Material Dictionary
The ultimate reference guide to the specs, metals, and fabrics that separate cheap seating from generational furniture.
98 materials catalogued — new terms are discovered and defined automatically as products are added.
1
100% Fir Wood
100% Fir Wood is a solid softwood lumber sourced exclusively from fir trees. It offers moderate durability, making it suitable for indoor furniture. Fir wood has limited weather…
2
22D Powder-free sponge
22D powder-free sponge is a type of polyurethane foam with a specific density (22 kg/m³). It offers moderate durability and is not inherently weather-resistant, making it best…
A
Acacia
Acacia is a hardwood prized for its dense grain and natural durability, making it a resilient choice for furniture. It exhibits good weather resistance, suitable for both indoor…
Acacia Wood
Acacia wood is a dense, durable hardwood known for its natural resistance to moisture and insects, making it suitable for outdoor furniture. It offers good stability and scratch…
Adirondack
A style of outdoor lounge chair characterized by a slanted back, wide armrests, and a seat that sits higher in the front than the back. Originally made of wood, now commonly made…
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel is a versatile metal combining iron with other elements like chromium, nickel, or molybdenum to enhance strength and durability. It offers excellent resistance to…
Aluminized panels
Aluminized panels consist of a metal core, typically steel or aluminum, coated with a thin layer of aluminum. This coating provides enhanced corrosion and weather resistance…
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal frequently used in furniture construction, especially for outdoor pieces due to its excellent weather resistance. It is highly…
Aluminum (Powder-Coated)
A lightweight, naturally rust-proof metal widely used in premium outdoor furniture frames. Powder-coating adds a baked-on finish that prevents chipping and scratching.
B
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing grass, not wood, known for its exceptional tensile strength and flexibility, making it highly durable for furniture. It exhibits moderate weather…
Boucle
Boucle is a looped, textured upholstery fabric known for its distinctive nubby appearance. It offers moderate durability and breathability but is not weather-resistant and can be…
C
Cast Iron
Cast iron is a strong, heavy iron alloy cast into shape, prized for its exceptional durability and load-bearing capacity. Its inherent rust resistance makes it suitable for…
Cedar
Cedar is a softwood known for its natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect infestation. This durability makes it suitable for outdoor furniture where it exhibits good weather…
Ceramic
Ceramic is a hard, brittle material made from clay fired at high temperatures. Its exceptional durability and resistance to moisture, stains, and UV rays make it suitable for…
Chenille
Chenille is a soft, fuzzy fabric created with tightly twisted yarns, mimicking the texture of caterpillar down. It offers moderate durability and is susceptible to crushing and…
citronella_oil
Citronella oil is a natural essential oil derived from lemongrass varieties, primarily used as an insect repellent. It offers minimal durability and weather resistance in…
Concrete
Concrete, a composite material of cement, aggregate, and water, offers exceptional durability and strength for furniture. Its dense, non-porous nature provides excellent weather…
Cordierite
Cordierite is a magnesium aluminum silicate mineral, primarily used in high-temperature applications due to its excellent thermal shock resistance and durability. It is highly…
Corduroy
Corduroy is a durable fabric characterized by its distinct ribbed texture, created by cutting piles of yarn. It offers moderate wear resistance and breathability but is not…
Cotton
Cotton is a natural plant fiber commonly used in upholstery, upholstery fill, and bedding. It offers moderate durability and breathability but is susceptible to staining, mildew,…
E
E-coated Steel
E-coated steel is a corrosion-resistant metal alloy treated with an electrodeposition coating process. This creates a uniform, durable layer that offers excellent protection…
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood comprises wood fibers, particles, or veneers bonded with adhesives. It offers consistent strength and stability, often exceeding solid wood's warp and split…
Engineering Wood
Engineered wood is a composite material made from wood fibers, particles, or veneers bonded with adhesives. It offers good durability and dimensional stability, often…
F
Fabric
Fabric in furniture refers to woven or felted textiles used for upholstery. Durability varies greatly by fiber type and weave, impacting resistance to wear, fading, and moisture.…
