the sun will have on teak will be the change of color from golden brown to gray, if not treated.
Wind: Teak is a dense wood that should withstand most normal winds and wind-related damage.
Durability: Teak is known for being a very durable wood that resists shrinking or swelling, which means this wood will not warp or crack. Additionally, the natural oils help repel insects that could potentially damage the wood. Teak can last up to 50 years.
Maintenance: Teak can be very low maintenance if you don’t mind the wood turning gray. At most, you will need mild soap and water to clean off dust and dirt. However, if you want to retain the natural golden brown color of the wood, you will need to apply special teak oil annually.
Ipe
Moisture: Ipe is naturally water-resistant due to its natural oils and high density.
Sun & Heat: The natural oils of Ipe help it resist UV and heat damage, preventing the wood from becoming brittle or cracking. Over time, the wood will turn gray if not properly treated. But, the change in color does not equate to decay in the wood.
Wind: The high density of Ipe enables it to withstand high winds better than other woods and allows the wood to resist potential wind damage.
Durability: Given that Ipe is one of the densest woods, it is very resistant to physical damage, especially normal outdoor use. This high density also makes the wood resistant to decay, warping, cracking, and insects. This wood can last up to 40 years.
Maintenance: Like teak and other hardwoods, Ipe can be left alone for many years and will only need an occasional clean to remove dirt and dust. However, if you prefer to retain the natural color of the wood, you will need to apply oil to the wood regularly.
Shorea
A somewhat lesser-known alternative to the uber-popular teak, shorea shares many similar characteristics as teak and can often be found at a lower price.
Moisture: Like teak, the natural oils of shorea enable this wood to be water-resistant and prevent decay and rotting.
Sun & Heat: Shorea is known for actually having increased strength and flexibility when exposed to heat. However, if left untreated, this wood will become gray over its lifetime in the sun.
Wind: As a hardwood, shorea is known for its high density, allowing the wood to resist movement by typical winds.
Durability: This highly dense and hard wood is very durable in outdoor environments. This wood is resistant to decay, warping, and insects. However, shorea is susceptible to slight checking as it ages.
Maintenance: Like most hardwoods, shorea is very easy to maintain and usually only needs mild soap and water to clean. However, if you want to prevent the wood from turning gray, you must treat it with oil to retain its original color.
Mahogany
Popular for its warm, reddish color and even grain, Mahogany is a common choice for outdoor and indoor furniture. This hardwood has many characteristics as other hardwoods, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use.
Moisture: The density of the wood and natural oils of mahogany allow the wood to be a natural repellent of moisture, which helps prevent moisture-caused rot and decay.
Sun & Heat: Like other hardwoods, mahogany will not crack or become brittle due to heat and sun. However, the wood can lose its color if continuously exposed to the sun for long periods without treatment.
Wind: The high density of mahogany should allow it to resist movement during typical winds.
Durability: Mahogany is a very durable and hard-wearing wood due to its high density. This wood is not known to shrink, expand, warp, or crack. Additionally, it naturally repels insects.
Maintenance: Like other hardwoods, this can be a low-maintenance wood if you don’t mind your wood turning gray over time. However, if you want to protect the natural color of the wood, you will need to apply oil to the wood regularly.
Acacia
Acacia is another durable hardwood. At a glance, this wood can be confused with teak because it has a similar golden brown color. This is a sustainable wood because it is prevalent worldwide, making it less expensive than some other hardwoods.
Sun & Heat: This wood will dry out, warp, and crack if in constant direct sunlight or near a heat source (e.g., outdoor heater, firepit, or even a hot drink placed directly on the wood) for long durations. Additionally, sun and heat exposure will lead to discoloration.
Wind: Even though there are many types of acacia, all types are high density which typically makes this wood type a good choice in typical wind environments.
Durability: This is a very durable wood resistant to scratching and cracking from normal backyard wear and tear. If properly cared for, Acacia can last several decades.
