Patio Furniture Frame Materials: Wood, Metal, and Recycled Lumber

POLYWOOD®: Best Low-Maintenance Patio Furniture

POLYWOOD® frames are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a type of plastic derived primarily from recycled milk jugs and detergent bottles. The raw HDPE is cleaned, melted, and extruded into lumber-profile boards that are then milled and assembled like traditional woodworking.

Here's the detail that matters most: the pigment is compounded into the HDPE during extrusion, so the color runs through the full thickness of the material. It's not a coating. There's nothing to chip, peel, or fade the way painted or stained surfaces do. Scratch it and you'll see the same color underneath.

The practical result: POLYWOOD is completely impervious to moisture. It can't rot, swell, crack, or splinter. It's indifferent to temperature cycling and has no response to sustained snow accumulation. Leave it outside year-round and it won't care. POLYWOOD backs every piece with a 20-year residential warranty, and in our experience, that warranty is almost never used.

Collections: Vineyard by POLYWOOD, Edge by POLYWOOD, Braxton by POLYWOOD, Adirondacks by POLYWOOD

Solid Ipe Wood: The Strongest Natural Hardwood for Outdoor Use

Ipe (pronounced "EE-pay") is a tropical hardwood native to Central and South America, and it's in a different league from any other wood you'll find in outdoor furniture. It rates approximately 3,680 on the Janka hardness scale, roughly seven times harder than cedar and more than three times harder than teak. That density is why Ipe resists moisture infiltration, insect damage, and surface wear without requiring chemical treatment or sealant.

Here's what surprises most buyers: Ipe requires zero structural maintenance. It will not rot, crack, or warp even after years of exposure. The only change is cosmetic. Untreated Ipe weathers to a silver-grey patina as UV breaks down surface pigment over time. Many owners prefer the weathered look. To preserve the original deep brown tone, apply a UV-inhibitor oil annually. The Jensen Outdoor Ipe collections are FSC-certified, meaning the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Collections: Sky by Jensen Outdoor, Ipe by Jensen Outdoor

Teak Patio Furniture: Beautiful but Requires Annual Care

Teak is the material buyers ask about most, and for good reason. Its natural oil content provides inherent resistance to moisture, rot, and insect damage without chemical treatment, and the warm golden tone is hard to match with any other material.

The honest trade-off: teak requires annual oiling to keep that golden look. Without it, UV exposure causes teak to develop a silver-grey patina similar to Ipe, though the graying tends to happen faster at higher elevations. The wood remains structurally sound either way, so this is purely a cosmetic choice.

Teak is softer than Ipe (roughly 1,000-1,200 on the Janka scale compared to Ipe's 3,680), which means it's more susceptible to surface scratches and denting. It's also heavier than aluminum, which contributes to stability but makes repositioning less convenient. If you love the look and genuinely enjoy the annual upkeep ritual, teak rewards you. If oiling sounds like a chore you'll skip, consider POLYWOOD or Ipe instead.

Collections: Spencer by Kingsley Bate (solid Grade A teak with all-weather wicker detailing)

Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture: Most Versatile Frame Material

Cast aluminum is the material our specialists recommend most often, and the reason is simple: it does everything well.

The frames are produced by pouring molten aluminum into molds, creating denser, heavier pieces with more intricate detail than other aluminum methods. The casting process allows for ornamental patterns and contoured shapes that extruded or tubular aluminum can't replicate. After casting, frames are finished with electrostatic powder coating: a dry powder is applied using an electrical charge, then baked at 350-400 degrees. The result is a finish significantly more durable than liquid paint, resistant to chipping, scratching, and UV degradation.

Cast aluminum doesn't rust. It's heavy enough to resist wind displacement, strong enough to handle sustained snow load, and holds up through repeated temperature cycling. It's available in the widest range of styles and price points across the 2026 lineup, which is why it ends up being the right answer for most buyers.

Collections: Kenzo by Tropitone, Berkeley by Castelle, Siena by Ebel, Cedar by Hanamint

Extruded and Tubular Aluminum: Lighter, Modern, Budget-Friendly

Extruded aluminum is produced by pushing heated aluminum through a die, creating uniform, lightweight profiles. Tubular aluminum uses hollow cross-sections for further weight reduction. Both are powder-coated for durability.

The key difference from cast: extruded and tubular frames are lighter (easier to move and reposition), less expensive, and better suited to clean, modern silhouettes. The trade-off is lower wind resistance due to reduced weight and less ornamental detail. If you rearrange your patio frequently or want a contemporary look at a lower price point, this is where to start.

Collections: Ridgway by Christy Outdoor Living (aluminum with thermal-transfer wood grain finish and woven rope back), Lucia by Ratana, Dakoda by Mallin, Penelope by Alfresco Home (aluminum with eco-wood poly slats)

Wrought Iron and Steel: Heaviest, Most Wind-Resistant Frames

Wrought iron and galvanized steel produce the heaviest frames in the lineup, and that weight is the point. Nothing moves these in the wind. They have a substantial, grounded presence that lighter materials can't replicate.

Wrought iron frames are typically hand-forged or formed from solid stock, while galvanized steel uses a zinc coating to resist corrosion. Both require periodic inspection for finish wear, particularly at joints and contact points. If the powder coating chips or wears through, touch up the exposed metal promptly to prevent surface rust. This is the one material category where a little vigilance pays off.

Collections: Classico by O.W. Lee, Monterra by O.W. Lee, Marin by O.W. Lee