Glossary of Wicker Terms

WICKER AND RATTAN GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Rattan – Rattan a vine that grows in the mountains of the Philippines and Southeast Asia where the rainfall is almost 100 inches every year. A very robust plant, it can easily grow to heights of 500 ft or more and is generally harvested after the vines are between 7-10 years old. Rattan has been woven into furniture, rugs, decorations, bowls, and other items all the way back to ancient Egyptian times. The trunk is the portion that is used. The outer core is removed and the strong inner fibers inside, which are easily pliable and able to be woven are used to create furniture and other items.

Cane Furniture- Cane furniture is just another term used for rattan furniture although most cane furniture is still hand woven. Skilled artisans attach the strands to the frame of the particular piece of furniture and then weave the strands together to form table tops, the backs of chairs, seats of chairs and more. The rattan core, which is the second layer of bark from the rattan vine is used in cane furniture. This gives the furniture an almost rustic look. Aside from rattan, sometimes cane furniture is created from reed and Ash wood splints.

Bamboo – Bamboo, which is also used in some natural furniture, is technically a huge cane grass which can be found in many tropical climates. The bushy plants can grow to heights of well over 100 feet and are harvested after 4-5 years of growth. Bamboo grows much faster than rattan, gaining up to three inches in just a single day. Bamboo is generally used in the frame of furniture, since it has a tensile strength that is greater than concrete. Yes! You read that right. It’s almost as strong as steel!

Sea grass – Sea Grass is not very strong, but can easily be wrapped and twisted around wire into a rope like material. This material is used in some natural furniture.

Synthetic Wicker / Synthetic Rattan – Both terms can be found on the Outdoor Furniture Shop website. They each refer to a type of material especially created to withstand the elements, 100% weatherproof, and UV tested against fading in direct sunlight. Where natural materials fail, synthetic wicker and synthetic rattan will hold up for years. Synthetic wicker and synthetic rattan is the only material that can hold up under all weather conditions.

Wicker – is not a material at all. Instead, the term wicker refers to a type or style of furniture woven from one of a variety of materials. Many people think of wicker and rattan as being the same thing, but wicker furniture can be created out of a variety of material, from rattan and cane to synthetic wicker. The word wicker defines the type of weaving.

Caring for Natural Wicker Furniture - Wicker is easy to clean; and can simply be dusted and wiped down with a soft cloth, a soft brush, or by carefully vacuuming the wicker with the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. A light furniture polish can be used once in a while to bring back some of its original luster, and if it becomes moldy or deeply soiled a warm, soapy water solution is recommended. When not in use, all natural wicker furniture should be brought indoors. Natural wicker is not able to hold up under any outdoor elements and will easily rot and sag if it is exposed to rain. Never use natural wicker in the direct sunlight for very long either, as it will become brittle and crack.

Caring for Synthetic Wicker Furniture - Synthetic wicker is stain proof, weather proof, and will never need anything except an occasional sponge with soap and water (and that’s only if it becomes very dusty or is exposed to debris that gets in between the weave). Otherwise, you can simply hose off your furniture and dry it with any towel. Synthetic wicker will always look great and you’ll never need to polish it or use any type of oils to bring back it’s luster. It will always look showroom new.