Maintenance: Unlike other hardwoods, extra care needs to be applied to this wood. Regular oiling or waxing will be required to negate any moisture issues your backyard environment might create for this wood. Additionally, you may need to rotate your furniture regularly if it is out in the sun so that one side does not discolor faster than another (if it is not properly treated for UV resistance). Also, any spills from alcohol, nail polish, and silicone-based products can draw moisture out of the wood, which will cause it to dry out and crack. So, you will need to clean up these types of spills quickly.
White Oak
White Oak is a very sturdy and comparatively inexpensive wood. It has natural water resistance; however, regular maintenance is required to ensure the durability of the wood.
Sun & Heat: If white oak is properly sealed or painted, this hardwood should be able to sustain sun and heat comparably to other hardwoods.
Wind: The high density of this wood lends it to resist moving during normal wind conditions.
Durability: Although white oak is a dense wood, it is not as naturally oily as other popular hardwoods used for furniture. Therefore, it needs to be painted or sealed to maintain its durability for the life of the furniture.
Maintenance: White oak needs to be painted or sealed with regular maintenance to extend the durability of the wood
Eucalyptus
Unlike other hardwoods usually known for a slower growth rate, eucalyptus trees are fast-growing hardwood with many of the same weather resistance and durability properties as other hardwoods. Additionally, this hardwood may be a cheaper option than others like teak.
Moisture: Eucalyptus’s density and natural oils provide some natural water resistance to the wood, but it can shrink or swell due to excessive moisture. As a result, regular sealant application is recommended to ensure high water resistance for the life of the furniture.
Sun & Heat: This wood, like other hardwoods, is not susceptible to cracking or becoming brittle in the sun. However, eucalyptus can lose its color over time due to extensive UV exposure.
Wind: The high density of eucalyptus should prevent the furniture from moving during regular winds.
Durability: The oils and density of eucalyptus make this a durable wood but not as hard-wearing as others like teak. It is recommended that a sealant is regularly applied to this wood to extend the durability of the wood.
Maintenance: Unlike other hardwoods, a regular application of a sealant is recommended to ensure pest and water resistance.
Softwoods
Softwoods are typically faster-growing trees that allow softwood material to be in higher supply and at a lower cost than hardwoods. This higher growth rate and availability usually carry a lower concern about sustainable harvesting. You will likely find these materials in limited use for some outdoor chairs, benches, and tables.
Cedar | Cypress | |
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Cedar
Known for its distinct aroma, cedar is a popular choice for inexpensive and lightweight furniture. Ideally, this wood should be treated to handle constant outdoor conditions.
Moisture: Cedar does not tend to crack when exposed to rain and moisture and is naturally rot-resistant
Sun & Heat: This can be a brittle wood, and leaving this wood type in constant UV ray exposure could hasten this wood’s aging process, causing it to become more brittle.
Wind: As a softwood, cedar is relatively light weight and thus susceptible to movement from some winds.
Durability: Cedar is a durable, lightweight wood that can last years without any maintenance. Additionally, this wood is naturally resistant to several types of insects and termites.
Maintenance: As stated above, this wood can go untreated and last for years. However, painting or sealing the wood can extend the useful life of cedar furniture.
Cypress
This is a popular softwood option for outdoor furniture known for its knot-free grain pattern and light brown to reddish natural color. Ideally, this wood should be treated to handle constant outdoor conditions.
Moisture: The natural oils in cypress wood make it naturally water and rot-resistant, more so than cedar.
Sun & Heat: Like other softwoods, caution should be used when placing cypress-made furniture in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Sun and heat can speed up the aging process and make this wood more susceptible to degradation.
Wind: Since cypress is a lightweight wood, caution should be used when considering this wood in high wind areas.
Durability: The natural oils in this wood provide a natural insect resistance, which helps extend the useful life of cypress furniture.
