Outdoor Furniture Materials and Care
Discover the Materials Behind Our Outdoor Furniture
At Design Warehouse, we use premium materials that are specifically chosen for their refined design, durability, and performance in New Zealand’s unique outdoor conditions. This guide offers an overview of each material and simple care instructions to help you maintain your furniture for years to come.
A-Grade Teak
Our teak outdoor furniture is crafted from A-grade teak — the finest quality available in New Zealand and worldwide. Known for its natural water and rot resistance, teak contains high levels of oil and rubber compounds, making it incredibly stable for outdoor use. Valued for its even grain and warm colour, teak has long been the timber of choice in furniture and boat building. Durable and resilient, it offers excellent resistance to insects and decay. Read more about A-grade teak furniture.
How to care for your A-grade teak furniture
A-grade teak requires minimal maintenance, thanks to its natural oils. To retain its golden colour, we recommend cleaning your furniture with a soft brush and mild soap every few months, and applying a teak protector as needed. If left untreated, teak will gracefully weather to a silver-grey patina — a natural and desirable effect. For detailed care instructions, read more about caring for A-grade teak furniture.
Reclaimed Teak
Reclaimed teak is solid teakwood that has been salvaged from old buildings, structures, or boats — most often in Central Java. This timber typically comes from mature, old-growth trees, making it extremely dense, stable, and ideal for outdoor furniture. The beauty of reclaimed teak lies in its natural imperfections, aged surface, and rich history. Each piece carries its own character, with visible marks, patina, and variation in tone that can’t be replicated in new timber. Its natural oils and dense grain make it naturally resistant to pests and weathering. Learn more about reclaimed teak furniture. Explore our full collection of reclaimed teak outdoor furniture.
How to Care for Reclaimed Teak Furniture
Reclaimed teak requires minimal upkeep, but gentle cleaning is recommended to preserve its unique surface character. For general cleaning, use a diluted solution of Marine Simple Green® and water, applied with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and allow to air dry.
For more stubborn surface discolouration, a mild bleach solution (a few drops in water) may be used sparingly on damp wood. Leave on for 5–10 minutes before rinsing gently and allowing it to air dry. Always test any cleaning method on a small, hidden area first. For daily upkeep, a soft dry brush is ideal for removing dust or debris. Read more about caring for reclaimed teak furniture.
Powder-coated Aluminium
Powder-coated aluminium is our preferred material for lightweight outdoor furniture. Durable and visually refined, it’s finished with polyester micro-particles in colours that complement the furniture’s design. This protective coating helps the aluminium stay looking like new for years. While aluminium doesn’t rust like steel (think black or orange corrosion), powder-coating offers similar oxidation resistance to our steel pieces. Learn more about powder-coated aluminium furniture.
How to care for powder-coated aluminium furniture
Powder-coated aluminium is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture, because of its good looks and durability. Powder coating is durable for outdoor furniture, but it isn’t a hard coating, relatively speaking. Do not use abrasive cleaners. With powder-coating you won’t need abrasives anyway. The finish is smooth and resistant to dirt and debris. Read more about caring for powder-coated aluminium furniture.
Concrete Furniture
Our concrete outdoor furniture is designed to make a confident statement in any exterior setting. Most of our pieces are crafted from glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), an innovative material that blends cement, resin, and glass fibres. This composite allows for a lighter weight product while maintaining the strength and durability of solid concrete.
As with any natural material, concrete may develop subtle hairline cracks and tonal variations over time. These are cosmetic and part of its character — similar to polished concrete flooring or wall finishes — and do not affect the integrity or performance of the piece. Concrete’s raw, organic aesthetic adds a sophisticated edge to outdoor furniture, especially when paired with complementary textures. Read more about concrete outdoor furniture material and explore our full collection of outdoor concrete furniture.
How to Care for Concrete Furniture
Our GFRC concrete furniture is designed for both outdoor and indoor use. The inclusion of glass fibres and resin makes the material more resilient to weathering while reducing weight. Like all natural materials, concrete will evolve with exposure to the elements.
To keep your furniture looking its best, we recommend regular cleaning with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners. Read more about caring for concrete furniture.
Rope Furniture
Our rope furniture features high-performance polypropylene (PP) rope, woven over strong and durable frames to create contemporary outdoor pieces. This rope-style weave is engineered for outdoor use, offering excellent resistance to moisture, UV rays, and wear. It brings a soft, tactile quality to furniture while maintaining strength and resilience. Learn more about rope furniture.
