Purchase a patio set, enjoy it the first summer, then it begins to rust, fade or wobble by year 2. It is more common than it should be and typically it’s a matter of opting for the wrong brand. Not all outdoor furniture is made in the same way, and the distinction between furniture that will last an additional 3 seasons and furniture that will last 15 years is almost always down to the manufacturer.
I’ve spent a ton of time looking into different weather-resistant patio furniture options for various budgets and spaces, and from balconies in small apartments to a complete backyard patio andside-by-siderands listed below have appeared numerous times in expert recommendations, in authentic buying reviews and side by side material testing. From being environmentally conscious to indulgent at the resort to being more than middle-of-the-road, this list has it all.
Table of Contents
Certain Things You Need to Take Note of Before Choosing a Brand
There are some common characteristics that all the top outdoor furniture brands have in common, and that’s what you need to know to shop wisely. A good brand should disclose the material used, provide a good warranty and provide a design that will maintain its shape through repeated heat, wetness and temperature changes.
Before you sign up for a particular brand, you should look out for the following:
Frame material matters most
The most important factor is what type of frame material is used. Power-coated aluminum, marine-grade stainless steel, Grade A teak and recycled HDPE are time-tested materials for outdoor application. Wrought iron may be functional, but requires rust maintenance over time.
Cushion quality is often overlooked
Quality of cushions is rarely considered. If the fabric is not Sunbrella, check for “solution dyed” acrylic fabrics that have the ability to resist UV fading and mildew significantly greater than traditional polyester filling.
Warranty length tells you a lot
The length of the warranty provides a great deal of information. A good brand will guarantee at least 5 years on the structure. The top brands in this list are so much more.
Check what “wicker” actually means
Discuss the definition of the word “wicker. Outdoor exposure causes natural rattan to quickly deteriorate. All-weather wicker-ware for HDPE is a completely different product, and will last for many years with little maintenance.
With a basic structural understanding, the process of making brand comparisons becomes much easier.
Best Overall: Brown Jordan
But Brown Jordan is known as the gold standard for outdoor furniture, characterized by top craftsmanship and designs so enduring that they’ve stayed fashionable for more than 75 years. The brand was established in 1945 in California; it is credited for introducing tubular aluminum frames for the patio furniture industry and its products have been featured in luxurious resorts, private estates and high-end patio designs ever since.
The thing about Brown Jordan that makes it worthwhile is the consistency. All its pieces are subject to rigorous quality testing and the brand utilizes materials such as cast aluminum, teak and performance fabrics that ensure the furniture doesn’t need infant care. Every dining set in the Outdoor category by Brown Jordan will offer an inherent weight and finish that’s distinctly different from standard mass-market sets.
It is a premium range, with the price starting from mid-hundreds, and going quite high into the thousands for full collections. If you’re looking to purchase furniture that will last a lifetime, Brown Jordan is the name you can count on.
Avoid for: novices, low-price house renovations, people who prefer quicker over more time consuming
Best for Durability and the Environment: POLYWOOD
POLYWOOD’s 100% recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic lumber furniture withstands any weather condition and is some of the longest lasting outdoor furniture in any price range! It was established in 1990 and paved the way for the development of a moisture-, insect-, crack and splinter-resistant, hard, wood-like product from plastic waste, primarily from milk bottles and detergent bottles.
Most people who buy POLYWOOD don’t realize the most helpful aspect of the product: the color is added to the product during manufacture. That is, this means that the furniture does not fade or peel off the surface, as there is no surface to be worn away. Direct exposure to the sun for years has little impact on the appearance of a POLYWOOD Adirondack chair.
POLYWOOD offers a 20 year residential warranty on its lumber – very unusual in this class. Furniture does not need to be sealed or stained and absolutely no winter furniture covers are needed. In fact, a soap and water wipe-down is all it requires!
Ideal for: Low-maintenance homes, seaside and climate-friendly purchasers, and families with children.
Best for Resort-Style Comfort: Tropitone
Tropitone has been manufacturing outdoor lounge chairs, dining sets, and conversation groupings since 1954, from the start providing hotels and country clubs, eventually introducing this commercial grade to people buying for their homes. This is a brand that values comfort and durability, as well, which is reflected by their hospitality experience.
The brand is known for aluminum frames with either sling seating or padded deep-seating cushions or woven frames. All products are tested for UV and rust resistance before market. Customers who have tried Tropitone items in a hotel and then bought them for home use frequently report that they are of the same quality as their experiences when using the item in a hotel.
Tropitone is mid to high range priced. It costs less than Brown Jordan, and is better built than the big boxes. It’s one of the most practical options on this list for a patio that will be used for frequent entertaining.
Best for: Large patio and buyers wishing to have commercial quality at home, as well as frequent entertainers.