Faux Leather
Faux leather, also known as synthetic leather or PU leather, is a textile material made to mimic the appearance and feel of genuine leather. It typically offers moderate…
Fir
Fir is a softwood lumber derived from coniferous trees. It offers moderate durability and is susceptible to rot and insect damage, making it less suitable for outdoor use without…
Fir Wood
Fir wood is a softwood derived from coniferous trees, commonly used for its lightweight and affordable properties. It offers moderate durability and is susceptible to moisture and…
Foam
Foam is a cellular polymer material made by trapping gas bubbles within a liquid or solid matrix. Its durability varies greatly by type, from soft upholstery foams to dense,…
G
Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel is carbon steel coated with a protective layer of zinc. This coating offers excellent corrosion and rust resistance, making it suitable for outdoor furniture and…
Gel Foam
Gel foam is a type of memory foam infused with gel beads or particles. This integration enhances cooling properties and can improve durability by preventing excessive heat…
Glass
Glass is a brittle, transparent or translucent amorphous solid formed from molten silica. It is highly resistant to weathering and chemical corrosion, making it suitable for…
H
Hardwood
Hardwood comes from deciduous trees and is known for its density and durability, making it suitable for high-traffic furniture. It generally offers good weather resistance but can…
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
A highly durable synthetic plastic polymer commonly used to make 'poly-lumber'. Extremely weather-resistant, zero-maintenance, and typically manufactured from recycled milk jugs…
HDPS
HDPS, or High-Density Polypropylene Sheet, is a durable, weather-resistant plastic commonly used in outdoor furniture. It offers excellent resistance to moisture, UV rays, and…
High Density Polyethylene
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a robust thermoplastic known for its exceptional durability and resistance to moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation. This makes it ideal for…
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a durable, rigid plastic known for its excellent resistance to moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation, making it suitable for outdoor furniture.…
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a rigid thermoplastic known for its excellent impact resistance and durability. It offers moderate weather resistance, making it suitable for…
High Impact Polystyrene(HIPS)
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a durable, rigid plastic known for its impact resistance and ease of forming. It offers moderate weather resistance, making it suitable for…
High-Density Foam
High-density foam is a resilient polyurethane material offering superior durability and support compared to lower-density alternatives. It resists compression and retains its…
I
Iron
Iron is a durable ferrous metal, known for its strength and ability to be cast or forged into intricate designs. While inherently strong, it is susceptible to rust and requires…
L
Leather
Leather is a durable, natural material made from animal hides, prized for its strength and ability to develop a patina over time. While generally resistant to wear, it requires…
Linen
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. It is known for its exceptional strength and durability, though it can wrinkle easily. While breathable and cool,…
M
Memory Foam
Memory foam, or viscoelastic polyurethane foam, is a dense, open-cell material that conforms to body heat and pressure. It offers good durability and support but is sensitive to…
Mesh
Mesh in furniture is typically a woven synthetic fabric, often polyester or nylon, known for its breathability and lightweight structure. It offers moderate durability and is…
Metal
Metal is a durable, inorganic solid characterized by its high tensile strength, conductivity, and luster. It offers excellent weather resistance, making it suitable for outdoor…
N
Nylon
Nylon is a strong, synthetic polymer prized for its exceptional durability and abrasion resistance, making it suitable for high-traffic furniture applications. It exhibits good…
P
PE Rattan
PE rattan is a synthetic material made from polyethylene, designed to mimic natural rattan. It offers excellent durability and weather resistance, making it suitable for outdoor…
Pine
Pine is a softwood derived from coniferous trees, widely used in furniture construction. Its durability varies by species but is generally moderate, with a tendency to dent or…
Pine Wood
Pine wood is a softwood sourced from coniferous trees, commonly used in furniture due to its affordability. While relatively soft and prone to dents, it offers moderate…