Maintenance: Like cedar, this wood can be left alone and last for years. However, regularly treating the wood can help extend the life of cypress furniture.
Synthetic Resins and Plastics
You may come across the terms synthetic resins and plastic as you research outdoor furniture and equipment, and it may be confusing as to the difference. Synthetic resins are artificially synthesized polymeric materials. Synthetic resins are the main components of plastics – additional fillers are added with these resins to make plastics. Given that resins are the primary building blocks of plastic, plastic will typically be referred to by its polymeric material name. These materials can offer stylish, long-lasting products at inexpensive costs. However, some types of these materials perform better than others for backyard furniture and other items.
HDPE | PE / LDPE | PVC | PP | Recycled Plastics | |
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High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is one of the most durable plastic materials that you will find for outdoor furniture. Due to its high performance outdoors, this material usually carries a premium price compared to other plastics. If you are looking for a material that performs well in all climates and weather conditions, you should consider furniture made from this material.
Moisture: HDPE is a nonporous material which means that it is very resilient against moisture, mold, and mildew. Additionally, if this material does get wet, it is relatively quick drying.
Sun & Heat: HDPE is typically made with a UV treatment which enables it to withstand fading from long periods of exposure to the sun. Also, the color of HDPE is dyed all the way through the material, so HDPE will not discolor.
Wind: This is a ‘high density’ material, so you should expect this plastic to be heavier than other plastics. However, the actual weight, and resistance to movement by the wind, depends on how the furniture piece was designed and manufactured. When this material is used to make wicker furniture, you will often find aluminum used as an inner frame for the wicker to make it more resilient against the wind.
Durability: As the name describes, HDPE is a high-density material and is thus much harder compared to other materials. This high durability means it is harder to damage. Additionally, since HDPE is colored all the way through during the dying process, the color will appear the same if your furniture does get scratched or cracked.
Maintenance: Mild soap and water will be all you will usually need to clean this furniture, especially since HDPE is stain resistant.
Polyethylene (PE) / Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
PE is commonly listed as the material used for many different types of outdoor wicker furniture. You may find products listed as “PE Rattan” or “PE Wicker.” (If you don’t know what these materials are, check out our post to find out what PE Rattan or PE Wicker really mean) It is a safe assumption that the “PE” used for this furniture is likely LDPE.
Moisture: Like HDPE, PE is well-known as a water-resistant material that will resist mold and mildew.
Sun & Heat: Although PE is well suited for the outdoors, it is prone to fade if left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Wind: This is a lightweight material that can move in high winds. Aluminum or stainless steel are generally used as an inner frame to make PE wicker furniture sturdier.
Durability: PE is a good durable material for backyard use. However, since PE has a low density, this material is more susceptible to damage from normal backyard wear and tear. If this material does get scratched, torn, or it cracks, you will likely see a different color in the material as the color of PE is not consistent throughout the plastic like it is for HDPE.
Maintenance: Mild soap and water are typically all that is needed to clean PE furniture. However, this material is more susceptible to staining, cracking, and breaking. So, additional care is required to maintain the original condition.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
You may recognize this material from its everyday use for plumbing pipes. When used in outdoor furniture, PVC provides weather-resistant characteristics; however, it is a lower grade material than other plastics. You may find this material used in combination with another plastic to provide additional durability and weather-resistance.
Sun & Heat: This plastic should last reasonably well in the sun and heat. However, extended exposure to direct sunlight could lead to fading. Additionally, this material can be very hot to the touch if left in the sun for a long time.
Wind: Like other plastics, PVC is a lightweight material, and care should be used in windy conditions if the PVC material is not adequately secured.
Durability: PVC is a relatively sturdy material but is a lower grade plastic and is, therefore, more prone to cracking, tearing, and scratching over time.
Maintenance: PVC will require a low amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. But, given the durability concerns with this material, PVC may require extra care to ensure that cracks, tears, or scratches do not result in more extensive damage to the furniture.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP is another popular choice for outdoor furniture and shares similar weather-resistant properties as other plastics. Like PVC above, you may find this used with another plastic or on another material to enhance the durability or weather-resistance of the product.
