When choosing Garden Furniture or any form of Outdoor or Patio Furniture it is very important to choose the right set from the onset. Here at featureDECO we aim to not only advise you of the right choice of Garden Furniture but also make sure the Outdoor Furniture you choose is right for you.

Why Choose DECO alfresco Rattan Garden Furniture?

Highly Durable all weather 100% PE RATTAN - The best outdoor synthetic material. The recommended grade for hot and cold climates such as Dubai, Spain and the UK. If the material is not mentioned avoid as it is probably cheap PVC which may crack in a couple of years. THICKER & HEAVIER RATTAN at 12mm wide unlike lower grade of 6mm. Our rattan is almost 3-5 times the weight of low grade rattan. As you can see on the right, the superior quality of DECO alfresco rattan. We have 12mm, 20mm and 10mm chunky rattan HAND WOVEN & TEXTURED rattan which does not look plastic or cheap. PE rattan is ECO-FRIENDLY as it is fully recyclable, unlike PVC and PU.

100% ALUMINIUM FRAME which means no rust on the frame unlike frame made of steel. Steel framed furniture may rust after a year if it is not maintained and cleaned regularly. NO ASSEMBLY required on sofas or chairs. This gives a more aesthetic pleasing finish and welded frames have studier construction which is very important for sofas. In our experience we have noticed self assembly sofas can wobble or collapse due to the weight applied on the fixings when a person sits on the furniture. Our tables require light assembly..  METAL FITTINGS. The feet on sofas are in polished aluminium and the tables feature a stainless steel parasol cover. No plastic coated items which may crack or fade once the coating is weathered. ADJUSTABLE FEET on sofa sets, ideal for uneven patio surfaces. All table sets feature a STAINLESS STEEL PARASOL HOLE.

The SHOWERPROOF 250g SPUN POLYESTER PIPED CUSHIONS have a heavier, more durable and more luxurious feel than lower grades of fabric. The cushions either have a mix colour weave or a ribbed pattern on the fabric. Try to avoid cheap cushions with no piping and use lower quality 180g polyester as these will not last long. Our EXTRA COMFORT CUSHIONS use a foam and filler mix. The foam is sandwiched between the filler material which provides extra comfort. If pure foam is used, the cushions tend to be either very hard or very soft depending on the density of foam.

What are the Plastics used for Rattan Garden Furniture?
The main three plastics used for outdoor furniture are PE, PU and PVC. They are all 100% waterproof, resistance to mould, sun exposure and extreme temperatures, however each material varies in properties that provide the best life expectancy for outdoor use.

PE rattan furniture
PE rattan furniture is used for many outdoor rattan products. PE(Polyethylene) is a thermoplastic resin, which means an item made with the material can be recycled, melted down and reformed into another shape. This means PE furniture is ECO-Friendly as it is fully recyclable. PE is also a tougher material than PU & PVC. An extremely hard wearing, durable plastic with excellent UV and mould resistant properties. Life expectancy for PE rattan is around 5-10 years, however with extra care, the furniture can last for many more years.

PU rattan furniture
PU features good elastic strength and will provide excellent resistance to cracking. For frequent usage of furniture, PU’s flexibility properties provide excellent life. Also, excellent UV and mould resistant properties, however the downside to PU is that is not recyclable. Life expectancy is around 3-7 years in the UK, however with extra care, the furniture can last for many more years.

PVC Rattan furniture
PVC rattan furniture is another material commonly used for outdoor rattan. PVC is mixed with an elastic material to add flexibility and then woven onto a metal frame. The PVC we use is UV protected, however its properties on rattan furniture are lower than PE and PU. It is still suitable for the British weather, however we recommend covering the furniture during the winter months for added protection. It is also recyclable and has a life expectancy of typically 3-5 years in the UK, however with extra care, the furniture can last for many more years.

Branded PE Rattan
Commercial grade plastics, Branded plastics such as, Hularo, Viro, Rehau are essentially PE and offer great elasticity and durability. They provide excellent resistance against mould, sun exposure, heavy weather conditions and extreme temperatures. The rattan fibres are highly engineered to provide great detail in the weave and therefore the weave process is sometimes more complex. Generally, these plastics are branded and therefore carry premium raw material prices which also reflect the price of the end product. Companies like Hularo provide a 3 years warranty on the fibre if subject to extreme conditions however, the fibres in the UK environment can last from 5 to 10 years.

