A Summary of a Conversation Between Tim Brook and Shaun Green, Founders of The Furniture Shack

After more than 25 years of importing, testing and selling outdoor furniture throughout Queensland, we've learnt that not all outdoor furniture materials are created equal.

Over the years we've seen products perform brilliantly for years. We've also seen materials crack, fade, rust, split and deteriorate far quicker than manufacturers promised.

The reality is that Queensland is one of the toughest environments in the world for outdoor furniture.

Intense UV exposure, high humidity, heavy summer rain, coastal salt air and year-round outdoor living place enormous demands on furniture materials.

That's why we've become extremely selective about what we will—and won't—stock.

The following article is a summary of a recent conversation between The Furniture Shack founders Tim Brook and Shaun Green, discussing the materials they have tested, the mistakes they've learnt from, and the materials they continue to trust after 25 years of supplying outdoor furniture to Queensland homes.

Queensland Is the Ultimate Outdoor Furniture Test

Many outdoor furniture materials perform reasonably well in mild climates.

The challenge comes when furniture is exposed to:

• Intense Queensland UV

• Summer storms

• High humidity

• Heavy rainfall

• Constant temperature fluctuations

• Coastal conditions

A material that looks fantastic in a showroom can look very different after a few Queensland summers.

Our buying decisions today are heavily influenced by one simple question:

How will this look in five years?

Not five months.

Not one summer.

Five years.

Outdoor Cushions: Why Fabric Matters More Than Most People Realise

One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying outdoor furniture is focusing entirely on the frame while overlooking the cushions.

During our conversation, Shaun explained:

"Entry-level polyester is something we won't touch."

While basic polyester may look good initially, prolonged UV exposure can quickly lead to fading, deterioration and reduced lifespan.

Instead, we insist on solution-dyed outdoor fabrics.

What We Use

Our outdoor furniture ranges feature:

• Olefin fabrics

• Spun polyester fabrics

• Premium acrylic fabrics

These fabrics are specifically designed for outdoor use and provide significantly greater resistance to:

• Fading

• UV damage

• Moisture

• Mould and mildew

• Everyday wear and tear

For us, solution-dyed fabric isn't an upgrade.

It's the minimum standard.

Why We Won't Stock Steel Outdoor Furniture

This surprises some customers.

Steel furniture is everywhere.

In fact, when Shaun visits factories overseas, steel remains one of the most common materials offered by manufacturers.

Why?

Because it's cheaper.

Steel offers strength and allows manufacturers to hit lower price points.

The problem is what happens after years of exposure to Queensland conditions.

The Rust Problem

Even when steel is:

• Powder coated

• E-coated

• Galvanised

Any compromise in the protective coating can create a pathway for moisture.

Over time this can lead to:

• Corrosion

• Rust

• Bubbling finishes

• Structural deterioration

As Shaun explained:

"It's a cheaper alternative that people tend to lean towards to offer a cheaper product, but we just won't compromise. We just won't stock it."

For this reason, aluminium has become the foundation of most Furniture Shack collections.

Why Powder-Coated Aluminium Continues to Win

If there is one material that has consistently proven itself over 25 years, it's powder-coated aluminium.

Quality aluminium furniture offers:

• Excellent strength

• Rust resistance

• Lightweight construction

• Minimal maintenance

• Long-term durability

Unlike steel, aluminium won't rust.

That makes it particularly suited to:

• Coastal homes

• Pool areas

• Exposed patios

• Queensland backyards

This is why aluminium forms the framework of the majority of our outdoor furniture collections today.

The Timber Lesson: Why We Moved Away From Acacia and Eucalyptus

Over the years we've trialled various timber options.

Two that repeatedly appear in the outdoor furniture industry are:

• Acacia

• Eucalyptus

On paper they sound appealing.

They're affordable.

They're attractive.

And manufacturers often claim they are suitable for outdoor use.

Our experience has been different.

What We Found

Queensland's harsh UV exposure and weather cycles create significant stress on these timbers.

Furniture is constantly exposed to:

• Sun

• Rain

• Heat

• Humidity

Then the cycle repeats.

Again and again.

As Shaun explained:

"We tried acacia. We tried eucalyptus. They always promised to last, but unfortunately, in our environment in Australia, with the UV the way it is, it just won't stand up to that and it will deteriorate quicker than other materials."

As a result, we made the decision years ago to stop stocking them.

Why Teak Is the Only Timber We Use

Today, if we're using timber, it's teak.

And not just any teak.

High-grade teak.

Teak has been used in demanding outdoor and marine environments for generations because it naturally contains oils that help it withstand exposure to moisture and weather.

Benefits include:

• Exceptional durability

• Natural weather resistance

• Long service life

• Structural stability

• Timeless appearance

While teak requires a higher initial investment, our experience shows it delivers significantly better long-term performance than cheaper timber alternatives.

Materials We Trust After 25 Years

Beyond aluminium and teak, there are several complementary materials that have consistently proven themselves in Queensland conditions.

Polywood

Polywood provides the appearance of timber without many of the maintenance concerns associated with natural timber.

Benefits include:

• Won't split

• Won't rot

• UV resistant

• Easy to maintain

HPL (High Pressure Laminate)

HPL continues to perform exceptionally well in outdoor applications.

It offers:

• Excellent weather resistance

• Fade resistance

• Durability

• Easy cleaning

These materials pair particularly well with aluminium frameworks and help create furniture that looks great for years.

The Furniture Shack Material Checklist

When evaluating new products overseas, we don't simply look at style and price.

We ask:

✓ Is the fabric solution dyed?

✓ Is the frame aluminium or premium teak?

✓ Will it withstand Queensland UV?

✓ Will it survive humidity and rain?

✓ How will it look in five years?

✓ Would we be comfortable using it ourselves?

If the answer isn't yes across the board, we walk away.

The Bottom Line

After 25 years of importing, testing and selling outdoor furniture throughout Queensland, we've learnt that cutting corners on materials almost always costs more in the long run.

The materials we consistently trust are:

• Powder-coated aluminium

• High-grade teak

• Olefin fabrics

• Spun polyester fabrics

• Premium acrylic fabrics

• Polywood

• HPL surfaces

The materials we've moved away from include:

• Basic polyester fabrics

• Steel frameworks

• Acacia timber

• Eucalyptus timber

Because at the end of the day, outdoor furniture should be built for outdoor living—not just for a showroom floor.

And in Queensland, that means choosing materials that have already proven they can handle the heat, humidity, storms and sunshine that make our lifestyle so special.