How to Care for Rope Furniture
Keeping your rope furniture clean will help it maintain both appearance and performance. Wipe up any spills promptly. For spot cleaning, apply a mist of mild soapy water and gently blot with a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to air dry.
Avoid abrasive cloths, scrubbing, or high-pressure hosing, as these can damage the rope surface. Also, take care to keep sharp objects away from the woven areas to prevent fraying. Read more about caring for rope furniture.
Outdoor Wicker
While traditionally “wicker” refers to a weaving technique rather than a material, our outdoor wicker furniture is crafted using high-performance synthetic fibres. We use premium polyethylene materials from trusted brands like Ecolene®, engineered for outdoor use. These synthetic wicker fibres are UV-resistant, weatherproof, and exceptionally durable, offering the look and texture of natural wicker with none of the maintenance concerns. Learn more about outdoor wicker furniture.
How to Care for Outdoor Wicker Furniture
Our synthetic wicker is designed to perform in harsh outdoor environments with minimal upkeep. It resists fading, cracking, and exposure to pool water, sunscreens, and other everyday outdoor elements.
To clean, simply use a soft brush or cloth with mild soapy water, followed by a gentle rinse with clean water. Avoid abrasive materials or high-pressure washing. Occasional cleaning will keep your furniture looking its best for years to come. Read more about caring for outdoor wicker furniture.
QuickDry® Cushion Foam
QuickDry® foam is a specially engineered material that's widely favoured for outdoor cushions due to its superior performance in wet environments. The open-cell structure of the foam allows water to drain out quickly, significantly reducing the drying time compared to traditional foams. This makes it ideal for outdoor environments where cushions may be exposed to rain or moisture. Despite its open structure, QuickDry foam does not compromise on comfort. It is soft yet resilient, providing excellent support and comfort. Learn more about QuickDry® cushion foam.
Sunbrella® Outdoor Fabric
Sunbrella® fabric is used by Design Warehouse for cushion covers, umbrellas and most of our fabric products. It is a very consistent and high durability outdoor rated fabric that has inherent resistances to outdoor environmental conditions. Learn more about Sunbrella® outdoor fabric material.
How to care for your Sunbrella® outdoor fabric
Sunbrella® fabric is a perfect solution for year round outdoor furniture; we use it on cushions, pillows, canopies and umbrellas. It is rot, fade and mildew resistant and looks amazing for a long time. Read more about caring for Sunbrella® outdoor fabric.
Agora® Outdoor Fabric
Crafted in Spain, Agora® outdoor fabric offers unrivalled excellence for outdoor furniture. Its 100% solution-dyed acrylic ensures vibrant and long-lasting beauty. Agora® is water, stain, and mould resistant, providing UV protection and easy maintenance. With exceptional durability and comfort, it's perfect for pets and kids. Experience the ultimate in outdoor fabric with Agora®. Available with our deep seating collections, dining and relaxing chairs and some umbrella canopies. Learn more about Agora® outdoor fabric.
How to care for your Agora® outdoor fabric
Discover the exceptional durability of Agora® outdoor fabric. Its water repellent finish resists stains and simplifies cleaning. For regular maintenance, use mild soap and water. Stubborn stains can be treated with a diluted bleach solution. Periodic disinfection ensures long-lasting beauty. Read more about caring for Agora® fabric.
Stainless Steel Furniture
We use 316 marine-grade stainless steel — the highest quality in outdoor furniture — for its strength, sleek appearance, and resistance to corrosion. Unlike lower grades (302 or 304), 316 stainless is ideal for New Zealand’s coastal and humid conditions, offering durability and a refined finish that pairs beautifully with teak, Batyline® mesh, and more. Learn more about stainless steel furniture.
How to Care for Stainless Steel Furniture
While 316 stainless steel is highly weather-resistant, regular cleaning will keep it looking its best. Wipe with a soft cloth and pH-neutral soap, then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and abrasive cleaners. In salt-air environments, consider periodic use of 3M™ stainless steel cleaner for polishing and added protection. Read more about caring for stainless steel furniture.
Plastic Furniture
Our plastic outdoor furniture is made from high-performance polypropylene and polycarbonate resins. These lightweight materials are UV-treated, durable, and ideal for both residential and commercial use. Their smooth finishes and modern designs make them practical and stylish. Learn more about plastic outdoor furniture material..
How to Care for Plastic Furniture
Polypropylene furniture can be cleaned with mild soap and water or a gentle cleanser for tougher dirt. Polycarbonate furniture should be wiped with a soft cloth and mild soap — avoid abrasives to protect its surface finish. Both materials require minimal maintenance and are suitable for full-time outdoor use. Read more about caring for plastic furniture.
