You buy a piece of furniture for your living room, and its color starts fading in just three months, or the frame starts wobbling. Sounds familiar?
The sun and hot climates in the UAE can be harsh and can destroy low-quality furniture in just one season. It is not your fault, but it’s the climate that matters.
You can win this battle if you exactly know which furniture to look for, and in this article, we will provide a detailed guide that helps you to choose furniture materials UAE for longevity, comfort, and style.
Understanding the Big Three Weather Factors:
Before choosing the best furniture materials in the UAE, first you need to understand the factors of the three types of weather to know what your furniture is fighting against every single day.
Intense UV Rays:
There is no doubt that the sun in the UAE is very powerful and just doesn’t make you feel hot, but its UV rays also affect your furniture; the color will fade, the wood will crack, and the bright red color will be pink in just six months.
High Humidity:
In summer, all you need is extra care if you are living in coastal cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, especially due to high humidity, as it brings two major problems: rust for metal and mold for wood or fabric; if the material absorbs moisture, then it grows unpleasant surprises.
Extreme Heat:
When the temperature reaches 45 to 50 degrees, cheap glue melts instantly and low-grade plastic deforms; even the outdoor materials fail when the heat is relentless.
Now that you are aware of the major problems, come to a solution.
Best Materials for Outdoor Furniture (The Durability Champions)
Outdoor furniture is always under the attack of sun, dust, humidity, and rain; everything hits it first, and it takes the biggest beating.
So let’s discuss the biggest champions that will help you to choose the right Furniture materials UAE
Powder-Coated Aluminum:
Among all powerful champions, if you select only one thing, then make it first.
The biggest advantage of aluminum is that it is rust-free, but raw aluminum usually looks dull, so here is the idea of powder-coated aluminum, a baked layer of color protection, to keep it safe from scratches, UV rays, and salt spray.
Whether you are looking for furniture for your balcony or poolside patio, powder-coated aluminum is your best friend due to its strong, lightweight, and virtually maintenance-free properties.
Synthetic PE Rattan (All-Weather Wicker)
Natural rattan looks more beautiful, but according to the UAE weather, it cracks within the month.
Polyethylene rattan looks like natural wicker, but it is designed especially for extreme weather to handle UV rays, humidity, and dust. Plus, it is easy to clean- just hose it down.
Teak Wood:
It is the king of outdoor woods. Why? Because it contains the natural oils that make it resistant to water and rot and deter insects, no chemical treatment is needed.
The only maintenance it requires is a yearly coating to maintain its golden color; otherwise, it turns silver-grey over time. But it lasts for decades; the only drawback you could say is it’s expensive, but consider it an investment.
Marine-Grade Stainless Steel: (For Beach Homes)
Are you living near the beach or any coastal area? Then let us be aware that your furniture has to fight with an extra enemy; the salt spray regularly eats the stainless steel as breakfast.
The best solution is to use marine-grade stainless steel, especially designed for homes near the sea. By adding molybdenum, it is resistant to salt corrosion and makes the furniture durable.
Best Materials for Indoor Furniture:
Indoor furniture also faces multiple challenges, but the main one is AC-induced dryness.
The AC runs almost year-round in the UAE, and as we know, it pulls the moisture out of the air, and dryness can crack the cheap wood and damage certain fabrics as well.
Solid Woods vs MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
To be honest, the MDF and particle boards look beautiful in the showrooms, but in the extreme and humid weather of the UAE, they are not a good choice, as they absorb humidity and swell and wrap in the AC and dry them out. They are not friends with this climate.
Solid Wood (Oak, Walnut, Teak, Mahogany)
One of the best options handles the temperature shift much better; it breathes, and with proper care such as dusting and yearly oily coating, it lasts for generations.
Want a budget-friendly and durable option? Then choose plywood with a hardwood veneer, better than MDF and more affordable than solid wood.
Natural Stone (Marble and Granite)
Let us tell you a secret that natural stone is the perfect choice for the UAE climate.
The best part is it stays cool naturally, and that is why there is no more rust or wrap, so it stays the same as it looked ten years back.
Pro Tip: Just seal the furniture once a year to prevent it from staining.
Leather vs Fabrics:
Leather is comfortable and easy to clean, but what about in summer? It is not a suitable option as it sticks to bare skin. In contrast, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or performance fabrics are much better options, as they let air circulate, and your skin will thank you later.
If you like leather, then go for semi-aniline or protected leather, as its light coating prevents it from absorbing oil and sweat.
Pro-Tips: Extending the Life of the Furniture
Here are some habits that can double the life of your furniture materials UAE:
- Buy breathable and UV-resistant covers for furniture that is exposed to the sun year-round, even the champions need a break from the sun.
- Apply teak oil or furniture wax once a year
- Wipe off the salt spray from the furniture if you are living near the sea.
- Vacuum the fabric weekly and clean the spills instantly
Conclusion:
Choosing the right furniture materials UAE is not just about looking, but it is an investment in your comfort and wallet. If you buy cheap, then you will buy twice, but when you choose smart buying, then you will buy once. Now you know what to look for when you are selecting the furniture in the UAE climate: For outdoors furniture: aluminium powder-coated, For indoor: solid wood material, For beach homes: marine-grade steel material
Are you ready to see these materials in person? Then visit the Asghar Furniture showroom; we build furniture according to the UAE climate because we live here too.
FAQs:
1- Would you recommend using indoor furniture on my balcony if I cover it with durable covers for a change?
Not at all, the covers can protect the furniture somehow from UV rays, but the material is not designed to handle the outdoor dust and humidity. Your furniture’s life will be affected by exposing it directly to the outdoors.
2- How long do outdoor furniture cushions last?
The duration is not the same for all outdoor furniture; it varies depending on the quality. If you have high-quality, durable furniture for the outdoors, then cushions can last up to 3 to 5 years with proper care, but if you have low-quality material, then you may need to replace them every season.
