Rattan is easily one of the most popular materials for manufacturing garden furniture.
There are three good reasons for this: it is attractive to the eye, comfortable to sit on and highly durable. All of those are important factors when looking for garden sets, as no one wants to have furniture in their gardens that is unappealing and undermines the overall visual effect.
Equally, no one wants furniture that does not provide comfort, or that cannot withstand the British autumn and winter.
So, the reasons for the popularity of rattan are clear, but there are other factors that anyone considering it should know before buying. Below, we will look to cover these reasons in this comprehensive guide to choosing rattan furniture.
What is rattan?
Rattan is a kind of wood that grows on trees in the South Eastern countries, and is considered to be among the strongest types of wood on the market.
Rattan furniture is sometimes mixed up with wicker, but rattan itself is an actual material, while wicker is a type of binding used to create furniture out of substances such as rattan wood.
The binding of rattan furniture is often created using the thick peel that it comes with. It is a material that offers durability combined with a lightweight feel, and is considered to be environmentally friendly.
Natural vs. synthetic
It is possible to get rattan furniture made from both the natural and the synthetic form of the wood. However, where in most cases natural is the most favoured choice, when it comes to rattan, many people prefer the synthetic version.
This is because it is considered to be the more practical option for furniture that can be kept outdoors for much of the time.
Synthetic rattan has been stabilised to ensure that is does not become discoloured due to UV rays. It also tends to be tougher and longer lasting than natural rattan. It’s often a good idea to consider buying synthetic rattan furniture – especially if you will not be able to store it indoors when it’s not in use.
The type of weave
All rattan furniture is woven from strands that are bound together. That is what gives it its distinctive look.
There is more than one type of weave available though. The two most frequently seen are half round and full round.
Full round weave rattan furniture represents the premium option. It is the most long-lasting, comfortable and appealing to look at, but it is also the more costly choice.
On the other hand, half round weave is cheaper, but is not quite as durable, soft or aesthetic.
The selection you make will be a matter of the budget you have to spend on your garden furniture, and both have their advantages.
The frames
The frames for rattan garden furniture are usually made from one of two different metals: steel or aluminium.
Most manufacturers will powder coat the metal frame to give it extra strength. In terms of the look of the furniture, it does not really matter all that much whether you choose items with aluminium or steel frames, but it can be important when it comes the overall durability of the items.
Both aluminium and steel are very resistant to rust. This is, of course, a good quality to have here in the UK, as rain is a prominent feature of the British climate, and not everyone has indoor storage space for garden furniture.
It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that aluminium is at risk of corrosion in some circumstances.
Powder coated steel, on the other hand, is guaranteed not to rust or corrode, so you may prefer the security of these steel frames.
The size and shape
The size and shape of the rattan furniture that you choose should be determined by the dimensions and amount of space you have in your garden.
There is no point in buying furniture that you like the look of if there will not be enough room to properly accommodate it.
Measure the area that you plan to put the furniture in, and then compare the results to the furniture measurements on the website or in the store before actually making your purchase. There must also be sufficient room for the furniture to be moved around as well as placed.
If you have quite restricted garden space, you can always opt for a smaller set, like a Supremo Catalan Bistro Set or a Supremo Iris 4 Seat Dining Set.
On the other hand, if you have a spacious back garden, something like the Supremo Catalan Lounge Dining Firepit Set will more likely suit you. Some people have gardens that are unusually shaped, and modular rattan furniture like the Supremo Catalan Modular Corner Set can be an excellent choice.
You can see our range of quality rattan garden furniture here.