Sun & Heat: PP can withstand extreme heat, making this a great choice if you plan to leave the furniture in direct sunlight. Additionally, the color of the plastic is usually embedded within the plastic, which enables PP to resist fading like other plastics.
Wind: Like other plastics, this lightweight material can be moved by windy conditions.
Durability: PP is a very durable material but is susceptible to damage from normal backyard wear and tear, and it may degrade faster than some grades of polyethylene.
Maintenance: Minimal maintenance is required to keep PP furniture clean and serviceable. However, extra care may be necessary for any cracks or scratches.
Recycled Plastics
Recycled plastics have become a trendy choice for backyard furniture over the past several years. As the name implies, this material is made from recycled plastic containers and other objects. More often than not, Recycle Plastics used for outdoor furniture will be made out of HDPE. As a result, this material has excellent weather resistance and durability and can be molded into many different styles.
Moisture: This material, like non-recycled plastics, is very water, mold, and mildew resistant.
Sun & Heat: Like HDPE, recycled plastic receives a UV treatment during production, which helps the furniture resist fading from the sun. Additionally, the color of the material is introduced in the production of recycled plastic. Therefore, the color is consistent throughout the material.
Wind: Like HDPE detailed above, the wind resistance of this material depends on the design and manufacture of the furniture piece. Generally, this is a heavier plastic and should perform better against movement by the wind compared to other plastics.
Durability: Recycled plastics are highly durable and generally do not crack, stain, or break like other plastics may.
Maintenance: Generally, all that is needed to clean and maintain recycled plastics is mild soap and water.
Other Materials
Although metal, wood, and plastics are the typical materials used for outdoor furniture frames and other items, there are several other choices that you may find when looking for different items.
Concrete & Stone | Clay | Fiberglass | |
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Concrete and Stone
Concrete or stone can be found in many outdoor furniture and equipment types, especially in fire pits. These materials bring high durability to endure outside elements.
Sun & Heat: Concrete and stones will withstand your hottest days and not fade. They may get hot to touch if in constant sunlight.
Wind: These materials are not expected to move in normal or high wind conditions.
Durability: Concrete and stones can last for many decades, even though they may chip or crack from extreme conditions or use.
Maintenance: Even though these are highly durable materials, expect to apply regular maintenance to clean any stains, dirt, and debris away from concrete and stone to keep these items look like their original condition.
Clay
You will typically find clay used for decorative items and pots for your backyard. Additionally, you will find clay used as the primary material for a chiminea. Clay material requires special care to ensure the longevity of the material.
Sun & Heat: Clay can be left outside; however, UV light can hasten the degradation of the clay.
Wind: Depending on the weight and the shape of the clay object, clay materials may move and potentially break in higher winds.
Durability: Clay is not a very durable material, especially left untreated. Clay objects tend to have a lifespan of only a few years and are known to chip and crack easily.
Maintenance: Clay needs to be treated and cared for properly for its intended use, especially for a chiminea. This can require regular maintenance every couple of months to properly seal the clay.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a plastic reinforced with glass fiber and molded into a solid form. You have likely used or seen fiberglass used in many settings, and some backyard furniture and equipment use fiberglass as well.
Sun & Heat: Constant UV light exposure can cause fiberglass to fade and degrade over time. However, fiberglass can be treated to be UV light-resistant.
Wind: Fiberglass is generally a lightweight material, making it prone to movement in windy conditions.
Durability: This material is known for being very resistant to cracking, splintering, and scratching.
Maintenance: If properly treated for UV resistance, fiberglass can require minimal maintenance only to clean away surface dirt and dust.
