Woodard wrought iron. . .it's an "investment", but I bought mine in 1977 and it is still in good shape. Have painted it a couple times (last time was this summer). Leave it out year round. . . cushions I bring in during really bad weather (snow/ice, protracted rain).

My mom got two 'outdoor wicker' rockers, which seem to be made from plastic. They were fine on the porch, but started to fall apart when she moved them out on the deck....

We bought O. W. Lee wrought iron oudoor furniture. They have sat out in the CA sun for 4 years and still look brand new. They have sunbrella cushions which also stay out year round and they also still look brand new. We can get high winds in our area, so the heavier wrought iron furniture won't get blown around.

We have Lane all weather wicker rockers, Woodard wrought iron chaises, Tropitone 84" table and 6 sling chairs, Brown Jordan sofa, and North Cape rocker/gliders, ranging in age from 15 years to 3 years. The North Cape chairs are by far the most comfortable. We did not buy their cushions, though, had ours custom made locally of Sunbrella that was already in use on the adjacent screened porch. The Lane Venture chairs have always been under a covered porch but the others have been out in the elements and have held up very well. I think if you buy a reputable, nicer quality brand it will be with you for many years.

I see these beautiful outdoor rooms and I wonder if the BEAUTY lasts beyond the first rain storm or a week with out use? Spiders, dirt,mold..I am thinking if I ever buy new I will go Big Box CHEAP and not expect them to last more than a couple of seasons. By then they will need freshening anyway.

We have three "sets" of outdoor furniture. The first is a vintage table and four chairs, Meadowcraft or similar (metal mesh, etc.). It's probably 50+ years old and will survive the apocalypse. It sits outside, uncovered, all year long. The second is a cheaper set of two chairs and a table in whatever quality of all-weather wicker one would find at Lowe's. I'm surprised how well it has held up over 7+ years outside year-round. Last year we splurged (well, "splurged" is relative as it was deeply discounted) on a Brown-Jordan metal/mesh fabric table and chairs for our covered back patio area. It's beautiful stuff, but I'd be afraid to leave it fully exposed because of the fabric.

Is your patio covered? It makes a big difference. If it's uncovered, I'd go with wrought iron.

Our porch is covered, but we're in a very harsh climate (Mountain West). I have wood rockers, wood table and chairs, and some wicker. I cover the wicker and the table in the winter, but it all holds up fine, other than repainting every couple of years. I had wrought iron, but I didn't like how heavy it was, especially the chairs for the table.

We have a Target small 4 seater dining table and chairs set made of an aluminum type metal. It has lasted years. The top is tile and fit standard tiles so I purchased some nicer handcrafted tiles at Home Depot and donated the cheapies that came with the set. I do change out the cushions every other year and every year if I leave them out during storms. This set is 10 years old and looks like it did day one. This set is lightweight easy to move and rust free. My 90 lb dog sits on it all too often and I always have to bleach it before we use it but it is still sturdy.

For loungers I bought cheap Target mesh chaise so I don't freak out when kids get out of the pool and sit with sunscreen and drip on them:).

I also bought an inexpensive teak knockoff that didn't last a season without bowing and cracking despite lack of use. It was nyatoh wood, I don't recommend this route.

Best of luck and lots on clearance now:)

Great Lakes region, uncovered patio. My aunt and uncle bought a black iron set for their covered terrace in the early 60s. Gave it to another aunt and uncle in the 70s who painted it white for their uncovered patio. They gave it to us in the 90s when we had it painted grey (electrostatic ally). We should probably touch it up where the chair arms hit the table when we tuck the chairs in for the winter, but it's still looking great. Especially after I washed it yesterday!

I love the look of outdoor wicker, too. But in my area, they would look awful with all the dust, pollen, and spider webs.

I've had a Plow and Hearth all weather wicker chase for years that has sat out under the privet arch in the summer time the entire season day and night, brought in around October. Never had any problems with it, condition is still great, maybe the very bottom of the legs get dirty now and then esp. if it has rained but no biggie. I see no signs of sun fading either, tho it does not sit in full sun. Perhaps that might be a factor. Plus this piece was expensive so it probably makes a difference in the quality of the resin wicker.

I use an aluminum "wrought iron look" table and chairs outside, without cover, and it is probably 12yrs. old now. It also stays out all summer long until Fall. This however will get white patches all over the top and in the carvings, I think it's called "salts"(?). It will clean up using a plastic scratch pad tho. In recent years it has acquire a green cast, most likely because it sits in a half shade/half sunny area. That also will clean off but with more elbow grease but I'm lazy. Sort of makes it look antique! ha.

The Wicker Furniture store that we work w/ told us years ago that they found the resin wicker to last about as long as regular wicker. That was many years ago.

That said, I acquired a free set of all weather wicker furniture. Patio chairs, table, love seat, 2 chairs and coffee table. They were already used when given to us. I've had them for a few yrs now outside in all weather every season. The only thing that I have noticed (aside from slightly becoming sunbleached) is unravelling on a chair & the nation table. Not too bad for something that I have no idea how old they truly are. I just bought replacement cushions this year. That was my only hard part. Finding something that would fit. I ended up compromising size but not style. I am quite happy!

Thank you everyone for your input. We DO have a lot of dust, pollen, spiders etc. that would get in every nook and cranny of the wicker. I really think I'd be stressed about that, in addition to the fear of the elements ruining it! I wish our budget allowed for quality wrought iron, but it's not there right now. At least I now know of brands to look at if/when the time comes. We decided on the Gatewood Furniture. The cushions will be stored in a deck box, and it looks as though the frames can be easily cleaned when necessary. Thanks again!!

Teak. Ours is over 25 years old and still solid and lovely :)

We have ancient pvc pipe furniture that has braved the Chicago winters and almost looks new. I hate to get rid of it. It's super comfy and you can hose it off. Thinking about having new cushions made to up date it.

It looks like you made a good choice. Most of our patio furniture is teak, and we live close to a teak warehouse, making it easy to buy. We have inexpensive wrought iron dining chairs that we have kept, and we have Sunbrella fabric cushions on them, which we bring inside on the rare days that it rains. Our pergola is made of cedar (I think), and we put a redwood slat roof on it, as we need the shade (and so do our bromeliads).