Background Introduction
Resin wicker has a long history and was started to be used in the creation of royal furniture in ancient times, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of hand-crafted furniture pieces. With people’s increasing pursuit towards nature and comfortable outdoor spaces, rattan wicker has become a dominant material choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture with its natural beauty. Especially in summer settings and commercial areas such as hotels, resorts, restaurants and rooftops, you can often see the presence of rattan wicker garden furniture.
However, when I searched for information online, I found many people often mess up these two terms together, “resin wicker” and “PE wicker”. They do not understand the differences between them and have no idea about how to decide between the two. In this article, I will provide a detailed explanation of both terms, helping you make a clearer decision when purchasing rattan wicker furniture for your next project.

What Is Resin Wicker?
When you are seeking reliable rattan furniture for your business or residential outdoor projects, it is common for you to see this term everywhere. Does it always make you confused when you make a suitable decision? Now, let me introduce it to you!
Resin is a broad term to describe different materials. It can be categorized into two types, which are natural resins and synthetic resins. For natural resin, rosin is a good example, which is common to be seen in our daily life. For synthetic resins, there are a lot of materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
Resin wicker, also known as all-weather wicker, is a durable material that normally refers to synthetic resins like HDPE. It is normally woven to mimic the appearance of natural rattan and is commonly used over lightweight aluminium frames to create outdoor furniture that withstands various weather conditions.

What Is PE Wicker?
This term is commonly seen when you browse durable rattan outdoor furniture online. PE wicker, normally referred to as synthetic wicker, is made from polyethylene (PE), designed to mimic the look and texture of natural rattan.
When furniture manufacturers mention PE wicker furniture, they often refer to rattan furniture that is crafted from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) wicker, which is a more durable and weather-resistant raw material.
As a thermoplastic resin, HDPE is waterproof, UV-resistant, and resistant to corrosion and insects, making PE wicker an ideal choice for long-lasting, high-quality outdoor furniture. Its strength and sustainability ensure that garden furniture crafted from PE wicker remains stylish and functional over time, even in harsh outdoor conditions.

Relationship between Resin Wicker and PE Wicker
Although the distinction between resin wicker and PE wicker is seen as confusing, it is actually simple to clarify. In one word, resin wicker is the broader category, while PE wicker is a specific type of resin wicker that belongs to the category of resin wicker. Among all other resin materials, polyethylene is the most commonly used synthetic resin for making plastic rattan outdoor furniture.
In the UK, outdoor furniture made from resin wicker is normally referred to as “rattan garden furniture” because other traditional rattan materials have become less popular. Regardless of the term used, when you see resin wicker furniture or PE wicker furniture online, they both typically refer to artificial rattan furniture. Now, many retailers use these two terms interchangeably, which brings some confusion to their customers.
Wicker vs. Rattan: What Is the Difference?
These two terms are often used interchangeably by many outdoor furniture suppliers, which also causes lots of confusion. Have you ever wondered about the difference?
In fact, rattan refers to a natural material that is derived from climbing palm plants, while wicker is a type of weaving technique that is used to create furniture and decorative pieces. This means that rattan can be woven into wicker furniture, but not all wicker furniture is made from rattan material since wicker furniture can also be woven from other materials. Hence, when you select suitable outdoor furniture for your projects, you need to pay attention to what specific materials you need. Read this article for more details!

Where to Buy High-quality PE Rattan Material?
Since rattan furniture is still on the trend in the industry; if you would like to craft artificial rattan furniture that is outstanding in the market, it is time for you to source premium plastic rattan material.
Leisure Touch Rattan, with decades of experience in the outdoor furniture material industry, specialises in producing high-quality plastic rattan for its valued customers. With strong factory capacities, we can customise unique shapes, colours and patterns for your synthetic rattan materials, helping you manufacture unique rattan garden sofas that are attractive, durable and eco-friendly. If you want to place an urgent order, contact our specialists, and we will ship it to you in a timely manner.

Conclusion
So, after reading this article, do you now understand the difference between resin wicker and PE wicker? It is actually quite simple. In conclusion, resin wicker is a broader category that includes PE wicker, while PE wicker is a specific type made from polyethylene. These two terms are often used interchangeably by many people; however, knowing their distinctions can help you choose the right material for your outdoor furniture. If you are looking for high-quality PE rattan materials, Leisure Touch Rattan offers durable, stylish and customizable options to meet your needs.