A well-decorated patio can ultimately elevate the appearance of your home. Not only does it look visually appealing, but it also provides you with a very useful sitting area. One of the most popular types of outdoor furniture is rattan garden furniture.

Rattan garden furniture includes a wide variety of different types. You can choose between dining sets, corner sofas, sun loungers, and much more. All of their furniture pieces feature a lovely design and are reasonably priced. However, one of the most important questions still remains. Does rattan garden furniture fade in the sun?

One of the main issues with outdoor furniture is that it’s prone to eventually fading away and losing its colour. There are many reasons behind why the garden furniture could fade, but UV rays from the sun are one of the most common reasons.

While many people believe that rain or snow is bad weather for outdoor furniture, the sun actually ends up doing just as much damage. So, it’s essential to be careful when buying rattan garden furniture sets.

To understand if it fades in the sun, it’s first essential to consider the different types of rattan garden furniture. Then you’ll find out for sure if rattan garden furniture is UV resistant or not. One of the most resistant types of outdoor furniture is synthetic rattan.

Let’s take a look at the different types of synthetic rattan furniture!

PE stands for polyethylene and is one of the most popular choices for rattan garden furniture. The reason behind its popularity is that polyethylene is incredibly durable and will last for a very long time.

When we say weather resistant, we really do mean weather resistant or weatherproof. For example, PE rattan garden furniture is UV resistant and can withstand bad weather. As a result, the paint on PE rattan furniture will last for a long while.

Due to how long they can effectively last, PE rattan furniture tends to be the most expensive out of all the available options. However, if you properly take care of your PE rattan furniture, it can last between 5 – 7 years.

Another option available for those looking to buy synthetic rattan furniture is buying polyurethane rattan. Polyurethane is known more for its flexibility which is why it’s also a popular choice.

Thanks to the flexibility, the PU rattan furniture can withstand a number of different conditions. However, it doesn’t boast the same level of durability as PE.

Generally, PE rattan furniture will display a level of UV resistance and won’t fade through exposure to sunlight. However, it’s prone to suffering a lot of damage from bad weather like rain. In combination with bright sunlight, that can cause the paint to fade.

Due to it not being as durable as PE rattan, PU rattan furniture is significantly cheaper. The only drawback is that you’ll have to take care of the furniture to ensure it lasts for longer than a year.

The third type of synthetic rattan furniture is made from polyvinyl chloride. PVC is also a super flexible plastic which helps ensure that all the weaves in the rattan furniture are as tight as possible.

It’s essential to ensure that the weaves are tight because that can significantly impact the durability of the furniture. However, due to its level of flexibility, PVC certainly isn’t among the most durable materials.

Generally, you can expect to receive the same amount of durability from PVC as you would from PE rattan furniture. That’s one of the reasons why they’re available for a similar price as well.

If we’re talking about natural rattan furniture made from vine, then yes, that will fade very quickly. By not being careful, it’s possible that your natural rattan furniture can start to fade in a few months. Natural rattan outdoor wood furniture is not very UV resistant. You’ll need to get proper protective equipment to stop natural rattan furniture from fading.

Synthetic Rattan furniture, on the other hand, is a different story. PU rattan furniture can easily last for more than 5 years. If you take proper care, it can last even longer.

Eventually, all rattan furniture will start to fade due to exposure to UV rays. However, how soon the furniture will begin to fade depends on the material. The higher the quality of the material used, the longer it will last. Aside from the material of the weave, the frame also plays a significant role.

You can typically choose between a steel frame or an aluminium frame. A steel frame is heavy and incredibly durable. However, a steel frame doesn’t offer the same level of weather resistance as an aluminium frame would.

Aside from the frame and the material, the quality of the weave is another factor that you should consider. The tighter the weaves, the higher the overall durability of the furniture. If the weaves are loose, then the furniture is likely to fade away quicker.

It’s important to consider all those factors when determining whether rattan furniture will fade or not. While all the materials will fade eventually if put under the sun for too long, the duration differs greatly for each.

Tips to help prevent rattan furniture from fading

• Get a cover for your furniture which you can put on when you’re not using
• Buy a protective spray that you can use on the furniture to increase its longevity

You can even get a UV resistant coating applied to the furniture to help ensure that it lasts longer

When it comes to UV resistant rattan furniture, you can choose to go for several different synthetic options. The synthetic materials are significantly more durable and weather resistant than the natural offerings.

However, it’s important to be careful when picking the synthetic material as well. Each type offers its own advantages and disadvantages. Now that you have a decent understanding of rattan garden furniture and its UV resistance, you’re ready to create the perfect outdoor sitting area!