Can You Leave Outdoor Furniture Outside All Year?
Most people assume they can leave their outdoor furniture outside all year, but the material it’s made from determines how well it will hold up. Rain, freeze-thaw cycles, humidity, and UV exposure affect each material differently, and the gap between a weather-resistant outdoor furniture choice and a high-maintenance one is significant.
Below, we’ve broken down where each material type lands and what you can expect from the outdoor furniture it’s made from.
Grade A Teak: Year-Round Performance
Grade A teak is one of the few outdoor furniture materials that genuinely handles year-round exposure without asking much in return. Its natural oils repel moisture, it resists warping and cracking through temperature swings, and if left untreated, it develops a silver-gray patina that many homeowners actually prefer.
Teak furniture, like lounge chairs and tables, can stay outside in virtually any climate, which makes it a top option for anyone looking for an exceptionally low-maintenance outdoor setup.
Aluminum: Weatherproof Frames, Vulnerable Cushions
Aluminum outdoor furniture frames hold up well against moisture and rust, putting them close to the weatherproof end of the spectrum. The catch is the cushions: fabric and foam break down quickly with prolonged exposure to rain and sun, so those need to come inside when the weather turns.
Secure the frame against wind, bring the cushions in, and aluminum largely takes care of itself.
Wicker and Rattan: Beautiful, But Not Built for Wet Winters
Wicker and rattan earned their popularity on covered patios and sunrooms, and that's genuinely where they perform best. Prolonged moisture exposure causes the weaves to loosen, the material to soften, and the frame to deteriorate faster than nearly any other outdoor furniture type.
Under a covered structure, it holds up reasonably well, but left fully exposed through a wet winter, it won't come out the other side intact.
Nonteak Wood: High Maintenance in All the Wrong Conditions
Cedar, pine, acacia, and eucalyptus all face a steeper challenge outside year-round than teak does. While these woods can make sturdy indoor furniture, they absorb moisture without consistent sealing or sanding, which leads to cracking, warping, and rot at a pace most homeowners don't anticipate.
Keeping nonteak wood patio furniture in good condition through the seasons is possible, but it demands a maintenance routine most people aren't prepared to stick with.
Poly and Plastic: Tough Today, UV-Vulnerable Over Time
Poly furniture and high-density plastic handle moisture and temperature swings well, which makes them a practical, low-maintenance option in the near term. What surfaces over time, however, is UV degradation.
Extended sun exposure causes colors to fade and the material to become brittle, particularly in climates with intense, prolonged summers. Pieces kept in shaded areas or covered when not in use last considerably longer than those left in full sun season after season.
