Teak vs Aluminium Garden Furniture: Which Should You Choose?

Teak and aluminium are the two materials you'll find most often in high-end garden furniture, and for good reason. Both can live outside all year in the UK. But they look, feel and age very differently. Here's how to decide which suits your garden, or whether you should have both.

Quick answer: choose teak if you want a warm, natural, very stable dining table and don't mind it silvering or an occasional clean; choose powder-coated aluminium if you want the lowest maintenance, lighter pieces and modern lounge seating. Many people combine the two, such as aluminium frames with teak tops.

Teak at a glance

Teak is a dense tropical hardwood packed with natural oils that repel water and insects. It's been used for boat decks for centuries for exactly that reason.

Pros

• Naturally weather-resistant, without chemical treatment.

• Warm to the touch, even on cooler days.

• Weathers to a soft silver-grey, or keeps its honey colour with a protector.

• Heavy and stable, so it stays put in strong wind.

• Timeless look that suits period and country houses.

Cons

• Heavier to move around the garden.

• Needs an occasional clean, and a protector if you want to keep the golden colour.

• Quality varies; look for plantation-grown, traceable, grade-A teak.

Aluminium at a glance

Powder-coated aluminium is a lightweight metal finished with a baked-on coating. It's the material behind most contemporary garden furniture.

Pros

• Won't rust, rot or warp.

• Very low maintenance: a wipe with soapy water is usually enough.

• Light and easy to rearrange or store.

• Allows slim, modern shapes and a range of colours.

• Ideal for cushioned lounge sets and modular sofas.

Cons

• Light pieces can move in high winds unless weighted or positioned sensibly.

• Gets hot in direct sun and cold in winter.

• Cheap aluminium with thin coatings can chip. Quality of the powder coat matters.

Side-by-side comparison

• UK weather: teak is excellent, as its natural oils resist rain; aluminium is excellent too and won't rust.

• Maintenance: teak needs a clean 2–3 times a year, plus an optional protector; aluminium just needs an occasional wipe down.

• Weight: teak is heavy and very stable; aluminium is light and easy to move.

• Feel: teak is warm and natural; aluminium is cool and smooth.

• How it ages: teak turns silver-grey unless treated; aluminium stays the same colour.

• Style: teak is classic and timeless; aluminium is clean, modern and comes in more colours.

• Best for: teak suits dining tables, benches and traditional gardens; aluminium suits lounge sets, modern terraces and rooftops.

Which should you choose?

Choose teak if you love natural materials, have a traditional or country-style home, want the most stable dining table possible, and enjoy furniture that changes character over time.

Choose aluminium if you want minimal upkeep, have a contemporary home or a roof terrace, like to rearrange the garden, or want deep-cushioned lounge seating.

Or choose both

Some of the best modern garden furniture combines the two: an aluminium frame for strength and low maintenance, with teak where your hands and plates touch it.

The Barlow Tyrie Aura range does exactly this, with slim aluminium frames and solid teak tops. Its extending table and round table are two of our most popular pieces.

For lounging, the all-aluminium Barlow Tyrie Around modular seating pairs a powder-coated frame with weatherproof Sunbrella cushions. It makes an easy-care partner to an Aura teak-topped dining table.

Learn more about both ranges in our Barlow Tyrie guide to models, materials and care.

Caring for teak and aluminium

• Teak: wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush along the grain; avoid pressure washers.

• Aluminium: wipe with mild soapy water; never use abrasive pads.

• Both: store cushions dry over winter, or use fitted covers.

More advice in our garden furniture maintenance tips.

Frequently asked questions

Which lasts longer in the UK, teak or aluminium garden furniture?

Both can stay outside all year in the UK for many years. Teak's natural oils resist rain and rot, and aluminium can't rust. How long a piece lasts depends more on quality than on the material: look for plantation-grown, grade-A teak and a thick, well-applied powder coat on aluminium.

Can teak and aluminium garden furniture be left outside over winter?

Yes. Both materials can be left outside through a British winter. Clean them at the end of the season, store cushions somewhere dry, and use breathable fitted covers if you want to keep them cleaner for spring.

Do I need to oil teak garden furniture?

No. Quality teak doesn't need oil outdoors, and oil can encourage mildew. Wash it two or three times a year with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Apply a teak protector only if you want to keep the honey colour; otherwise it weathers to a silver-grey.

Does aluminium garden furniture get hot in the sun?

Aluminium frames can get warm in strong direct sun and feel cool on chilly days, whereas teak stays comfortable to the touch. Cushions, sling seats and teak tops on aluminium frames avoid most of this.

Find your garden furniture at Vico Lifestyle

Whichever material you choose, Vico Lifestyle supplies luxury garden furniture across the UK, with free delivery on our garden furniture. Browse our garden dining sets and sofa and lounge sets, or read our round-up of the best luxury garden furniture for UK gardens.

Still undecided? Contact us and we'll help you choose the right pieces for your space.