Fabrics
There are many types of fabrics to choose from for your furniture cushions, umbrellas, and other fabric-based items. While most of these are water-resistant, they offer differing levels of durability and color-fastness. Likely, you may have to make a trade-off between price and maintenance as lower-priced fabrics usually entail higher maintenance or faster replacement.
Solution-Dyed Acrylic | Olefin | Polyester | Textilene | Vinyl | Cotton Canvas / Duck Cloth | |
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Solution-Dyed Acrylic
Solution-dyed acrylic is one of the most popular types of outdoor fabric because of its weather resistance and high durability. Popular brands of this material are Sunbrella and Outdura. You may find that this fabric type is more expensive than others, but you may also find that the extra cost is worth the high durability for your backyard.
Sun & Heat: Solution-dyed means that the fabric’s color is introduced in the production of the fabric, not a dye placed on the fabric. As a result, this material is very colorfast and fade resistant. Additionally, the fabric is known to remain cool when exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Durability: This is a hard-wearing yet comfortable fabric well suited for outdoor use. You can expect solution-dyed acrylic to withstand the normal wear and tear of your backyard and then some. Additionally, this fabric is resistant to most stains.
Maintenance: This fabric requires low maintenance. Usually, mild soap and water are needed to clean away any dirt, dust, or spills.
Olefin
Olefin is another popular and widely-used outdoor fabric. It has many comparable durability and weather resistance features like solution-dyed acrylic, but usually at a lower price. One caveat is that this fabric may degrade quickly in very extreme heat. Check out our post to see how Olefin compares to Sunbrella, the popular solution-dyed acrylic brand.
Moisture: Olefin is highly water, mold, and mildew resistant, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use. You can often simply wick water off this fabric.
Sun & Heat: This fabric is solution-dyed, meaning the color is part of the fabric, which results in a high colorfastness and resistance to fading from UV light. This fabric may degrade quickly in very extreme heat, but most backyard locations will likely not experience these conditions to warrant serious concern.
Durability: Like solution-dyed acrylics, this is a hard-wearing material that is also comfortable. Additionally, this material is highly stain resistant.
Maintenance: This fabric requires little maintenance to ensure its durability. Mild soap and water are sufficient to clean any dirt, dust, or spills.
Polyester
Polyester is a common outdoor fabric used in cushions and umbrellas. It is best known for being available in more styles, patterns, and colors than olefin and solution-dyed acrylics. Additionally, this material is often cheaper than olefin and solution-dyed acrylic. The durability and weather resistance of this fabric can vary greatly, so pay close attention to the details when purchasing polyester fabric.
Sun & Heat: One of the main drawbacks with polyester is that it is batch-dyed, i.e., the color is applied after the material is woven. This results in polyester fading quickly and little resistance to UV light. Therefore, these materials need to be treated with a UV inhibitor to achieve better UV light resistance.
Durability: The durability of this material can vary significantly based upon the thickness of the fiber (usually denoted by a GSM number). Higher GSM numbers (thicker fiber) are more resistant to tearing compared to lower GSM numbers.
Maintenance: Polyester will likely not last for many years, especially if left untreated. Therefore, extra care should be applied to help it endure the elements. Look for materials that have been treated to provide additional water and UV resistance, and durability.
Textilene
Textilene is a woven polyester with a PVC coating. This PVC coating enhances the durability of the polyester fabric. This material is often used in mesh or screen form and will have a very plastic feel.
Sun & Heat: The PVC coating performs fairly well in sun and shade, but it will fade over time with consistent exposure to sunlight.
Durability: The PVC coating helps enhance the durability of the polyester fabric. This makes Textilene relatively resistant to rips and tears, but it is susceptible to backyard wear and tear.
Maintenance: Minimal maintenance is required for this fabric. Mild soap and water are usually all that is needed to clean Textilene mesh and screens.
Vinyl
Vinyl, also called PVC, is a commonly used outdoor fabric for furniture, umbrellas, and other items. It’s relatively inexpensive and it is a hard-wearing material suitable for most outdoor areas.