To Summarise!
PE, PU and PVC are suitable for UK weather conditions; however the Best choice for the UK is PE which is eco-friendly, features good flexibility and strength. PU has similar properties to PE and slightly more cost-effective and has better flexibility. PVC is the most cost-effective material for rattan, but not as strong PE.

Why does the price vary for the rattan furniture?
As we are importers and bulk buyers, some of PE rattan sets are lower in price than PU and PVC. It is all to do with the volume of stock we bring in and the special deals we provide to our customers. We have been supplying Rattan Garden furniture for 10 years since it entered the UK market so we have experience across a broad range of quality. We pride ourselves on good value, well designed products specifically tailored for the UK market.

Other names for Rattan Garden Furniture?
Rattan Garden Furniture, Wicker Garden Furniture, All weather garden furniture, polyrattan, polyresin, resin weave, plastic garden furniture. It is all the same thing, “Rattan Garden Furniture”.

What is spun polyester?
 

Cushions made of spun- polyester fabric are suitable for outdoor use. Typically the material is stitched over waterproof foam or some other type of material.  You need to invest in cushions that will last longer, so make sure you pay attention to the characteristics of the materials that are employed in making them. It is best to avoid purchasing cheaper cushion fabric, for their quality will not be good.

What is Textweave or Textilene?
Textweave, Textilene or woven PVC coated polyester fabric is a very durable fabric and is available in a variety of designs and styles. We use high end woven fabrics that have intricate patterns and a variety of colours to provide a stylish finish. Please do not confuse this with 1x1 mesh textilene on low end sets. Textweave is both strong and attractive as it is made of woven polyester non-stretch yarn which is flame retardant, heat sealable and mildew resistant. Formulated from yarns developed to withstand wear and tear for many years of outdoor use it is ideal in both hot and cold temperatures. With little maintenance required, the colours remain crisp and vibrant after years of continuous outdoor exposure. Typical life expectancy is 5-10 years.

What are the Metal Components used in Garden Furniture?
Many of our ranges are constructed of steel or aluminium. Our steel products undergo many cleaning, rust inhibiting and powder coating processes so that the product can withstand the outdoor environment, however those living in coastal regions will be aware that sea spray and salt air play havoc with most metals, especially steel. Although our furniture is weather and rust resistant, we offer no guarantee against corrosion by sea air. If you live near the sea, you would be better advised to consider one of our aluminium based ranges for the base material, with has excellent corrosion resistant properties as it forms a protective layer when exposed . Coatings and accumulation of dirt on the intermediate coating can cause a reduced durability. Very often this is a consequence of long-term moisture. Dirty surfaces should be cleaned once or twice a year depending on the grade of contamination.

What is Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture?
Cast Aluminium garden furniture is a great choice for any garden and is a popular choice in the UK market as its classic style is well suited to many homes. Cast Aluminium furniture is manufactured to a high standard and has a superb powder coated finish applied. The base material is aluminium which is high rust resistant and the powder coatings applied are specified specifically for outdoor use. It is designed to be left outside all year round and considerably lighter than wrought iron and cast iron furniture. Typical Life Expectancy 5-10 Years

Please be wary of companies offering 25 years life expectancy as this is only achieved with marine grade powder coated metal products. This is only possible with a few select companies but also has a premium price attached.

What is Acacia Wood Garden Furniture?
We prefer to retail Acacia timber as it has a nice golden colour and is a strong hardwood perfect for garden furniture. Other hardwoods are orange or dark brown and do not look aesthetically pleasing. Royalcraft use FSC acacia with a golden colour resulting from oil treatments during manufacturing. If left untreated this colour will mellow to a silver grey finish over it"s 10 year lifespan. To bring the colour back to its original finish simply sand it down at the start of the season. Typical Life Expectancy 5-10 Years

Please note, this guide is only an indication, however in the really environment, factors such as high usage, under commercial applications, general maintenance can affect the life. We also recommend the use of a cover as this ensure the furniture does not get dirty.