Rattan vs Metal Garden Furniture: Which Is Better?

Choosing between rattan and metal garden furniture is one of the trickiest decisions in kitting out a British patio, because both look brilliant in the showroom and behave very differently once the weather turns. This guide compares the two head-to-head on comfort, durability and upkeep, so that by the end you will know which suits your garden, your climate and how much maintenance you are willing to do.

1. Rattan vs metal at a glance

The short version: synthetic rattan wins on comfort and a soft, lounge-like look, while metal wins on longevity, weight stability and a crisp, architectural style. Neither is objectively “better” — the right pick depends on how you use the space, how sheltered it is, and how much upkeep you are prepared to take on. The table below sums up the key differences before we dig into each one.

If you want to browse the full range as you read, our garden furniture collection covers both rattan and metal across dining and lounge sets.

2. What rattan and metal actually are

Modern garden “rattan” is almost never the natural cane plant used for indoor conservatory furniture. It is synthetic rattan — a woven polyethylene (PE) fibre wrapped around a frame, designed specifically to sit outdoors. Natural rattan absorbs water, swells and rots, so genuine outdoor pieces use a plastic weave that mimics the look while shrugging off rain. The quality lives in two places: the weave itself (round, flat or half-moon PE that is UV-stabilised) and the frame underneath, which is usually powder-coated aluminium or steel.

Metal furniture skips the weave and shows the frame material as the finished surface. The two common metals are aluminium and steel. Aluminium is lightweight, naturally rust-proof and the go-to for premium sets. Steel is heavier and stronger but must be galvanised or powder-coated, because bare steel will rust where the coating chips. A third option, wrought iron, is essentially heavy-duty steel with a traditional, ornate look.

3. Comfort and everyday use

For sheer sit-down comfort, rattan generally has the edge. The woven surface has a slight give, cradles the body and stays warmer to the touch on a cool morning, which is why rattan dominates the lounge and corner-sofa end of the market. Deep-seat rattan sets are built for lingering — long Sunday lunches, a book and a coffee — and they pair naturally with generous scatter cushions that soften the look further.

Metal is firmer by nature. A bare aluminium or steel chair without a pad can feel hard and, in direct sun, hot to sit on; in shade it can feel cold. That is why quality metal dining sets almost always come with tie-on seat pads. The trade-off is that metal frames tend to be slimmer, so a metal dining set often seats more people around the same table footprint than a chunky rattan equivalent. If your priority is relaxed lounging, lean rattan; if it is upright dining for a crowd, metal earns its place. Browse garden sofas and chairs for lounging or garden dining sets for entertaining.

4. Durability in the UK climate

British weather is the real test — damp, wind, frost and the occasional heatwave all in one year. Here is how each holds up.

• Rain and damp: Synthetic rattan repels water and dries quickly, and aluminium is completely immune to rust. Steel is the weak link — any chip in the powder coating lets moisture reach the metal and start corrosion.
• UV and sun: Cheap PE weave can go brittle and fade after a few summers. Look for “UV-stabilised” or “UV-resistant” weave. Metal powder coatings are generally very UV-stable and hold their colour well.
• Wind: Lightweight rattan and aluminium can tip or skate across a patio in a gale. Heavier steel or wrought iron stays put, which makes it a smart choice for exposed gardens, roof terraces and balconies.
• Frost: Both cope with UK frost, but water trapped in hollow frames can freeze and stress joints, so drainage holes and dry storage help either material last longer.

For a broader look at weatherproofing and covers, our garden furniture buying guide goes into seasonal protection in more detail.

5. Maintenance and upkeep

Both materials are low-maintenance compared with natural timber, but the routines differ slightly. Synthetic rattan needs an occasional wipe with warm soapy water and a soft brush to clear grime from the weave; a garden hose rinses out dust from the crevices. The main upkeep job is the cushions, not the frame — bring pads indoors or into a waterproof box when not in use, because trapped damp causes mildew far quicker than anything happening to the weave itself.

Aluminium is close to zero-maintenance: a wipe-down is all it asks, and it will never rust. Steel and wrought iron need a little more attention — inspect for chips in the coating, and treat any early rust spots with a wire brush and touch-up paint before they spread. A breathable furniture cover over winter protects both materials and is the single best thing you can do to extend their life. Our guide on how to care for your furniture covers cleaning products and seasonal storage in more depth.

6. Style, colour and where each suits

Aesthetics are personal, but each material leans towards a distinct mood. Rattan reads relaxed, textured and cocooning — it suits cottage gardens, decked lounge corners and anyone chasing a soft, holiday-villa feel. It most often comes in natural browns, greys and blacks, with the weave adding visual warmth that bare metal cannot match.

Metal reads sharper and more architectural. Powder-coated aluminium in white, anthracite, sage or black gives a clean, contemporary or classic bistro look that suits modern courtyards, balconies and formal patios. Wrought iron delivers a traditional, ornate style for period homes and cottage borders. Colour choice is wider with metal, and it tends to make a smaller footprint look tidier — handy on a compact balcony. Layering an outdoor rug underneath either material anchors the scheme; see our garden and outdoor rugs for weatherproof options.

7. Cost, storage and long-term value

Price overlaps heavily, so material alone will not tell you what you will pay — build quality and set size matter more. That said, a few patterns hold true. Entry-level steel bistro sets are often the cheapest way onto a patio, while large deep-seat rattan corner sofas and premium cast-aluminium dining sets sit at the top end. Aluminium usually costs more than steel of the same style because it never rusts and stays light.

On storage, rattan lounge sets are bulky and best left out under a cover year-round, whereas many metal bistro and folding sets pack down or stack flat for winter — a real advantage in a small garden or shared yard. For long-term value, think in terms of years of use rather than sticker price: a UV-stabilised rattan set or a powder-coated aluminium set can serve for many seasons, while a bargain uncoated-steel set may need replacing sooner. Before you buy, measure the space so your set fits comfortably with room to pull chairs out — our guide on how to measure furniture before buying shows you how.

8. How to choose for your space

Rather than declaring an overall winner, match the material to your situation:

• Choose rattan if you want a relaxed lounge or sofa set, your patio is reasonably sheltered, and comfort for long sitting matters most.
• Choose aluminium if you want a low-maintenance, rust-proof dining set that stays light enough to rearrange, in a modern or classic finish.
• Choose steel or wrought iron if your garden is windy or exposed, you like a traditional or bistro look, and you do not mind occasional coating touch-ups.
• Mix and match if it suits you — a rattan lounge corner for relaxing plus a metal bistro set for morning coffee is a common and practical combination.

Also weigh who uses the space: households with children often prefer the softer edges and forgiving surfaces of rattan, while keen entertainers tend to value the stability and slim footprint of metal dining. Whatever you lean towards, the full garden furniture range lets you compare sets side by side.

9. Buying with confidence

Once you have decided between rattan and metal, ordering from Elystra Living is designed to be easy and low-risk. Your set arrives with fast tracked delivery so you can plan around it, and if it is not right for your space you are covered by our 30-day returns policy. You can also spread the cost with Klarna interest-free instalments, which makes a larger lounge or dining set easier to budget for. Take a look at the full garden furniture collection, compare a rattan sofa set against an aluminium dining set, and pick the one that fits your garden, your climate and the way you like to relax outdoors.