Wicker vs Aluminum Patio Furniture — Which is Better?

Wicker and aluminum are the two most common choices for outdoor seating, and they are often combined, since most good wicker sits on an aluminum frame. The real question is whether you want the woven look or a cleaner, lower-maintenance metal frame. Here is how they compare.

Natural vs. Synthetic Resin Wicker

Natural wicker is rattan, cane, or willow. It is an indoor material, and sun and rain will crack and mildew it. Outdoor wicker should be synthetic resin, usually polyethylene, woven over a rigid frame.

The distinction matters because some listings use "wicker" loosely. Check for resin weave, UV-stabilized strands, and a rust-proof frame. Aluminum is the best frame material, because a steel frame can rust where the weave wears or splits.

Aluminum Construction Quality

Aluminum does not rust, but quality varies. Look at wall thickness, weld quality, and the finish. A thick powder coat resists chipping and fading, while thin tubing can dent or flex under load.

Cast aluminum is heavier and more ornate. Tubular aluminum is lighter and more modern. Brands such as Darlee are known for cast aluminum, and Oxford Garden offers aluminum alongside other materials.

Weather Resistance by Climate

In humid or coastal regions, aluminum has the edge because it does not corrode like steel. Quality resin wicker also handles moisture well, but cushions stay damp longer under a woven seat.

In hot, high-UV climates, both materials depend on their finish. Cheap resin fades and turns brittle, and thin powder coat can chalk. In freezing climates, aluminum is stable, and good resin handles cold, though bargain strands can crack. If you live somewhere with hard winters, covers or storage help either material.

Weight and Portability

Tubular aluminum is the easiest to move, which suits dining chairs you shift often. Wicker over aluminum is also manageable, though bulky deep-seating pieces are awkward to carry. Cast aluminum is the heaviest of the three, which helps in windy spots but makes rearranging harder.

How They Look After Five Years

Well-made aluminum usually looks much as it did on day one, apart from possible fading or small chips in the coating. Touch-up paint can fix most of that.

Wicker ages less evenly. Good resin keeps its color and shape, but cheaper weaves can fray, sag, or lose their sheen. Repairs are possible but harder than touching up a metal frame. Cushion fabric tends to wear out before either frame does.

Price Ranges

Nothing on this site costs less than $509, so both materials start at roughly the same entry point here. Aluminum dining and conversation sets are common near the bottom. Our entry-level guide covers that range, and the under $1,000 guide shows where wicker and heavier aluminum become more common.

Larger, deeper wicker sectionals and cast aluminum collections usually fall in the under $2,000 range or higher. Catalogs such as Sunset West and Lakeview Outdoor Designs span from the low end to well beyond that.

Cushion Requirements

Wicker seating almost always needs cushions, since the woven surface is uncomfortable for long sits. Budget for quality cushions, and consider replacement covers over time.

Aluminum is more flexible. Sling seating needs no cushion, while cast and tubular frames with slat seats are more comfortable with one. If you want to skip cushions altogether, aluminum sling is the better choice.

Our Recommendation

For most buyers, aluminum is the safer choice: it lasts, needs little upkeep, and suits dining and humid climates. Choose wicker if you want deep, relaxed lounge seating and accept the cushion cost. The best option is often resin wicker on an aluminum frame, which combines both strengths.

Whichever you pick, compare construction details rather than materials alone. You can browse specific makers on our brand reviews page.