PRODUCT GUIDE
Sun, salt air and rain attack frames, finishes and fabrics at the same time. Here is what to specify before you ask a Foshan supplier for an outdoor furniture quotation.
Outdoor furniture lives a harder life than anything indoors. Sun, rain, salt air, pool water and large temperature swings all attack the frame, the finish and the fabric at the same time. The single biggest decision an importer makes is therefore not the silhouette or the colour — it is the material specification. This guide covers what to put in writing before you ask a Foshan supplier for a quotation.
A covered hotel terrace in Northern Europe, a coastal villa in the Gulf and a garden in Southeast Asia are three different environments. Tell us the destination climate and the setting before choosing materials: UV exposure, salt air, humidity, whether cushions can be stored indoors, and whether the pieces stay out all year. That context changes the recommendation more than any catalogue photo. Our outdoor furniture range covers several material families for exactly this reason.
Whatever the frame, specify the fasteners too. Stainless hardware, concealed fixings and protected foot caps are small line items on a specification sheet and large sources of complaints later.
For table tops, state the material, thickness, edge treatment and how it is fixed to the base. Tempered glass, sintered stone, ceramic and wood composites all behave differently in transit and in use. For upholstery, specify the fabric construction, colour reference, seam construction and whether cushion covers are removable. Quick-dry foam and drainage detail matter far more than a fabric name on a label.
Outdoor sets are bulky, often flat-packed, and frequently shipped with glass or stone components. Agree the carton construction, corner protection, foam density, stacking method and whether the set is knocked down or assembled. Ask for a packing drawing, not just a carton count. Our quality inspection checks packaging alongside the product, because a perfect table in a weak carton is still a claim.
Put every choice into a single written document: frame material and gauge, finish and colour, top, fabric, hardware, packaging, and the assembly instructions. Our price list (PDF) lists model numbers, dimensions and materials across the ranges we source and is a practical starting point. Any deviation — a custom size, a different weave, a private-label mark — belongs in that document as a variation, not in an email thread.
Then approve a physical sample against it. The full process is in our guide to approving furniture samples, and the general pre-order checklist is in what to check before buying furniture from China. Dated photos of the approved sample become the reference for production and pre-shipment inspection.
Most buyers combine a dining set, loungers and a few accent pieces from more than one workshop. Our shipment consolidation guide explains how one master packing list and one inspection point keep that simple. Commercial terms are set out in our Order Process & Terms, and export documentation is handled by our licensed export partner.
Send us the destination climate, the categories you need and any reference images. We will come back with material options, a specification sheet and a quotation. Start a quote or browse all buyer guides.
Which frame material is best for outdoor furniture in a coastal climate?
Powder-coated aluminium with stainless fasteners is usually the safest starting point because it does not rust and is light to handle. Timber and woven options can still work, but the specification needs to cover pre-treatment, coating thickness, joinery and fixings. Tell us the destination and we will shortlist suitable models.
Can I mix different materials in one order?
Yes. Most orders combine frames, table tops and upholstery from more than one partner factory. We build one master packing list, coordinate readiness and check the whole order before it is loaded into one shipment.
Can I see a sample before placing a full order?
Yes. Samples are charged at the bulk price, with no sample surcharge, and a single unit can be sent on its own. We recommend approving a written specification and dated sample photos before production starts.
