Outdoor Furniture Materials Compared: Aluminium, Resin, Teak, Rope and Textilene

Most outdoor furniture in our range is made from five materials. Each product page lists the material and whether the piece is weather- and UV-resistant. Below is what each one is like to live with in Cyprus, where summer sun, dust, salt air near the coast and short wet winters all take their toll.

Aluminium

Light and strong; aluminium does not rust like steel. Powder-coated frames can scratch, so avoid abrasive pads. Examples: Nardi Cube and Piave tables. The Nardi Cube 120 table sits on coated aluminium legs with adjustable feet, which helps on uneven paving, and weighs 13.3 kg, light enough for one person to move. The catch: bare metal and dark coatings get hot in direct afternoon sun, so armrests and seats in aluminium are more comfortable under shade or with a cushion. See the aluminium collection.

Resin (fiberglass resin and polypropylene)

One-piece, light and easy to wipe down; many models stack. Examples: Nardi Doga chairs and the Atlantico sunlounger. The Nardi Doga chair is UV-treated fiberglass resin, weighs 5.1 kg, stacks and has non-slip feet. The Atlantico sunlounger has a tubular polypropylene frame, a four-position backrest and wheels, at 16 kg. Good resin is coloured through the material, so a scratch does not show a different colour underneath. It does not need oiling or painting, and salt air does not corrode it. Light colours stay cooler to sit on than anthracite. Browse resin garden furniture.

Teak and other wood

Warm-looking hardwood. Teak turns silver-grey outdoors over time unless you treat it; clean it with mild soapy water and avoid pressure washing. Example: the Roma teak table. The Roma table pairs a solid teak top in linear slats with an X-shaped stainless-steel base and measures 280 × 100 cm. Slatted tops let rain drain away. In dry inland areas such as Nicosia, wood can open fine surface cracks in summer; regular cleaning and teak oil slow this down. If you like the honey colour, plan to oil it once or twice a season.

Rope weave

Synthetic rope over a frame gives a softer, crafted look. Brush off dust and rinse off salt from time to time. Woven synthetic rattan works in a similar way: the Rotary armchair has a synthetic rattan weave over an iron frame and swivels 360 degrees, and it is meant for covered terraces and sunrooms, where the frame stays out of the rain. Woven pieces usually come with cushions, so choose the cushion fabric with care too.

Textilene

A coated mesh fabric used on sunbeds and lounge seating; it dries quickly after rain or a swim. Example: the Torino sunlounger, textilene on a powder-coated aluminium frame, 207 × 76 cm. Olefin outdoor fabric, used on the PIANO sunbed (225 × 92 cm, with two wheels), is another quick-drying synthetic that feels softer.

Near the coast

Whatever the material, rinse off salt now and then, store or cover cushions when not in use, and see our care guide for each material. In Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos or Ayia Napa, resin, aluminium and stainless steel cope best with salt air. Iron and steel frames need their coating intact; touch up chips before rust starts. More in our coastal furniture guide.

Teak or aluminium?

Teak is warm to the touch and heavy, so it stays put in wind, but it needs cleaning and oil to keep its colour. Aluminium is light and easy to move and needs only a rinse, but the frame can get hot in direct sun. See our teak and aluminium pieces.

Rattan (rope weave) or resin (plastic)?

Rope and woven finishes look soft and suit lounge sets; they need brushing and drying after rain. One-piece resin is the easiest to clean and stack, which is why it is common on cafe terraces and around pools.

Common mistakes

• Choosing light chairs for a windy roof terrace without a plan to stack or secure them.
• Using a pressure washer on teak or woven pieces, which raises the grain and loosens the weave.
• Leaving cushions on a woven sofa through winter rain, so the frame stays damp underneath.
• Mixing materials without thinking about care: a teak table with aluminium chairs works well, but each needs its own cleaning routine.