If you think wicker furniture is made of the thin, woody material known as wicker, then you might be in for a surprise. There is no such material as wicker. Wicker is actually the process of weaving reeds and other materials this into furniture. It also refers to the finished furniture as a whole. Wicker furniture can actually be made of anything so long as it’s woven in the traditional way.
Traditional wicker furniture was made from things like rattan reeds and even man-made twisted paper fiber, which produces a less expensive piece of furniture than those made from natural woody materials. Today’s wicker furniture is often synthetic, made from materials like PVC or polyethylene. The synthetic resins are woven in the traditional way to create the wicker furniture and to create a much longer lasting product.
Many people confuse wicker with something like rattan garden furniture. Or they believe that rattan and wicker are the same thing. Rattan reeds are often used in traditional wicker furniture, but rattan is actually a type of wood found in the rain forest. It is often used as the base of a chair that other materials are woven around to create wicker furniture.
Wicker furniture is expensive because the process of weaving it is time-consuming and meticulous, and furniture made from natural materials typically cost more than furniture made from synthetic materials. If you have traditional wicker furniture made with things like paper fiber or rattan, you won’t want to use it anywhere it can get wet or fade from the sun. Antique wicker furniture, especially, should be used and stored with care.
If your furniture is damaged, you can take it to be re-caned and repaired but often this is a very costly thing to do. If you’re looking to buy new furniture, the different synthetic wicker pieces, which are still expensive, will probably be your best bet for long-lasting, attractive furniture.