I suppose the first question we must ask is how do you define durability? When it comes to garden furniture, we all have a different slant on what we consider to be (or think will be) durable.
Throw in the fact that some will want to put their furniture outside and forget about it, while others are prepared to wax it, cover it, protect and maintain it to keep it in pristine condition.
For us, when we refer to how durable our furniture is, we are referring to its ability to withstand both being used, moved around the patio, and the various environmental factors it will be exposed to when placed outside all year round, such as sunlight, rain, snow, wind, and temperature fluctuations.
A durable outdoor furniture piece must be highly resistant to fading, rust, corrosion, moisture damage, and general wear and tear. Of course, how you use, protect and maintain your furniture once it is set up in your garden then comes into play.
Even the materials best suited to outdoor use in the UK, such as cast aluminium (such as our 6-Seater Catherine Set pictured above), teak, HDPE plastics, and synthetic rattans, if you put them outside, leave them for several years with no cleaning and lots of heavy use, then they are going to look pretty shabby.
Materials play a significant role in determining the durability of outdoor furniture but other factors such as the level of maintenance we are prepared to do or the type of environment it is exposed to are just as important.
Of course, when choosing new outdoor furniture, we also say to customers that it is super important to consider its durability.
If you’re investing a large sum, you want to ensure it can withstand the elements, maintain its quality and appearance over time and, most importantly, deliver value for money.
Factors such as maintenance requirements, warranty coverage, and proper care will directly impact the longevity of outdoor furniture and the desired return on your investment.
With all that in mind, the next question we need to try and answer is; what are the most durable types of garden furniture for all-year-round use in UK gardens?
What will offer the best bang for your buck with the least amount of additional investment of cost and time?
Our top 5 most durable types of garden furniture
For all-year-round use in UK gardens, where the weather can be quite unpredictable with frequent rain, the most durable types of garden furniture are typically those made from materials that can best withstand lots of moisture, sudden temperature fluctuations, and the occasional exposure to sunlight.
1. Teak wooden garden furniture
If you want durable wooden garden furniture, then for us, it can only be teak. It contains a high level of natural oils and silica (rubber) so is highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. That combined with a tight grain structure means it is incredibly difficult for moisture to penetrate.
It is a popular choice for outdoor furniture in the UK due to its strength and ability to withstand various weather conditions. Teak furniture often develops a beautiful silver-grey patina over time if left untreated.
However, if you want to preserve its distinctive colour and woodgrain, then a regular coat of teak oil will maintain and protect it.
2. Powder-coated cast aluminium garden furniture
The powder-coated cast aluminium we use across our furniture collection is lightweight, strong, and resistant to rust and corrosion. The casting process means we can forge the intricate shapes that give us our trademark classical styling.
It is an excellent choice for UK gardens as it can withstand high moisture and temperature changes without deteriorating. Also, aluminium furniture is easy to maintain and can be cleaned with soapy water.
We looked in detail at the suitability of our range in our What garden furniture is best for the UK climate? Article, and in that we stated:
“All garden furniture materials have their pros and cons. That is what you need to consider before you purchase something new. Of course, we can’t tell you what to buy, but we can clarify why a great all-rounder such as Cast Aluminium is a logical purchase for the climate here in the UK. And when it comes to the climate in the UK, we need outdoor furniture that can stand up to wind, rain, sun and snow. In terms of temperature range, in summer, the average temperature ranges from 9–18 degrees Celsius, whilst the wintertime will see the average drop to 2 and 7 degrees Celsius but that will regularly dip below 0 degrees Celsius. As for how we judge the suitability of a material, for us, in terms of why we opted for cast aluminium as our core material, and what our QC/Product Development team look for, it is a combination of weight (or sturdiness), protection from the elements, low maintenance and value for money.”
3. Polyethylene (PE) rattan wicker garden furniture
When we launched Lazy Susan back in 2007, synthetic wicker was the new kid on the block. We even had a brief flirtation with selling a collection of poly-rattan outdoor dining sets but it wasn’t the material for us.
Not that we don’t like it, it is one of the best-selling materials in the UK, we just decided to focus on cast aluminium as we felt it was better suited to our climate.
Made from polyethylene, synthetic rattans are highly durable and resistant to moisture. PE wicker furniture mimics the look of natural wicker but is better suited for outdoor use in the UK climate.
It also requires minimal maintenance and can be easily cleaned with a sponge, soapy water and a garden hose.
4. Stainless steel outdoor furniture
Stainless steel is incredibly durable and resistant to rust, corrosion, and staining.
Stainless steel furniture will give you a sleek modern look, it can withstand the elements and maintain its appearance over time with minimal maintenance. It is a stylish weather-resistant option for contemporary outdoor spaces.
5. Powder-coated steel garden furniture
If you find the stainless look a little cold, then last on our list of most durable types is steel furniture that has been powder-coated like our cast aluminium range.
Again, it is durable and resistant to rust and corrosion. The powder coating provides an extra layer of protection against the elements, making it suitable for all-year-round use in UK gardens.
Our final thoughts for your outdoor space…
When choosing new garden furniture for all-year-round use in the UK, it's essential to consider not only durability but also comfort, style, and practicality.
Additionally, by also investing in garden furniture covers or storing during bad weather, you can help prolong the life of your outdoor furniture.
Our How to maintain our outdoor tables and chairs article looks at how best to care for, clean, protect, and keep our garden tables and chairs maintenance-free.
If you have any photos of your Lazy Susan Garden Furniture, we’d love to see a few for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.