Weatherproof is printed on almost every garden chair, and most of it means it survives one summer under a cover. What actually lasts outside is a short list of materials, and the weak point is usually the cheapest part: the frame under the paint, the joints, the cushion dye. This guide is the materials that hold up, what each needs from you, and what to check before you buy.
Which materials last?
Which materials last?| Material | Rain and frost | Sun | Care |
|---|
| Stainless steel, powder-coated | Does not rust through a chip | Coat holds colour | Damp cloth |
|---|
| Teak | Natural oils keep water out | Weathers silver-grey | None, or oil yearly |
|---|
| Sintered stone (Dekton) | Does not absorb, no frost cracking | Does not fade | Any cleaner |
|---|
| Solution-dyed olefin | Water beads off, dries fast | Colour through the fibre | Store dry in winter |
|---|
What fails first?
Plain painted steel: rust starts where the paint chips, usually at the feet and the joints. Bolted joints: they loosen as the frame moves between hot and cold. Softwood and veneered boards: they swell and split. Surface-printed fabric: it fades by August.
Aluminium does not rust and is light, which is good for carrying and less good in wind.
What to check before you buy
Ask what the frame is under the paint. Look for welded joints rather than bolts. Check that seats are slatted or meshed so water drains. Read the cushion fabric: solution-dyed or not. And read the warranty: what length, and on what.
Can it stay out all winter?
Frames, teak and stone, yes. Lift feet off standing water. Use a breathable cover if you like, never plastic sheeting. Cushions are the one part to bring in. The full routine is in garden furniture in winter.
Stainless, teak, stone, solution-dyed
- Fails first
- painted plain steel
- Joints
- welded, not bolted
- Winter
- cushions in
Stainless steel under the paint, welded joints, teak or sintered stone surfaces, solution-dyed olefin cushions. That is the furniture that stays out. Ours is welded in Sweden with a 10-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most weather-resistant garden furniture?
Stainless steel frames with teak or sintered stone surfaces and solution-dyed olefin cushions.
Can garden furniture stay outside all year?
Stainless, teak and stone can. Bring cushions in for winter.
Does powder-coated steel rust?
Plain steel rusts where the coat chips. Stainless steel under the coat does not.
Can powder-coated steel be touched up?
Small marks can be touched up. For a deep scratch through to the metal, dry it and contact us. On our stainless frames a chip does not rust; on plain steel, that is where rust starts.
Does sintered stone crack in frost?
No. Dekton does not absorb water, so frost cannot split it.
Can garden furniture stand on grass?
Yes, but lift the feet off wet grass so they are not standing in water, and check that all four touch: a welded frame does not adjust to uneven ground. Under a dining table, paving, decking or compacted gravel is better.
