Outdoor furniture is usually designed to resist harsh environmental elements like rain, snow, UV light, sun heat, etc, and handle heavy traffic and wear all year round. Thus, the upholstery material of outdoor furniture must be high-strength, weatherproof, and super wear-resistant.
Synthetic rattan, also called plastic rattan or faux rattan, is a popular upholstery material that has been increasingly used for outdoor furniture in recent years. Synthetic rattan is a durable outdoor furniture weaving material with excellent weatherproof, waterproof, and wear-resistant performance. It is mostly made in strips and packed in rolls, used for various outdoor furniture weaving, such as sofas, armchairs, dining tables, daybeds, etc,
There are different types of synthetic rattan according to raw material, shape, and size. When weaving or repairing rattan furniture, it is a must to choose the right type to meet the specific requirements. As a professional synthetic rattan material manufacturer and supplier, we will tell you how to choose the right synthetic rattan material for outdoor furniture weaving. Please read on!
Which Is the Best: PVC, PU, or PE Rattan?
According to the raw material, synthetic rattan can be divided into 3 main types - PVC, PU, and PE. PVC and PU rattan materials are the cheaper options but they are less durable than PE rattan. Besides, PVC and PU rattan don’t have the realistic look of natural rattan as PE rattan does.
PE rattan is the most durable one among these 3 materials, mainly made from polyethylene. PE rattan has excellent weatherproof performance that it won’t easily crack and go brittle when you place it outside all year round. What’s more, PE rattan is made to resemble natural rattan, which brings elegance to the outdoor furniture.
Which Type of PE Synthetic Rattan to Choose?
PE rattan is a durable weaving material for all kinds of outdoor furniture. However, not all outdoor furniture uses the same type of PE rattan material. Classified by shape, there are 4 main types of PE rattan - Flat, Half Moon, Round, and Sea Grass. According to the requirements of different outdoor furniture, the furniture maker should choose the right one to use for the production.
Flat PE Rattan
Flat rattan is the most classic and common rattan weaving material. Most outdoor furniture sets on the market are made of this kind of PE rattan. The biggest advantage of flat rattan is that it is the easiest material to weave and process, so most furniture makers prefer to choose it as the weaving material for their products. The conventional dimension of flat rattan is 6-10mm wide, 1.3-1.4mm thick, and the one of 8-10mm wide is the easiest weaving material. For patio and garden chairs, sofas, and small dining sets, flat rattan is the most cost-effective option.
Round PE Rattan
Round rattan, as its name suggests, is a round-shaped weaving material, usually divided into 2 types - Solid and Hollow. Round rattan is characterized by a tridimensional appearance. The diameter of solid round rattan is usually 4-8mm. Round rattan is more sturdy and has a higher bearing capacity and heavier weight than flat rattan and hollow round rattan, so the furniture made of round solid rattan has higher strength and can withstand heavier wear. Round hollow rattan has a lower bearing capacity than solid rattan and is relatively softer. The bamboo rattan is a typical and well-known hollow rattan material. Round rattan is suitable for weaving larger outdoor tables and sofas.
Half Moon Rattan
Half moon rattan, also known as half round rattan, features a curved cross-section. It has better texture and stereo perception than flat rattan. Compared to round rattan, half moon rattan is much more inexpensive and easy-weaving. If you want to make your furniture look more special, half moon rattan is a good choice.
Sea Grass Rattan
As its name suggests, this type of rattan looks like natural sea grass. During the production, the foaming agent must be added to make it soft and lightweight. With a realistic look of natural seagrass, beautiful shape, and soft-touch, sea grass rattan is mainly used in decoration like pads, wall hangings, etc. The price of seagrass rattan is relatively higher than other PE rattan.
Buy the Best Synthetic Rattan For Outdoor Furniture Weaving
We are a leading manufacturer of outdoor furniture weaving materials, providing a wide variety of synthetic rattan materials. Besides, we can do customization according to every client’s requirements. We also provide professional export services, helping you purchase goods in a faster and easier way. For more information, welcome to contact us at info@leisuretouch-rattan.com.
