Buyers often treat this as a quality question, with natural as the premium option and synthetic as the compromise. That is the wrong frame. They are different materials solving different problems, and specifying the wrong one produces a product that fails in the field regardless of how well it was woven.
Natural Grade A rattan cane
Grade A round and flat cane is the primary material for handcrafted rattan products, and the grade is what delivers a clean, smooth finish on a handmade item. Lower grades carry more colour variation, more surface fibre, and more rejects at inspection.
Specify natural when: the product lives indoors, the look and tactile quality are part of the sale, and the buyer expects a material with visible grain and slight variation between pieces. Hampers, retail display, interior homeware, hospitality decor.
Where it fails: sustained outdoor exposure. Rain, direct sun and humidity cycling will degrade untreated natural cane. Colour finishing helps, and it protects against mould and termite damage, but it does not turn an indoor material into an outdoor one.
Synthetic rattan
Synthetic rattan is offered as an alternative where durability and weather resistance matter more than material authenticity. It holds the visual language of traditional rattan while tolerating conditions that would ruin cane.
Specify synthetic when: the product sits outdoors or in a wet zone, gets cleaned aggressively, or goes into a commercial setting with heavy turnover. Poolside furniture, terrace seating, spa and wellness areas, outdoor hospitality.
Where it fails: when the buyer is paying for the material itself. In a premium gifting or interior context, synthetic reads as synthetic, and that undercuts the story the product is being sold on.
A decision table
| Requirement | Natural Grade A | Synthetic |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor homeware and gifting | Yes | Rarely |
| Outdoor or wet areas | No | Yes |
| Material authenticity as selling point | Yes | No |
| Heavy commercial cleaning | No | Yes |
| Visible variation between pieces | Expected | Minimal |
The weave matters as much as the material
Both materials are worked through the same range of techniques: simple and double weaves for structural strength, diamond and cane patterns for a finished decorative face. A simple weave in Grade A cane will outlast a decorative weave in the same material under load, because the pattern that looks best is not always the pattern that carries weight. Say what the product has to do, and let the weave follow from that.
Frequently asked questions
Is synthetic rattan lower quality than natural rattan?
No, it is a different material with different strengths. Synthetic offers better weather resistance and durability; natural offers authentic material character and is the right choice for indoor and premium applications.
Can natural rattan be used outdoors?
Not for sustained exposure. Colour finishing protects against mould and termite damage but does not make natural cane an outdoor material. Specify synthetic for outdoor use.
What does Grade A rattan mean?
It is the premium grade of round and flat cane, selected to give a clean, smooth finish on handmade products with minimal surface fibre and colour variation.
Which weaving pattern is strongest?
Simple and double weaves are specified for strength. Diamond and cane patterns are decorative finishes and are chosen where appearance leads.
Can one order combine both materials?
Yes, where the design calls for it. The specification is agreed before sampling so the quotation reflects the actual build.
Get a quotation for your specification
Send the model, dimensions, finish and quantity you need. A binding quotation comes back within one business day, and a sample is produced to your brief before any bulk run starts. See the full catalogue at rattanhandicraft.exporindo.id or start a consultation.