Traditionally, wicker has been an indoor or under-awning material only. The special treatment, added during the manufacturing process, results in pieces that require almost no maintenance, except for regular cleaning and yearly paint touch-ups on worn spots. This year, Lloyd Flanders' treated wicker line has grown to include about a dozen colors, ranging from the traditional white and natural to black and shades of beige, green and blue. Weather Craft also is a weather-resistant line of vinyl furniture woven to look like wicker. But they make great choices for sunrooms or living areas with plenty of natural light.
Most people think of wrought iron when they think of garden furniture.
But because of its tendency to rust when the finish gets scratched or chipped, immediate touch-ups and repairs will reduce the need for a yearly scraping down and repainting.