Why More Homeowners Are Choosing Teak Over Rattan
Teak and rattan are the two names most people weigh up when buying garden furniture, and both have earned their place. Rattan is popular for good reason, and the right rattan set can look great. But a growing number of buyers are coming back to teak, and it is worth understanding why before you commit. Here is a fair comparison of the two.
What you are actually comparing
The first thing to be clear on is that "rattan" usually means something specific. Natural rattan is a climbing palm, but most garden furniture sold as rattan today is woven synthetic resin over a metal frame, chosen because it copes with the weather far better than the natural kind. It can be very good. The point is that you are comparing a woven synthetic over metal against solid natural timber, which is a real difference in substance.
Teak is a dense hardwood, naturally rich in oils that help it resist moisture and rot. That is why it has been used for boat decks and outdoor furniture for generations, and it is the material behind every teak garden furniture piece we make.
Durability and lifespan
This is where the two part ways most clearly.
Good synthetic rattan holds up well for several years, but the weak points tend to be the frame and the weave. Frames can rust where the coating is scratched, and individual strands can crack or work loose in strong sun over time, which is difficult to repair invisibly.
Solid teak has no weave to fail and no frame to rust. Cared for reasonably, it is built to last for many years rather than a handful of seasons. It is the difference between furniture you replace and furniture you keep.
Upkeep
Both are low-maintenance, with a difference in the detail.
Rattan mostly needs wiping down and keeping an eye on the weave and frame. Teak needs an occasional wash, and a decision about appearance: left untreated it settles into a soft silver-grey; oiled now and then it keeps more of its original warm honey tone. Neither is hard work. Our teak care guide explains exactly what is involved.
Comfort and look
Comfort comes down to cushions on both, so that is a level field, and our sets include cushions with colour options.
On looks it is genuinely personal. Rattan reads contemporary and casual. Teak reads timeless, and it has a quality that tends to improve with age rather than date. A teak dining set or a single teak bench has a presence that woven synthetic rarely matches.
Cost over time
Teak usually costs more up front, and that is the honest headline. The picture changes when you look across ten years rather than one summer. A set you keep for a decade can work out cheaper than replacing a lower-cost set two or three times, before you even count the hassle of doing so. We look at that maths in more detail in our piece on the ten-year cost of cheap garden furniture.
Which is right for you
To be fair to both: if you want a contemporary look, a lower up-front spend, and you are relaxed about replacing it in a few years, quality rattan can be a sensible choice. If you want something solid that you buy once and keep, that ages gracefully and holds its value in use, teak is hard to beat. That second group is the one that keeps growing.
Frequently asked questions
Is teak better than rattan for a British garden? Both cope with UK weather. Teak tends to last longer because there is no weave to fray and no frame to rust, and it can be maintained and restored over many years. Rattan suits those who want a contemporary look at a lower up-front cost.
Does teak need more looking after than rattan? Not really. Both are low-maintenance. Teak needs an occasional clean and an optional oil if you want to keep its original colour, while rattan needs wiping and an eye on the weave and frame.
Will teak last longer than rattan? Cared for reasonably, solid teak is built to last many years. Synthetic rattan typically has a shorter life, with the frame and weave as the usual limiting factors.
Choosing with confidence
If you want furniture you buy once and keep, teak makes a strong case. Browse the full teak garden furniture range, or go straight to dining sets, benches and tables. Not sure how much upkeep is really involved? Our honest teak maintenance guide is worth a read first.
