Outdoor Nook Buying Guide
Wicker vs. Aluminum Outdoor Recliners: Which Is Right for Your Backyard?
Choosing outdoor furniture is an investment in how you'll relax, entertain, and enjoy your outdoor space.
01 — At a Glance
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Wicker | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Overall look | Warm, textured, traditional | Sleek, streamlined, modern |
| Maintenance | Rinse with water; avoid pressure washers | Wipe clean; virtually no upkeep |
| Rust resistance | Rust-proof aluminum frame, HDPE weave | Rust-proof, powder-coated aluminum |
| Weight | Moderate — substantial, grounded feel | Lighter — easier to reposition |
| Modern home fit | Good, in lighter tones | Excellent — natural match |
| Traditional home fit | Excellent — natural match | Good, with softer fabrics |
| Best for | Cozy, layered outdoor rooms | Clean-lined pool & patio spaces |
Choose Wicker If —
You like warmth and texture, or you prefer a traditional outdoor room that feels layered and lived-in.
Choose Aluminum If —
You like modern architecture, or you want the simplest maintenance routine possible.
02 — Design Style
Which one will actually look better in my backyard?
Both materials are built the same way underneath — rust-proof aluminum frames, high-resilience foam, outdoor-rated fabric. The visual language is where they part ways.
Traditional Warmth
Handwoven wicker brings texture, depth, and a natural, collected-over-time feel — at home on brick patios, wood decks, and gardens.
Modern Clarity
Powder-coated aluminum keeps lines clean and the silhouette light — a natural match for contemporary exteriors, glass railings, and poolside decks.
03 — Built to Last
Durability and maintenance
☔ Rain
Every frame is rust-proof aluminum. Even left uncovered, wicker and aluminum both shrug off a passing storm — though the built-in cover keeps cushions fully dry.
☀️ UV exposure
The weave carries UV protection to resist fading, and outdoor-rated fabrics are engineered to hold their color through direct sun.
🧽 Cleaning
Rinse with a garden hose — that's it. Avoid pressure washers on woven wicker to protect the finish over time.
Patent-Pending
The built-in all-weather cover
Every Outdoor Nook recliner, loveseat, and sofa ships with a cover built into the piece itself. Deploy it in seconds when you're done relaxing, and your cushions stay pristine — rain, shine, or salt air.
04 — Find Your Fit
Which Outdoor Nook collection fits you?
I prefer wicker
Keywest
Premium light brown wicker with an easygoing, coastal-casual feel.
Newport
Our most versatile wicker recliner, with matching sofas and loveseats.
Malibu II
Handwoven wicker over rust-proof aluminum, in Portland Stone.
I prefer modern aluminum
Shoreline
Sleek aluminum frames paired with plush Indigo Azure fabric — a coastal-inspired take on modern outdoor seating.
Huntington
Rust-resistant aluminum with plush Light Oat fabric — refined and effortlessly versatile.
05 — Why Outdoor Nook
We only make one thing: outdoor motion furniture, done properly.
Outdoor Nook specializes in swivel glider recliners, matching loveseats, sofas, and tables — every piece designed to recline, swivel, and glide, and every piece built around the same patent-pending in-built all-weather cover.
— Rust-proof aluminum frames, powder coated
— High-resilience foam, outdoor-rated fabric, 300 lb capacity
— Free continental delivery, 5–7 days
— 14-day risk-free trial and no-hassle returns
06 — Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
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Powder-coated aluminum can warm up under direct sun, but you'll rarely notice — the frame is covered by cushioning at every contact point, and the finish stays cool to the touch faster than bare metal furniture once shaded.
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The HDPE weave itself won't absorb water or rot, and it's handwoven onto a rust-proof aluminum frame underneath. Cushions are the part that benefits from cover — which is why every piece ships with one built in.
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Both hold up well near salt air thanks to rust-proof aluminum frames. Aluminum's simpler surface makes rinsing salt residue slightly faster, but wicker performs well too as long as it's rinsed regularly.
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With the same rust-proof frame underneath both, longevity comes down to care more than material. Regular rinsing and using the built-in cover during off-season are the biggest factors either way.
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Aluminum is the lower-maintenance of the two — a wipe-down is usually enough. Wicker needs an occasional rinse with a hose, and pressure washers should be avoided on the weave.
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Either works well year-round given the shared rust-proof frame — deploy the built-in all-weather cover during extended stretches of rain, snow, or intense sun to protect the cushions.
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Look at your home's exterior lines first. Clean, contemporary architecture generally pairs with aluminum's streamlined silhouette; brick, wood, and more traditional exteriors tend to feel most complete with wicker's texture.
07 — Next Step
Choosing outdoor furniture should feel comfortable too.
There's no wrong answer here — just the material that matches how you actually want your backyard to feel. Browse both collections, or take the guide with you.