If you are shopping for outdoor furniture you have most likely seen furniture pieces made from Synthetic Rattan, Poly Rattan or PE Rattan. So let's discuss what it is, and why you would want to consider buying one of these poly synthetic rattan furniture pieces.
Synthetic Rattan is basically a plastic alternative that has been designed to look like natural Rattan, yet more weather resistant and economical than natural rattan or wicker. There are several different synthetic materials used for outdoor furniture, they could be Polyethylene or Polythene (PE), it could be polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or nearly any other artificial polymer.
Synthetic Rattan is a widely used outdoor material. It is flexible, solid, resistant, completely rot-proof, unaffected by water, even chlorinated pool-water, durable in temperatures and even the sun's UV rays, these fibers enable the creation of "all-weather" outdoor furniture.
Most customers who consider poly rattan for their outdoor furniture purchase do so wanting the look and feel of rattan, but understanding that the alternative Poly Rattan is more durable and easier to clean.
But don't get me wrong, natural rattan beautiful and also a very strong and durable material that can withstand difficult weather conditions.
I have personally owned both, natural and poly rattan. Even though the natural rattan was durable, it did start to splinter and fade after time in the sun and rain.
My suggestion on Natural Rattan over Synthetic Rattan
if you want the real natural look and feel of Natural Rattan, and can afford to change the pieces every few years, then make yourself happy and buy the natural rattan furniture piece.
If you want to the look and feel of Rattan, but don't want to spend more on outdoor furniture pieces, then a synthetic like Poly Rattan might be your alternative. It will be longer lasting in outdoor weather conditions, and easier to clean.
There is a difference between the two. The feel and look is different. Both make for beautiful pieces of furniture.
