Aluminum
Lightweight and rust-proof, extruded aluminum is easy to rearrange and shrugs off humid summers. Powder-coated finishes keep it looking new for years with nothing more than a rinse.
On our floorTelescope Casual · Woodard
Field guide
Outdoor furniture materials guide.
The right material makes all the difference in how your furniture looks, lasts, and lives in your space. Use this guide to weigh durability, maintenance, style, and climate — then let our team help you choose with confidence.
Start here
How to choose
When you're shopping for outdoor furniture, four things matter most: how durable it is, how much upkeep it needs, whether the style suits your home, and how well it stands up to a Pennsylvania winter. Every material here is one we sell and stand behind — the chart is the short version, the sections below are the long one.
Upkeep is the odd one out: fewer dots means less work.
| Material | Durability | Upkeep | Weight | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Easy to move, never rusts | ||||
| Cast aluminum | Iron's look, half the weight | ||||
| Wrought iron | Wind-proof, heirloom | ||||
| Steel | Folding recliners | ||||
| Teak | Oil it or let it silver | ||||
| Resin wicker | Hose-off clean | ||||
| Lloyd Loom | Finer weave, porch-friendly | ||||
| Poly lumber | Stays out all winter | ||||
| Marine-grade polymer | Boat-deck tough |
01
Metal
Strong, structured, and long-lasting — metal frames are a patio favorite for good reason.
Steel
Strong and slim, tubular steel makes a folding recliner that stays rigid without bulk. Look for a powder-coated frame and keep the pivots clean; ours pair it with Batyline mesh that dries in minutes.
On our floorLafuma
02
Wood
One wood earns a place outdoors year after year — and it's the only one we sell.
Teak
A dense tropical hardwood full of natural oils that resist water, insects, and rot. Left alone it weathers to a soft silver-gray; oil it once a season to keep the honey tone. Either way, it's a forty-year piece of furniture.
On our floorRoyal Teak Collection · Outmore Living
If you never oil it
How teak weathers
New
Honey-gold, oils near the surface
One summer
Lighter, first gray in the grain
Two seasons
Even silver-gray patina
Both looks are correct. A coat of teak oil each spring keeps the gold; a scrub with soap and water once a year is all the silver needs. Either way the wood underneath is unchanged.
03
All-Weather Wicker
Classic woven texture with a relaxed, resort feel — engineered to stay outside.
Resin Wicker (HDPE)
Hand-woven from solid HDPE strands over a powder-coated aluminum frame, resin wicker gives you the look of the real thing with none of its fragility. It won't fade, crack, or unravel, and wipes clean with a hose.
On our floorPatio Renaissance · Ratana
Lloyd Loom
Marshall Burns Lloyd's 1917 invention, still made the same way: cellulose fiber twisted into a sturdy cord, woven on looms drawing from more than 500 spools, stretched over a welded aluminum frame, and sealed with two coats of Durium polyester-resin paint. The continuous strand won't burr, crack, or peel, and it takes summer heat and winter snow.
On our floorLloyd Flanders
04
Poly & Polymer
Practically maintenance-free and built to shrug off the elements — snow included.
Poly Lumber (HDPE)
Recycled milk jugs, pressed into lumber. Poly furniture won't rot, splinter, peel, or fade, and it stays outside all winter. The color runs all the way through, so a scratch never shows — and it comes in every color you can name.
On our floorPolywood · Artifex Designs
Marine-Grade Polymer (MGP)
A solid polymer sheet developed for boat decks, cut and shaped into tabletops and seating. MGP is heavier and stiffer than poly lumber, never absorbs water, and holds a crisp edge — which is why it anchors many of Telescope's dining collections.
On our floorTelescope Casual
05
Performance Fabrics
The cushions and slings make the comfort — and the right fabric keeps them looking fresh.
Solution-Dyed Acrylic (Sunbrella)
The gold standard for outdoor cushions. The color is locked into the fiber before it's spun, so it can't wash out or fade — Sunbrella backs it for five years. It resists mildew and stains and cleans up with mild soap and water.
On our floorTelescope Casual · Fabric care
Sling
A vinyl-coated polyester mesh stretched taut across the frame — no cushion at all. Sling dries in minutes, breathes on a hot day, and is the lowest-upkeep seat you can buy. When it finally stretches, we replace the sling instead of the chair.
On our floorTelescope Casual · Castelle
Polyester
A budget-friendly option that's soft and colorful. It holds up well in shaded spaces; in full sun, expect more fading over time than a solution-dyed acrylic.
Synthetic Blends
Engineered blends balance durability, comfort, and value. Check the manufacturer's care notes, and store or cover cushions in harsh weather to extend their life.
Full sun, no cover
How long the color lasts
- Solution-dyed acrylic5+ yrswarranted against fading
- Sling mesh5+ yrsvinyl-coated, color through
- Synthetic blend2–4 yrsvaries by weave
- Polyester1–2 yrsbest in shade
Rules of thumb from our floor, not a lab test. Covers and a shaded spot stretch every one of these.
Keep them fresh
Cushion care in three lines
- Brush off loose dirt, then mild soap and cool water — no bleach on prints.
- Stand cushions on edge to dry; never store them wet.
- Cover or bring them in for the winter — the frame can stay out.
Every yard is different
Not sure what fits your space?
Every yard, porch, and patio is different. Tell us about yours and we'll recommend materials that match your style, climate, and budget. Proudly serving Ephrata, Lancaster, Reading, Berks County, and York, PA.