Plastic
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material characterized by its moldability. Known for its durability and often excellent weather resistance, plastic furniture is generally…
Plastic Straw Rug
A plastic straw rug, often made from woven polypropylene or PVC, offers moderate durability and good weather resistance, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is…
Plush
Plush refers to a fabric with a deep, soft, and dense pile, offering a luxurious feel. It is generally durable and comfortable but may be susceptible to wear from heavy use or…
Plush Corduroy+Foam+Plywood+ Solid wood+ Iron
This composite material combines plush corduroy upholstery with foam cushioning, supported by a plywood base and solid wood frame. Iron accents provide structural integrity and…
Plywood
Plywood is an engineered wood product made from thin layers of veneer glued together, with the grain of adjacent layers oriented at right angles for enhanced strength and…
Poly-cotton
Poly-cotton is a blended fabric combining polyester and cotton fibers, offering a balance of durability and breathability. It is moderately resistant to wrinkles and shrinking,…
Poly-lumber
Synthetic wood made entirely or predominantly of HDPE plastic. It mimics the look and weight of natural wood but will not rot, splinter, warp, or require painting/staining.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a strong, transparent thermoplastic known for its exceptional impact resistance, often outperforming glass. It offers good weather and UV resistance, making it…
Polycotton
Polycotton is a blended fabric composed of polyester and cotton fibers. This combination offers improved durability and wrinkle resistance over 100% cotton, while retaining some…
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic polymer widely used in furniture upholstery and frames. It offers good durability, resistance to stretching and shrinking, and fair weather resistance,…
Polyester Fabric
Polyester fabric is a synthetic textile made from petroleum-based polymers. It is highly durable, resistant to stretching and shrinking, and offers good weather and UV resistance,…
Polyester Wadding
Polyester wadding is a synthetic batting made from polyester fibers, often used as padding and filling in furniture. It offers good loft and resilience, providing comfort and…
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is a widely used plastic known for its excellent durability and resistance to moisture and chemicals, making it suitable for outdoor furniture. It is low-maintenance,…
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene (PE) is a common, versatile plastic known for its excellent durability and resistance to moisture and chemicals. It is a cost-effective material, often found in…
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a durable, lightweight thermoplastic polymer commonly used in furniture. It offers excellent resistance to moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation, making it…
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile thermoplastic polymer commonly used in furniture. It offers good durability and is highly resistant to moisture and many chemicals, making it…
Polypropylene Plastic
Polypropylene plastic is a versatile thermoplastic known for its excellent durability, impact resistance, and good weather resistance, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor…
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a durable and versatile synthetic polymer used in furniture for coatings, foams, and frames. It offers excellent resistance to moisture and abrasion, making it…
Porcelain-enameled Cast Iron (Cooking Grates)
Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates are crafted from durable cast iron coated with a vitreous porcelain enamel. This finish provides excellent heat retention and a non-stick…
Powder Coating
A dry finishing process used on metals like aluminum and steel. Powder is applied electrostatically and cured under heat to form a hard, durable skin that resists scratches and…
Powder-Coated Metal
Powder-coated metal is a finishing process where a dry powder is applied to metal surfaces and then cured under heat, resulting in a durable, smooth, and uniform coating. This…
Powder-Coated Steel
Powder-coated steel is a metal furniture frame finished with a dry powder electrostatically applied and then cured under heat, creating a durable, uniform, and scratch-resistant…
PP Base
A PP base is furniture construction using polypropylene, a durable, weather-resistant thermoplastic. It offers good impact strength and is generally low-maintenance, easily…
PVC
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a durable and weather-resistant plastic commonly used in outdoor furniture and upholstery. It requires minimal maintenance, easily wiping clean. PVC…
