Aluminum vs. Wicker Patio Furniture

There are many types of patio furniture available to choose from when shopping for a luxury patio set. The two most popular choices for patio furniture are aluminum and wicker. Both of these materials are fairly easy to take care of and are much lighter in weight then wrought iron for example. So which one should you choose, aluminum vs. wicker patio furniture? Below you will find a quick overview of the pros and cons to both aluminum and wicker patio furniture.

Aluminum Patio Furniture

There are two common types of aluminum outdoor furniture. Aluminum and cast aluminum. Your standard aluminum patio furniture is usually cheap and is most commonly found in big box stores such as Target, Home depot and Target.

Cheap aluminum furniture is composed of hollow tubular pieces that are assembled together and welded to create the frame. These hollow tubs make aluminum furniture extremely light weight and easy to store. These types of patio furniture are the go-to for families who need patio furniture that can be easily stored and aren’t looking for something that lasts many years.

Cast aluminum furniture is created from a specially designed mold that is filled with molten aluminum. Not only does this process make cast aluminum much heavier then your hallow tube aluminum furniture, but more durable as well. Cast aluminum furniture often has intricate designs and will last much longer.

How do you clean aluminum furniture? It’s surprisingly easy, click the link to learn more.

Wicker Patio Furniture 

Modern wicker patio furniture is no longer made from natural materials because it is not resilient enough to last over time. When made with natural materials, wicker furniture dries out, cracks and unravels. In order to fix this problem, most wicker is now made with resin wicker. Resin wicker is made out of polyethylene, a plastic that is strong enough to last harsh sunlight and other weather conditions.

Resin wicker is extremely comfortable because of its elastic but sturdy properties. Furthermore, resin wicker is very easy to clean and maintain. First, use your vacuum attachment to remove dust and debris. Second, gently wipe down your set with a rag and a mixture of mild soap and water and rinse with your garden hose.