VogelBuying Guide
Cord vs Plastic Woven Chair Seats: Which Weave Is Right for You?
Cord or plastic weave? It is the question we field more than any other, and the honest answer depends on where the chair will live and how it will be used. Here is how the two woven seat materials really compare — in feel, durability, colour and setting.
The short answer: choose a cord weave for indoor dining chairs, lounge seating and anywhere comfort and a natural, tactile feel matter most. Choose a plastic (polymer) weave for covered patios, poolside, coastal homes and high-traffic hospitality where the seat must shrug off sun, moisture and daily cleaning. Both are hand-woven onto the same solid timber frames in our Cape Town workshop.
What is a cord-woven seat?
A cord seat is hand-woven from a strong, twisted cord in your chosen pattern and colour. It has a soft, slightly textured feel underhand, a warm natural character, and it is the more traditional of the two — the language of classic woven seating carried into a contemporary form. Cord is available in the widest colour range we offer, from quiet neutrals to deep, saturated tones.
Cord suits interior settings: dining rooms, studies, bedrooms, lounges and the covered, weather-protected areas of restaurants and lodges. With normal indoor use it lasts for decades.
What is a plastic (polymer) weave?
A plastic weave is hand-woven from a UV-stable polymer strand engineered for the outdoors. It is fade-resistant, water-resistant and wipes clean with a damp cloth — which is exactly why it has become the default for hospitality and outdoor-adjacent spaces. The trade-off is a slightly firmer, more uniform surface than cord, and a colour palette tuned for durability.
Plastic weave is the right call for anywhere the seat meets sun, spills or heavy turnover: covered patios, poolside lounges, coastal and lodge interiors, busy restaurants and bar areas.
Cord vs plastic weave: side by side
- Feel: Cord is softer and more tactile; plastic is firmer and more uniform.
- Setting: Cord for indoors; plastic for covered outdoor, coastal and high-traffic use.
- Cleaning: Cord is spot-cleaned; plastic wipes down with a damp cloth.
- Sun & moisture: Plastic is UV- and water-resistant; cord is best kept out of direct weather.
- Colour: Cord offers the widest palette; plastic offers a durable, weather-tested range.
- Character: Cord reads warm and natural; plastic reads clean and contemporary.
Which weave pattern should you choose?
Beyond material, the weave pattern shapes the look of the seat. Open patterns show more of the timber frame and read lighter; denser patterns give a fuller, more cushioned surface. Cord and plastic can both be woven in a range of patterns — pattern is an aesthetic choice, so pick the one that suits the room rather than the one you think is most durable, as durability comes from the material, not the pattern.
See and feel the difference
Every one of our woven chairs can be specified in cord or plastic, in your choice of colour and pattern. Open a piece to explore the combinations, or request samples.
Browse our woven seating →Frequently asked questions
Is a cord or plastic woven seat more comfortable?
Cord has a slightly softer, more giving feel, which many people find more comfortable for long dining. Plastic is firmer and more uniform. Both are hand-tensioned to sit comfortably; the difference is subtle.
Can I use a cord-woven chair outdoors?
We recommend cord for indoor and fully covered, weather-protected spaces only. For open patios, poolside or coastal exposure, choose the plastic weave, which is engineered to resist UV and moisture.
How do I clean a woven seat?
A plastic weave wipes clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. A cord seat should be spot-cleaned and kept dry. For a full care routine, see our guide to caring for hand-woven seat furniture.
How long does a woven seat last?
With appropriate use, both materials last for many years — decades for cord indoors, and years of hard outdoor-adjacent use for plastic. Seats can also be re-woven when needed rather than replacing the whole chair.
Ready to order?
Design your custom piece — exactly as you want it.
Choose your timber, finish, weave material, pattern and colour. We build it to order in Cape Town and ship nationwide and worldwide.