Teak vs Aluminum vs MGP vs Wicker: How to Choose the Right Patio Furniture Material

Standing in a patio furniture showroom with four different material options in front of you can be overwhelming. Teak, cast aluminum, Marine Grade Polymer, wicker — each has real advantages and real trade-offs. At Sno-Haus, we carry all of these materials, so we have no reason to steer you toward one over another. Here's an honest comparison to help you make the right choice for your lifestyle.

Grade A Teak

Best for: Customers who want natural beauty, warmth, and a generational investment.

Teak is the premium natural wood option. Grade A teak — the only grade we carry at Sno-Haus — is dense, oil-rich, and naturally resistant to weather, rot, and insects. It ages beautifully to a silver-gray patina or can be maintained in its original golden color with annual treatment.

Teak furniture from quality manufacturers like Kingsley Bate and Three Birds Casual lasts 20 to 30 years with minimal care. The trade-off is price — teak is the most expensive material option — and it does require occasional cleaning and optional oiling if you want to maintain the original color.

Cast Aluminum

Best for: Customers who want classic styling at a moderate price point.

Cast aluminum furniture is lightweight, rust-proof, and available in a wide range of traditional and transitional styles. Powder-coated finishes protect against the elements, and the material doesn't require the same level of care as natural wood.

It's a practical choice for dining sets and accent pieces. We carry both directly imported cast aluminum collections and branded lines. The trade-off: cast aluminum can feel lighter and less substantial than teak or MGP, and the powder-coat finish can chip over time in harsh environments.

Marine Grade Polymer (MGP)

Best for: Customers who want zero maintenance and maximum durability.

As we've covered in detail elsewhere on our blog, MGP is the ultimate low-maintenance material. It can't rust, rot, crack, fade, or splinter. Leave it out all winter with zero consequences.

Telescope Casual is our primary MGP brand, and the quality is exceptional. The trade-off: it's a synthetic material, so it doesn't have the natural warmth and beauty of teak. But for practicality and longevity, nothing else comes close.

All-Weather Wicker

Best for: Customers who love the classic wicker look without the maintenance of natural rattan.

All-weather wicker — synthetic resin woven over aluminum frames — gives you the aesthetic of traditional wicker with significantly better durability. It resists moisture, UV, and temperature changes better than natural wicker.

The trade-off: it's not as durable as teak or MGP in very harsh coastal environments, and the weave can be harder to clean thoroughly.

How to Decide

Ask yourself three questions. First, how much maintenance are you willing to do? If the answer is none, MGP is your material. Second, how important is natural beauty and warmth? If you love the look of real wood and are willing to do minimal upkeep, teak is worth every penny. Third, what's your budget? Cast aluminum gives you the most style options at a moderate price point.

Our team at Sno-Haus can walk you through all of these options in person and help you find the best match for your space, lifestyle, and budget.

Visit our showrooms in Greenvale or Huntington Station — we have all four materials on display and a team that knows them inside and out.

Frequently Asked Questions