Best Luxury Pick: Gloster
Since the 1960s, Gloster has been specializing in the design of outdoor furniture and the brand’s reputation has become synonymous with teak outdoor furniture from responsibly grown FSC approved plantations. The teak in Gloster’s collections is of Grade A, which has the maximum natural oil and the densest grain that makes the wood highly resistant to rot, moisture and changes of temperature.
Material integrity and design collaboration is what is unique about Gloster at the luxury end. The brand often collaborates with famous international designers to create outdoor collections of the same standard as high quality indoor furnishings. This is dramatically different to less durable wood or composite materials used by other brands and is clearly evident when handled.
If not sealed, Gloster furniture will take on a natural patina over time, which many consider a beautiful natural occurrence. Periodic application of teak oil helps to maintain the original warm honey color of teak. In any case, the integrity of the structure is maintained for many years.
Best for: Design-oriented patios, long term capital appreciation, teak enthusiasts, luxury residential and hospitality projects.
Best Mid-Range Option with Personality: Fermob
I consider Fermob a different type of energy on this list. The French brand is known since 1953 to produce powder coated aluminum furniture and the Bistro collection is a well-known and established collection that has been around Parisian parks for generations. The furniture is light, stacking, rustproof and no other brand can match the color choices.
In Fermob’s production, the powder-coated aluminum is treated to produce a hard and bonded surface, not a surface coating. That way the furniture will be truly irreversible over time with respect to chipping, fading and corrosion. The stackables are also compact enough to be a great option for small balconies, bistro corners or for seasonal spaces where space is a factor.
For this quality, the price is easily affordable and the colors make Fermob worth looking at for anyone wishing for a feeling of purpose as opposed to purpose-less when seeking outdoor furniture options.
Best for: Semi outdoor spaces, those with a keen sense for color, those seeking French style at a reasonable cost
Best for Pool Areas: Ledge Lounger
Ledge Lounger is an expert and it’s one product that excels: furniture for in-pool tanning ledges and sun shelves. The brand offers chairs, tables and loungers that are made to sit in shallow in-pool water and are UV-stabilized and chemical-resistant, meaning that they can withstand constant exposure to various pool chemicals, as well as the sun and sunscreen.
In addition to the in-pool products, Ledge Lounger has an extensive selection of outdoor lounge chairs, patio bar stools and outdoor dining chairs for dry areas. All of this is made to the same material standard that was developed for the in-pool environment. As a result, furniture that can compete with most traditional patio furniture products in hot sun and humid conditions.
Specialized engineering does come at a price, and this is one of the top brands. It is the most considerate option for a buyer planning to create a pool patio design.
Best for: Pool patio, sun shelves, high UV application, resort outdoor applications
Brands Worth Knowing at the Budget End
Not all of us are looking for items to invest in for life, and there are some serious choices available within budget and mid-budget that will perform effectively for their money. These are some of the top ones to consider:
- Keter manufactures resin-based furniture which is light, easy to clean and truly resistant to weather. It will not last 20 years—it is good for a balcony or second seating area with little maintenance.
- Outer is an outdoor manufacturer of modular patio furniture, with a keen interest in sustainability and design. The price is in the middle and the brand has received an unbroken stream of positive feedback regarding both comfort and durability.
- They’re all around the house and Allen + Roth (sold through Lowe’s) has a wide variety of styles at accessible prices. The quality of the construction is not shoddy and the brand has excellent scores in dining and conversation sets with regard to customer reviews.
Not all of these are competitive against the most respected names above, but they provide a worthy and viable option for those on a more budgetary scale or with a shorter time horizon.
What Actually Lasts Longest Outdoors
More often than not, selecting the right material will mean more than picking a particular brand. Let’s compare the 4 most popular outdoor furniture materials side-by-side.
| Material | Lifespan | Maintenance | Best Climate | Key Weakness |
| Grade A Teak | 20–50 years | Low to moderate (oil to maintain color) | All climates | Cost; develops patina if unsealed |
| Powder-Coated Aluminum | 15–25 years | Very low (wipe clean) | All climates, coastal | Dents and scratches over time |
| Recycled HDPE (Poly Lumber) | 20+ years | Minimal (soap and water only) | All climates, coastal | Heats up in direct sun |
| HDPE Resin Wicker | 10–15 years | Low (wipe clean) | Moderate climates | Degrades faster in extreme heat |
| Natural Rattan/Wicker | 2–5 years | High | Covered spaces only | Not weather-resistant outdoors |
Clear winners when it comes to genuine low maintenance durability is poly lumber products from brands such as POLYWOOD. Grade A teak from Gloster or Kingsley Bate is hard to top for high quality look and durability. Powder-coated aluminum is a perfect middle ground solution for customers looking for rust protection that doesn’t require high maintenance.
