What is poly rattan?

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Material

What is poly rattan?

The warm look of woven rattan with the toughness of modern plastic. And a few differences in quality that you cannot see in a photo.

Polyethylene wicker
Steel or aluminium frame
Look for UV stabilisation

polyethylene wicker

Close-up of synthetic wicker with brown textured strips

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Chapter 1 · The species

What is poly rattan?

The warm look of woven rattan with the toughness of modern plastic. And a few differences in quality that you cannot see in a photo.

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Summary

Poly rattan in brief

In full, polyethylene wicker: a synthetic fibre that looks and feels very much like woven rattan, woven over a metal frame.

Classic rattan — also spelt ratan or rotang — is a plant material from fast-growing climbing palms in tropical forests. For years it was the material for light woven furniture, but it has one fundamental drawback: it copes badly with moisture. In prolonged rain it dries out, cracks or goes mouldy.

Poly rattan solves that. The plastic fibres are woven or braided over a frame that is usually galvanised steel or aluminium. The result looks like rattan, weighs little, and can stay outdoors all year round.

Why the frame matters

The weave gets all the attention, but the lifespan of a piece of poly rattan furniture is usually decided by what is underneath. An aluminium frame never rusts; galvanised steel is stronger but rusts where the zinc layer is damaged — often at the welds. Ask about it.

Material: polyethylene (PE) fibre
Frame: galvanised steel or aluminium
Moisture-resistant: yes, unlike natural rattan
Weight: light — easy to move
Maintenance: rinsing with water is enough
Weak point: UV radiation in cheap qualities

To be fair: not all poly rattan is the same. Cheap qualities use PVC instead of polyethylene and lack UV stabilisers; they discolour, become brittle and start to break at the weave points after two or three summers. You cannot see that in the photo — but you can see it in the guarantee period and the stated material.

Side by side

Natural rattan or poly rattan

Property	Natural rattan	Poly rattan
Origin	Climbing palms from tropical forest	Polyethylene, industrially manufactured
Moisture-resistant	No — dries out, cracks, goes mouldy	Yes
Usable outdoors	Only under cover	All year round
UV resistance	Moderate	Good in stabilised quality, poor without
Maintenance	Keep dry, treat now and then	Rinse off
Feel	Natural, slightly irregular	Very similar, a little more regular
Recyclable	Biodegradable	Recyclable as PE, not biodegradable

Where poly rattan wins and where it does not

Outdoors, poly rattan wins outright. Indoors, in a conservatory or veranda, natural rattan remains an attractive choice: it is a natural product, biodegradable, and it breathes in a way plastic cannot imitate.

When buying

Four things you should ask

Which plastic exactly

Polyethylene (PE) is the right choice. PVC is cheaper, becomes brittle in the cold and discolours faster. If it is not stated, it is usually PVC.

UV stabilisation

Without UV stabilisers the fibre discolours and becomes brittle. A manufacturer who does it properly says so; one who does not say so usually does not do it.

The frame

Aluminium never rusts and is lighter; galvanised steel is stronger but vulnerable at the welds. Both work, but it does decide whether the furniture is still sturdy after ten years.

Can it be repaired?

With hand-woven furniture, a loose strand can be repaired. With machine-applied mats usually not — then one piece of damage is the end of the furniture.

Keeping it going

What poly rattan needs

Rinse off

Water and, if needed, a mild soap solution. A soft brush for the weave joints, where dust and pollen collect.

No aggressive products

Solvents, bleach and abrasives attack the surface and speed up embrittlement.

Winter storage

Poly rattan can stay outdoors over winter, but storing it dry and frost-free extends its lifespan considerably — especially with cheaper qualities.

Cushions separately

The fabric cushions are almost always the first thing to wear out. Check whether they are available separately before you buy a set.

What we choose

Our range is built around solid wood: pressure-treated spruce for the large tables, teak and acacia for the benches and lounge sets. Poly rattan is a different material with different strengths — hence this page in the register, and not in the shop.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about poly rattan

What exactly is poly rattan?

Polyethylene wicker: a plastic fibre woven over a frame of galvanised steel or aluminium. It looks like natural rattan but is resistant to moisture.

Can poly rattan stay outdoors all year round?

Yes, that is the whole idea. Overwintering it dry and frost-free does extend its lifespan, especially with cheaper qualities without UV stabilisation.

What is the difference from real rattan?

Natural rattan comes from tropical climbing palms and copes badly with moisture — outdoors it dries out, cracks and goes mouldy. Poly rattan is synthetic and moisture-resistant.

Why is my poly rattan becoming brittle?

Almost always because of UV radiation on a quality without UV stabilisers, or because PVC was used instead of polyethylene. Ask explicitly about both when you buy.

More in The Wood Guide

Poly rattan in perspective

The look of rattan without the sensitivity to moisture — provided you buy the right quality.

Garden furniture What is teak? To The Wood Guide

Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Close-up of synthetic wicker with brown textured strips — Louisdelavilla, CC BY-SA 3.0

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