Moisture: Vinyl is very water resistant, which is excellent for umbrella fabric use. However, the plastic feel combined with the high water-resistance of vinyl (sweat will not be absorbed) might not be enjoyable if it is used as a cushion cover.
Sun & Heat: Vinyl should last reasonably well in the sun and heat, but extended exposure to direct sunlight could lead to fading. However, this material can be very hot to the touch if left in the sun for a long time.
Durability: Vinyl can be relatively hard-wearing, but it can rip and tear from backyard wear and tear.
Maintenance: Vinyl will require low regular maintenance and cleaning, but extra care will be needed if rips and tears are present.
Cotton Canvas and Duck Cloth
These materials provide a more traditional pillow or cushion look and feel than other synthetic resin and plastic-based fibers. The tightly woven nature of the canvas provides durability to the material. Duck cloth is similar to cotton canvas but is much more tightly woven.
Moisture: If not treated, these materials are not water, mold, or mildew resistant. Additionally, if it does get wet, this is not a quick-drying material.
Sun & Heat: These materials can fade from constraint UV light exposure if not treated.
Durability: The tight weave of these fabrics helps them sustain normal backyard wear and tear, but rips and tears can still occur. Duck cloth tends to be sturdier than cotton canvas due to its tighter weave.
Maintenance: If objects using these materials are not treated, regular maintenance will be required to ensure that the objects do not degrade rapidly. It is highly recommended to treat these fabrics for water and UV resistance.
Cushion Foam
A critical choice for your backyard furniture is making sure you have the right cushion foam because some foams are better at resisting water or drying than others. If you have a mismatch between how much rain your cushions are exposed to and how well your cushions handle water, you will end up wasting time trying to protect your cushions or wasting money replacing your cushions. Additionally, if you are expecting a deep firm cushion or a soft thin cushion, make sure you purchase the right cushion to meet your comfort expectations.
Polyurethane | Open Cell | Closed Cell | Polyster Fiberfill | Dacron | |
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Maintenance |
Standard Polyurethane Foam
Polyurethane Foam is usually an inexpensive foam, and it is very commonly used for outdoor cushions. If you are buying outdoor furniture with cushions, polyurethane foam will more than likely be one of the main cushion materials. This foam can be made in various densities, firmness, and other properties like antimicrobial protection. If the information is available, ensure you are getting a good quality polyurethane foam (some are better than others) and good fabric is used with it.
Moisture: This foam soaks up water and dries slowly. However, it is usually treated to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus.
Maintenance: Since this foam soaks up water, a great deal of maintenance can be involved to keep this cushion dry.
Open Cell Polyurethane Foam (Reticulated Foam)
This is a highly recommended foam type because, as the name suggests, water passes through this foam. You may see popular brands of this foam labeled as DryFast or QuickDry foam. This type of foam can be found in different levels of firmness. This foam is usually more expensive than standard (non-open cell, or non-reticulated foam) polyurethane foam.
Maintenance: This material requires low maintenance due to its low water absorption and quick drying properties.
Closed Cell Polyurethane Foam
This foam is typically used for floatation devices because, as the name suggests, it is impervious to water. As a result, this foam is very firm, so it may not be ideal for comfortable backyard areas (closed cell foam is usually used on boats and other marine uses). Like open cell foam, this foam tends to be more expensive.
Maintenance: This foam will require little maintenance over its useful life.
Polyester Fiberfill
This is a much softer foam than other foams but tends to lose its shape after repeated use. However, this foam is commonly found in many types of furniture and can be relatively inexpensive.
Maintenance: Although care should be used to protect this foam from moisture, this foam can usually be laundered to clean it.
Dacron
Dacron is a Polyethylene Terephthalate Foam that is typically used as batting (wrapped around) for foam to give a smooth appearance and consistent feel throughout the cushion.
Maintenance: This material requires little extra care than what is already required of the core foam that it is wrapped around.
