Synthetic rattan furniture is becoming more and more popular in restaurants and resorts around the world and has no shortage of fans but within it lurks a danger that many companies overlook. Synthetic is ideal as it offers a lightweight easy to maintain solution. To clean it, just wash it! No more maintenance required. It’s made from aluminum frames so an army of staff to move it is not required. So what’s the problem?

Well, the problem that is becoming more common is all about price. You see when you set out to purchase your synthetic you will more often than not be presented with two options. A cheap price that looks very enticing for that shiny new synthetic or the more expensive option. And the question asked is, why bother going for the expensive when the cheaper option looks just the same but 1/3 off.

And this is the mistake that many end up regretting. In synthetic furniture as I have seen many times. Cheap means CHEAP!

The Tale of Two Hotels
Take the following scenario. In the lush sands of Dubai, there were two hotels. Hotel A and Hotel B.  Both decide to upgrade their furniture to this exciting new synthetic furniture everyone is taking about. Hotel A get several quotes and are faced with two options. A cheaper option and more expensive option. After a lengthy discussion a decision is made to opt for the cheaper option. They just can’t justify the 1/3 price difference with the more expensive synthetic.

Hotel B on the other hand, want long lasting and quality furniture in their resort and getting warranties for the synthetic, opt for the more expensive option.

18 months later, Hotel A is getting worrying signs with its synthetic furniture. The weave has started to break down and it’s all peeling off. And more worrying is the fact that it’s happening to all 150 sets!

PVC Vs PE
You see synthetic wicker is a man made material designed for outdoor use. There are two types of PVC and PE (polyethylene). The rule of thumb is stay away from PVC. After 18 months, PVC in the hot gulf countries start to peel. PVC cannot handle the intense hot conditions of the gulf. The cheap price is just not worth it when you have to replace it all after 18 months.

This is something that good quality Synthetic Polyethylene can handle. PE is more expensive but will last much longer than PVC. Make sure that when you buy, it has a warranty. Good PE synthetic will have a 3 year warranty. Companies like Viro and Rehau are reputable  companies and this is the synthetic Falaknaz the Warehouse use in our synthetic furniture.

So choosing the cheaper option in synthetic furniture really can be the biggest mistake you make. Know what your buying!

Malta Set with Cushions

As part of our business, we supply alot of customers, hotels and restaurants with synthetic furniture. It provides a modern and stylish alternative to Teak furniture and can be easily customized to suit a customers needs. It is no surprise then that its popularity has increased over the years.

In Dubai where the summers can be extremely punishing on garden furniture, synthetic presents a excellent solution for someone wanting to relax in the garden in the cooler months.

At this point the buyer has a multitude of options available. The following is a list of tips that any buyer should look out for when considering synthetic furniture.

1. Look for a company who uses a synthetic material with a warranty. We use Rehau and Viro both reputed  companies who guarantee their synthetic against fading and degrading for 3 years. Although more expensive, one knows that the furniture will last. Go down the cheaper route and in 18months in the extreme gulf weather conditions, it could disintegrate – I have seen it happen.
2. Get confirmation from the company from whom you buy that their synthetic frames have 360 degree welding. The frame of the synthetic is welded aluminium. Falaknaz the Warehouse ensures frames are welded ensuring that the frames are strong and sturdy. A common shortcut is to spot weld the joints. This saves money, time but not strength. The customer will find their furniture may break 12 months down the line.
3. The aluminium frame will deterioate by oxidization or known as white rust if left unpainted so make sure you only buy furniture with aluminium frames which are painted with car body paint or powder coated.
4. The cushions make up a large part of synthetic furniture and it’s important to know what you are getting. How durable are the cushions? Will the colours fade? What advice on types of Fabrics? It goes without saying that you get what you pay for with the cushions. Its worth spending a little bit extra to make sure that the cushions are good quality. It would be upsetting to find mould over your 3 month old cushions. We can custom make the cushions for you at our local factory in Dubai.

Stephen Foot is the Marketing Manager for Falaknaz the Warehouse in Dubai. You can visit the site at www.falaknazthewarehouse.com