Is your garden in need of some low-maintenance, lightweight, and all-weather chairs and tables? Give resin garden furniture a go.
Resin is a synthetic, plastic-like material. It has become a popular alternative to metal and wooden furniture and for all the right reasons. It will keep up where other materials will rust, peel, or crack.
You can opt for different styles of resin garden furniture—wicker weave, painted wood-effect, or moulded into other decor styles. These are available in earth tones as well as quirky shades to reflect your style.
Wicker resin chairs supplement a natural vibe with less maintenance; credit: Shutterstock
Resin garden furniture will add a classic touch to any patio, deck, or garden. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the torrid sun or the tropical rainfall. It’s weather-resistant and a breeze to clean.
Read on to learn about the benefits of resin garden furniture, when to opt for it, and some useful tips on buying before you visit your nearest furniture store.
Benefits of resin garden furniture
Resin garden furniture is lightweight, weather-resistant, colourfast, durable, and easy to maintain. In short, everything you look for in your garden furniture. Let’s explore these benefits below.
Lightweight and easy to move
You can easily move resin furniture from one part of your garden to the other. There’s no need for dragging and heaving. This is great if you like rearranging your garden furniture or if you have to temporarily place it directly on grass.
Weather resistant
While wooden, metal and even plastic furniture can bend and break under harsh weather conditions, good-quality resin is almost unbreakable. Rainfall, summer sun, and wind storms will leave your resin garden furniture almost indifferent.
What’s more, it doesn’t allow mould and mildew to grow on it. And there’s no fear of rust either.
Colourfast and fade-resistant
You can leave your resin furniture outside indefinitely and it will not fade or flake. That’s because resin is dyed when still in the liquid state. So, you don’t have to fret over repainting or restoring the faded bits of your furniture.
Easy to clean
Soap and water—your resin garden furniture will demand nothing fancy to look good as new. Once washed, there’s no need to dry it with a towel. Leave it be and let the sun and wind do their job.
Aesthetic appeal on a budget
Resin furniture gives a natural feel that can blend into any decor style and landscape. You also have different colours to choose from beyond the classic earth tones.
Resin is a great choice if you want appealing garden furniture at a lower cost than wooden or metal furniture.
Rattan vs resin
Many people confuse resin with rattan. That’s because when weaved into wicker, they look nearly the same.
Rattan is organic and hand-made; credit: Shutterstock
To avoid confusion, here’s a quick resin vs rattan comparison.
- Resin is synthetic. Rattan is organic—it’s made of rattan vine, a climbing plant grown in tropical zones.
- Both resin and rattan can be weaved into furniture. But unlike resin, rattan is mostly for indoor use. It doesn’t hold very well when continually exposed to the elements.
- Rattan becomes dry and brittle over time. Resin, on the other hand, is more durable.
- Resin is also pest-resistant, unlike organic rattan.
- Resin is waterproof—the water droplets will just glide down the surface of your furniture. If left wet after a rain or wash, rattan furniture is susceptible to mould and mildew.
When to choose resin garden furniture
There’s no dearth of options when it comes to choosing garden furniture. But how to tell whether resin is the right one for you? Consider factors like weather, durability, ease of maintenance, eco-friendliness, and affordability.
Weather conditions where you live
Resin has a popular “all-weather” tagline. Regardless of where you live, your resin furniture will put up with most weather conditions. That’s not true for wooden or metal furniture.
Resin furniture will not gather mould, mildew, or rust with time. Plus, the summer sun will not fade or crack its surface. That said, you want to put it in a sheltered place if possible, away from direct exposure to the sun and strong winds.
Durability of material
Who wouldn’t care about the durability of their outdoor seating? Garden furniture made of resin can last for years even when exposed to the capricious elements of nature.
You can leave it by the poolside or let your pets near it without worrying too much about wear and tear.
Ease of maintenance
When left outdoors, your furniture will need regular cleaning. The good news with resin furniture is that it’s easy to clean. All you need is some soap and a water hose. It doesn’t take much time or demand any special care.
Environmentally friendly
Resin is eco-friendly. It’s recyclable and will help reduce your carbon footprint. So, you can truly relax in your resin garden furniture knowing how sustainable it is.
Price point
Wooden and wrought iron furniture look great. But they’re an expensive investment and will need regular retouching. Resin garden furniture is more affordable and you won’t have to replace it frequently.
Image credit garden4less
Can you leave resin garden furniture outside?
Yes, high-quality resin furniture can be left outdoors in your patio, porch, and garden. It should last 10 to 15 years with regular use. The best part is, your furniture will keep its colour, not peel or crack, and even withstand splashes from poolside parties.
When not in use, you may want to protect your resin furniture during summer and winter to prolong its life. Just covering or storing it away will do the job.
Tips when buying
There are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for resin garden furniture. Here are some tips to get the best value out of your money.
Frame material
Aluminium is commonly used in furniture frames. It’s lightweight, rust-resistant, and sturdy. Opt for a thick gauge for solid support.
Quality of resin
Resin furniture made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene is strong, durable, and resistant to scratch and tear. Avoid the lower grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) furniture.
Type of weave
When buying resin furniture, consider the weaving you like—flat, round, or half-round.
The type of weave will also affect the weight of your furniture. Flat weave is the lightest of all as it uses less resin in manufacturing.
Colour and texture
Resin garden furniture comes in a wide range of colours and textures. Opt for the classic earth tones for a natural feel. Or maybe you want a bright pop of colour to stand out in your garden?
Choose any colour without the danger of fading; credit: Shutterstock
Off-the-ground frames
Your garden furniture will be close to the lawn and flowerbeds. That means lots of soil and dirt. Be sure to opt for resin furniture that is raised a few inches off the ground so it doesn’t sit directly on the soil.
The best of both worlds
Resin garden furniture replicates the nostalgic, past-century look of wicker furniture. But it uses synthetic fibres that are both sturdy and low-maintenance.
Your chairs, ottomans, sofa, chaise longue, and coffee table made of resin can withstand the elements. And unlike the classic wicker, they won’t peel, crack, or warp.
Resin furniture is also extremely affordable. Plus, due to its longevity, you wouldn’t have to mend or replace it for a long time.
So, in the end, if you like the texture and feel of wicker, you can have the best of both worlds with resin garden furniture.
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