How to Match a Brand to Your Climate
The kind of outdoor furniture brand that you use will have a tremendous influence on where you live. This is a practical consideration that many buyers overlook to discover after the first year or so that they are experiencing corrosion or fading.
The most challenging conditions are on the coast or under salt air. Brazeau brands that specifically indicate the use of marine grade aluminum, powder coated frames or HDPE materials are best suited. POLYWOOD and Brown Jordan are always being recommended by designers when it comes to beach houses.
Furniture for hot, high UV climates will be constructed of high-quality UV-stabilized frames and cushions. Lighter colors are better since dark-colored poly lumber can become warm in direct sunlight! HDPE wicker on an aluminum frame is very sturdy in hot weather application.
Materials that are not water absorbent are required for the cold climate/ freeze-thaw cycle. This is extremely well managed by teak and HDPE. All untreated natural woods and lower grade aluminum frames run the risk of cracking over several winters.
Humid and shaded areas are great for aluminum and HDPE, but may need to be guarded for mildew. For such places, Sustainable outdoor furniture manufacturers are good to consider, like Outer and POLYWOOD sustainable furniture manufacturers.
People Also Ask: Outdoor Furniture Brands
Then what is the best brand to buy Outdoor furniture?
Brown Jordan is known for being the best all-round brand in terms of craftsmanship, material quality and durability when it comes to outdoor furniture. POLYWOOD is a durable, low maintenance and environmentally friendly choice for people looking for the most functional and easily-repaired product, with the 20-year lumber warranty.
What outdoor furniture lasts the longest?
The most durable outdoor teak furniture or recycled HDPE poly furniture is grade A. Teak can last between 20 and 50 years if little maintenance is given, POLYWOOD’s HDPE lumber will last for 20 years and will not crack, splinter or take up water!
Which outdoor furniture company is the most affordable?
Tropitone enjoys the perfect combination of business quality and home prices. Fermob’s aluminum construction and range of design flexibility are exceptional, and customers get more design choices with a similar price to the budget big-box items for a longer customer service life.
Is POLYWOOD better than teak for outdoor furniture?
The nature of the priority is different in the case of POLYWOOD and teak. POLYWOOD will not break or pulverize in wet conditions and is effectively maintenance free. However, the material Teak, which is arguably one of the most beautiful natural materials, doesn’t offer the same warm and natural look and feel as POLYWOOD’s, yet it still must be oiled occasionally. Purely for practicality, POLYWOOD wins. There is nothing more difficult than beating teak for its natural beauty and appearance.
What is the best material for outdoor patio furniture?
Powder-coated aluminum or Grade A teak are the most common types of materials recommended for use in outdoor patio furniture. They are both rust-resistant, withstand extreme temperatures and have low maintenance. HDPE poly lumber is the ideal option for those who want no maintenance and a sure fix for weather-proofing.
FAQ
Do outdoor furniture brands matter, or is it all about the material?
Both are important, but in different ways. The durability of the furniture is determined by the material. The quality of this material is dependent on the brand in terms of sourcing, finish and warranty. When a less expensive brand is made from the same material, but is assembled with lower quality construction, joinery and finishing, it will outlast a more reputable brand made of the same material.
Which outdoor furniture brand is best for a small balcony?
The piece-by-piece construction of Fermob is the best option for small balconies, resulting in low weight and stacking capabilities that do not compromise the design element. Keter is a practical budget solution for balconies that require inexpensive, weatherproof options.
What warranty should I expect from a good outdoor furniture brand?
A good outdoor furniture company will provide a minimum five year structural warranty. POLYWOOD has a 20-year warranty on lumber. Most frames and materials include a multi-year warranty with Brown Jordan or Gloster. Outdoor furniture with frames of less than 3 years is less confident in the outdoor furniture.
Can I leave outdoor furniture outside all year?
Teak, powder-coated aluminum and HDPE poly lumber can be used outdoors in most climates for furniture. POLYWOOD makes it clear that furniture does not need covers! Any brand of cushion is to be stored, even for a long-term extended rain or winter period.
Final Thoughts
One of those things you can choose to spend a little extra on up front, which will pay for you in the long run, is purchasing outdoor furniture. A set of Brown Jordan and/or Tropitone would last the lifetime of three to four sets of big box replacement.
For a family looking for a good investment that can provide them with zero maintenance and sure reliability, they cannot get a better choice than POLYWOOD.
The most helpful question to ask before purchase isn’t “what looks good?” but “what looks good after 10 years? The following list is the sum of brands that answer that question with a definite yes.
Once you’ve decided, you likely will never need to think about this again, as you’ll have chosen what is right for your climate, your space and your wallet.
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