R
Rattan
Rattan is a naturally occurring climbing palm known for its strength and flexibility, making it a popular material for furniture. It is moderately durable and can withstand some…
Rattan & Wicker
Rattan and wicker are often used interchangeably, but rattan is a natural vine, while wicker is a weaving technique. Rattan furniture is generally durable and resistant to…
Resin
Resin is a versatile synthetic polymer commonly used in furniture for its durability and weather resistance, making it suitable for outdoor applications. It is typically…
Resin Wicker
Also known as all-weather wicker. Made from synthetic materials (like HDPE or PVC) woven over a metal frame. Unlike natural rattan, it will not crack, snap, or rot when exposed to…
Rubberwood
Rubberwood, also known as Malaysian oak, is a dense hardwood derived from latex-producing rubber trees. It is known for its durability, resistance to warping, and a moderate level…
S
Solution-Dyed Acrylic
A fabric manufacturing process where coloring is added directly to the liquid polymer before the fiber is extruded. This means the color goes all the way through the thread (like…
SPCC cold-rolled steel
SPCC cold-rolled steel is a widely available, general-purpose carbon steel sheet manufactured through a cold rolling process. This method enhances its strength, hardness, and…
Sponge
Sponge, typically referring to polyurethane foam, is a soft, porous material commonly used as cushioning in furniture. It offers moderate durability and comfort but is susceptible…
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an iron alloy containing chromium, offering excellent durability and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor furniture. It requires…
Steel
Steel is an iron alloy, commonly used in furniture for its exceptional strength and durability. It offers good resistance to wear and tear, though unprotected steel can rust if…
Steel Coated with Enamel
Steel coated with enamel is a metal base treated with a vitreous, glass-like layer fused at high temperatures. This process creates a highly durable, scratch-resistant, and…
Steel Stand
A steel stand is a furniture component constructed from steel, a robust iron alloy offering high durability and load-bearing capacity. It typically exhibits good weather…
Stone
Stone used in furniture refers to natural minerals like granite, marble, or slate, prized for exceptional durability and resistance to weathering. It requires minimal maintenance…
Sunbrella®
A proprietary brand of performance fabric made of solution-dyed acrylic. It is highly resistant to fading, mold, and mildew, making it the undeniable industry standard for outdoor…
T
Teak
The gold standard of outdoor hardwoods. Naturally rich in intrinsic oils and rubber that repel water and prevent insect infestation. It weathers to a beautiful silvery-gray patina…
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is a safety glass produced by controlled thermal or chemical treatments, making it significantly stronger and more shatter-resistant than standard glass. It…
Textile
Textiles are flexible materials made from fibers, used for upholstery, curtains, and coverings. Durability varies widely by fiber type and weave, impacting resistance to wear and…
Textilene
Textilene is a durable, weather-resistant woven mesh fabric primarily made from vinyl-coated polyester or nylon. It offers excellent UV resistance and dries quickly, making it…
Three-dimensional PP cotton
Three-dimensional PP cotton is a synthetic polyester fiber fill, commonly used for cushioning in upholstered furniture. It offers good resilience and loft, resisting compression…
U
UV Resistance
The measure of a material's ability to withstand degradation from ultraviolet light produced by the sun. High UV resistance prevents fading, chalking, and brittleness in plastics,…
V
Velvet
Velvet is a woven fabric characterized by a dense, short pile, creating a soft, luxurious texture. While comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, it generally offers moderate…
W
Wicker
Wicker refers to a weaving technique rather than a specific material. Commonly using natural materials like rattan, bamboo, or willow, it can also be mimicked with synthetic…
Wood
Wood is a natural, organic material derived from trees. Its durability varies by species, with hardwoods generally offering greater strength and longevity than softwoods. Many…
Wood & Fabric
Wood & Fabric refers to furniture constructed with a wooden frame or base combined with upholstered fabric elements. Durability varies by wood type and fabric quality, generally…
Wrought Iron
A heavy, extremely durable iron alloy characterized by its fibrous, hammered vintage look. While incredibly strong, it requires meticulous powder coating or painting, as exposed…