As a homeowner, few things are as disappointing as furniture that doesn’t meet your expectations. You may invest in a piece — hoping it will be part of your home for years to come — only to have it break, fade, or quickly become outdated.
As homeowners ourselves, we understand the struggle. And as furniture designers, we design and build with longevity in mind. We’re passionate about finding and using materials that check all the boxes — that are durable, comfortable, and elegant all at once.
Want to learn more? Meet the materials we love to use.
All-weather wicker
Wicker is a classic staple in outdoor furniture; its aesthetic appeal is undeniable. The only question is — should you go with natural or resin wicker?
For the outdoors, all-weather (resin) wicker is the best choice. Allow us to explain:
Natural wicker
Natural wicker is a viable choice for indoors, but shouldn’t be used outside (its outdoor lifespan is only one to two years). It just doesn’t hold up to the elements: the sun can cause it to fade, rain can lead to mildew, mold, or rot, and temperature swings can result in the material swelling or contracting and cracking over time. Natural wicker is also susceptible to damage by insects and rodents.
All-weather wicker (resin wicker)
All-weather wicker, on the other hand, can be used outdoors or indoors. It has the same timeless, elegant look as natural wicker, but can last ten to fifteen years (or more!) if properly maintained.
This material is virtually impervious to the elements. Because all-weather wicker is resistant to UV rays, the wicker will always maintain its original color and never fade. And due to the nature of resin, all-weather wicker doesn’t absorb water, which makes it resistant to mildew, mold, and rot.
Another plus? All-weather wicker is easy to clean. Simply hose it off and allow it to air-dry. (For especially grimy areas, gently wipe down the furniture with a mixture of warm water and dish soap, rinse, and allow it to dry.)
We use all-weather wicker for all of our furniture sets. For the Westlake 4-Piece Motion Seating Set, all-weather wicker is crafted to look and feel like natural seagrass.
Powder-coated aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most popular metals for outdoor furniture for a number of reasons. It’s lightweight yet strong, low maintenance, and cost-effective. It’s good on its own, but made even better by powder coatings, which further protect it from the elements. (At Grand Leisure, we use multiple layers of coating for extra protection!)
One key benefit of aluminum? Unlike furniture made from steel or iron, aluminum doesn’t rust. This makes it suitable for even the rainiest, most humid environments. It also means furniture positioned poolside will be protected from even the splashiest of cannonballs.
The lightweight nature of aluminum is also great for those among us that like to routinely rearrange their outdoor space — whether to simply switch it up, or make it more suitable for an event.
The City Heights 6-Piece Seating Set puts the aluminum frames on full display to give the set an airy feel with a contemporary edge.
Sunbrella fabric
We love Sunbrella. This industry-leading performance fabric is weather-resistant and family-friendly: perfect for daily living. It’s resistant to stains, fading, mildew, and liquids (although it’s not totally waterproof).
It’s also famously long-lasting, with an estimated lifespan of up to ten years of heavy outdoor use. (How’s that for getting the most out of your investment?)
Sunbrella is also easy to clean. Spills happen, especially outdoors — but a mixture of mild dish soap and water will do the trick for most stains. (And we have a handy guide for the more complex ones.)
All of our collections feature Sunbrella fabric cushions. Some of our collections also include Sunbrella accent pillows — like the Palomar 5-Piece Fire Chat Set.
When it comes to outdoor furniture especially, materials are key; they need to be able to withstand anything Mother Nature will throw at them (or anything your kids might spill on them). Want to learn even more about the materials we love to use? Check out our Love & Care Guide to learn how to properly maintain your furniture.