How to Choose Quality Wicker Furniture Without Paying the Price
When comparing different brands and styles of wicker furniture, it can often become confusing to figure out what is quality and what's just a knockoff. Outdoor wicker furniture sets can range from a couple of hundred dollars to upwards of $10,000. So what's the difference? How can you tell if you're getting ripped off?
This article intends to educate you and leave you with an appreciation for quality craftsmanship (and good prices). Although you want to make sure you invest in quality materials, overpaying for the same product will leave you feeling cheated. Let's get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quality Wicker Patio Furniture
Look for PE wicker, straight weave, and strong frames. Cheap plastic looks shiny, flimsy, and can stick to skin. Quality uses polyethylene with UV inhibitors, is hand-woven for even spacing, and sits on thick-gauge aluminum frames. Patio Productions helps you identify real value and avoid regrets.
Polyethylene (PE) with UV protection. PE is a durable, low-maintenance synthetic resin that’s eco-friendly and made for the elements. It resists cracking, scratching, and fading—unlike generic vinyl/plastic that tears and unravels. Patio Productions prioritizes PE builds that last.
Even, parallel rows—hand-woven a few at a time. Rushed production weaves 10 rows at once, causing sway and uneven spacing. Quality wicker shows consistent, straight patterns—like the Urbana Cushion Storage Box example. Patio Productions helps you read the weave.
Thick-gauge aluminum and a netted support grid. Sturdy aluminum resists bending while staying lightweight. A netted grid distributes weight, reducing stress on the weave and preventing droop. Powder-coated finishes show attention to detail. Patio Productions recommends builds that won’t sag.
Usually not—materials and build quality differ. Bulk buys can be tempting, but many use lower-grade plastics that aren’t comparable to PE wicker. If the price seems unreal, it’s a red flag. Patio Productions helps separate bargains from shortcuts.
Aim for fair pricing—not the cheapest or flashiest. Some sets exceed $10,000 and can reflect branding/marketing costs. Smart shoppers choose high-standard, reasonably priced lines like Forever Patio, Harmonia Living, and Alfresco Home. Patio Productions guides you to honest value.
No—wicker is a weave; rattan is a material. They aren’t interchangeable. Understanding the difference helps you compare sets. Bonus: quality wicker looks great indoors too. Patio Productions clarifies terms so you buy with confidence.
How to Tell Quality Apart from the Cheap Stuff
Materials
Cheap wicker is made out of plastic materials that will scratch, tear, and unravel over time. Plastic wicker will look and feel fake. It will appear like a shiny piece of vinyl. It can be flimsy and may stick to your skin when you sit on it. You may notice inconsistent texture in the material.
Quality wicker outdoor furniture is made out of a material called polyethylene. Polyethylene is a synthetic resin that’s safe for outdoor use. Some strands are infused with UV inhibitors that prevent fading from sun exposure. Polyethylene is highly durable, low-maintenance, and made to withstand the elements. It is resistant to cracking, scratching, and fading.
You may have seen cheaper sectionals at stores like Costco for a couple of hundred dollars. While bulk purchasing can lower costs, the material and build quality of many low-cost wicker sets are not comparable to those made with polyethylene (PE). Polyethylene is hard yet retains resilience and flexibility, making it the preferred material for outdoor wicker furnishings.
Weave
Well-built wicker furniture is professionally hand-woven, doing just a few rows at a time. When manufacturers attempt to maximize quantity instead of quality, the wicker may be woven in rows of 10 at a time. This can result in patterns that sway in a certain direction and uneven spacing. Low-quality weave may stray from one side to the other because it’s difficult to keep strands straight when working with many rows at once.
Most consumers aren't aware of the tedious process involved in making genuine wicker furniture. The outcome is a simple, sleek piece of outdoor furnishing that can complete your outdoor kitchen patio.
Wicker and rattan are not the same. Wicker is a type of weave and rattan is a type of material. Understanding the difference helps you compare sets more accurately.
Urbana Cushion Storage Box. The Urbana Cushion Storage Box is a great example of evenly spaced wicker weave. Notice how all rows are parallel.
Support System
Some companies try to reduce costs with the frame, which can lead to bending and warping over time. Thick-gauge aluminum frames offer solid support while maintaining a lightweight construction. This makes it easier to rearrange your patio furniture.
Some furniture (especially sectionals and outdoor daybeds) has a support system built into the frame. A netted support grid can act like bungee cords to support the seating area. This decreases wear on the wicker and helps prevent tearing. These nets distribute weight across the frame and reduce punctures and seat drooping.
Another sign of quality wicker furniture is the finish on the frames. Some manufacturers powder-coat frames for durability and appearance, which can indicate attention to detail.
Price Point
Outdoor wicker furniture is polarized by price and quality. You can purchase a cheap set at a local store, but it may not last as long. At the other end of the spectrum, you will find over-priced sets that can run upwards of $10,000.
Some brands set pricing at a more reasonable level while still maintaining quality. It usually makes no sense to overpay for the same item.
High-priced brands like Brown Jordan and Tommy Bahama sometimes come into the discussion. In many product categories, big brand names can carry extra marketing costs.
Brands with strong standards and better pricing include Forever Patio, Harmonia Living, and Alfresco Home. You can’t expect high-end furniture for dirt cheap. If a price seems unreal, treat it as a warning sign. High-quality wicker furniture can also be used inside.
The 3 Pc. Soho Wicker Sectional Sofa Set from Hospitality Rattan.
Questions
Have questions about what you've just read? Give the experts a call at 1-888-947-4449. Patio Productions is an online retailer of commercial-grade outdoor furniture at reasonable price points.
About this Post
Cheryl Khan is an avid reader, freelance writer, and failure of New Year's resolution. She loves experimenting with cultural cuisine and exploring new areas of fashion and design.
