Why Siesta Furniture Outperforms Cheaper Polypropylene Alternatives

The ‘Real Price’ of Cheap Furniture

At first glance, it feels like a win for the budget. You’re looking at two polypropylene chairs: they’re both colourful, they’re both stackable, and they both look great on a website. But in the world of commercial hospitality, the real price isn't on the invoice - it's discovered eighteen months later.

When budget plastic begins to 'chalk,' fade under the sun, warps or develops cracks, that initial saving evaporates, and the furniture ends up in landfill. That is why Siesta Exclusive is the preferred choice for astute businesses who understand that buying quality can ultimately save money.

What’s So Special About Siesta Exclusive Furniture?

Material Innovation

Not all polypropylene is equal. Cheap polypropylene is often pure resin, which is prone to ‘chalking’ and becoming brittle. Most of Siesta’s furniture is crafted from high quality polypropylene which has been reinforced with glass fibre and UV stabilisers. This means that the furniture has the structural integrity of metal with the maintenance ease of plastic. Siesta’s transparent ranges are manufactured from Makrolon® Polycarbonate, a premium, high-performance plastic with amazing optical clarity.

Glass-Fibre Reinforced Polypropylene: Most of the solid-coloured chairs, like the Air, Sky, and Portofino collections, are made from this material.

The Benefit: Standard budget chairs use pure polypropylene, which is ‘floppy’ and degrades in the sun. Siesta injects glass fibres into the mix to give the furniture structural rigidity and high impact resistance. And the UV-stabilizers in Siesta’s furniture help to prevent the ‘chalk’ degradation common in cheap alternatives. High quality polypropylene also offers a softness, which translates to ergonomic comfort, rather than the rigid, brittle feel of budget chairs.

Makrolon® Polycarbonate: This is used for the transparent and translucent ranges, such as the Crystal, Elizabeth, and Opera chairs.

The Advantage: Makrolon® is a brand-name, high-performance thermoplastic. It provides the clarity of glass with the strength of a riot shield. It is significantly more scratch-resistant and UV-stable than the ‘clear’ plastics used in cheap knockoffs, which often turn yellow or cloudy within months.

Shown here: Crystal Armchairs

Tested and Certified for High-Traffic Hospitality Venues

All Siesta Exclusive furniture is tested and certified by CATAS, the gold standard for European furniture testing.

When a chair is ‘CATAS Tested,’ it means it hasn't just been ‘checked, it has been through a rigorous process to verify that the product is fit for purpose in a professional or commercial environment, as opposed to retail-grade alternatives only designed for light residential use.

Image Credit: CATAS

The Process: CATAS testing for chairs includes static load testing, to make sure the chair won't break under pressure. Fatigue testing, which pushes against the backrest hundreds of thousands of times, simulating years of a busy hospitality environment. Impact testing, to ensure the material won't shatter, and stability testing, to show that the chair won't tip over easily.

The Benefit: For commercial buyers, using certified furniture reduces the risk of breakages and potential injury claims.

Design-Led Furniture with Commerciality Built In

Unlike cheaper brands who tend to just make budget copies of chairs they know to be successful, Siesta Exclusive invest in innovation, development, and design. Many of their designs, such as the 3D rope effect on the Portofino Collection, are patent protected, which means they can’t legally be copied. That means that you know the furniture is exclusive and will elevate your venue. Cheaper alternatives are usually utilitarian and less aesthetically appealing.

Shown here: Portofino Bar Stool

Visual Consistency: Siesta offers a modern palette of colours that stretch across most collections, meaning you can achieve consistency if you want to have multiple furniture families. If you opt for olive green, you’ll get the same shade whether that’s a Paris Bench, Portofino Armchair, or Sky Table.

Clever Customisation: Siesta offer a great range of stock colours, but if you’re looking for something a bit different, they offer a variety of customisation options designed to elevate your brand and enhance your space. Whether you’re designing a hospitality venue, retail environment, or corporate setting, these bespoke enhancements can turn furniture into brand-building tools.

Options include matching furniture to your brand, choosing from any RAL colour, getting chairs and table tops laser-printed with your logo, or having custom badges added to any chair or stool. Find out more about how easy it is to create a fully branded environment.

Shown here: Air 75 Bar Stool

Versatility = Greater Value

Not only will the quality of Siesta furniture outlast cheap alternatives, meaning better value in the long run, the versatility it offers also makes a huge difference to the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Wide Variety of Uses: Although the strength, durability, and weather-resistance of Siesta products make them ideal for outdoor use, the quality of design and manufacturing means that they look equally as good inside a venue. The furniture is perfect for hospitality environments, leisure venues, workspaces, and events.

The folding and/or stacking ability of much of Siesta’s furniture makes it easier to move and store. Great if you’ve got a venue that relies on quick turnaround times, or outside areas that need to be cleared every evening.

Shown here: Paris Folding Chair

The ‘Product Family’ Advantage: Unlike budget brands that offer one-off chairs, Siesta offers entire collections, making it easy to maintain visual brand consistency. Also, many of the ranges can work together, thanks to the guaranteed colour matching and material quality. Knowing that you can come back a year after initial purchase and add to your collection without risk is great peace of mind.

Sustainability Matters

Siesta Exclusive endeavour to develop sustainable designs and practices without sacrificing quality. The polypropylene and polycarbonate raw materials that are used in Siesta products are 100% recyclable and have minimal impact on the environment. Certain products, such as the Ibiza and Florida Chairs, are now manufactured using 100% recycled polypropylene, and Siesta are looking to increase this offering in the future.

Also, the fact that Siesta furniture is designed and made in Europe means that the carbon footprint is smaller when bringing to the UK compared to shipping products from the Far East. Great for eco-conscious buyers who are looking to fulfil ESG goals.

Shown here: Florida Recycled Side Chair

The Bottom Line

The maths doesn’t lie – you can see the difference between a cheap £25 chair that lasts 1 year vs. a £60 Siesta chair that lasts 5 or more years. That gives the Siesta chair a cost per year of just £12 – 50% cheaper over a 5-year period compared to the ‘budget’ alternative.

The warranty and industry certification that comes with Siesta furniture also gives peace of mind. The Siesta Exclusive website has an informative article on How to Clean Plastic Garden Furniture – which will not only keep your chairs and tables looking as good as new, it will also keep your warranty valid. You can also find information on how to care for and maintain all commercial furniture in our informative guide.

Here’s a reminder of the differences between high-quality Siesta furniture and cheap imitations:

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Choose Once, Choose Right

There’s no doubt about it; Siesta Exclusive is worth the investment. It isn’t just plastic furniture; it’s commercial-grade engineering that delivers lower ‘total cost of ownership’ through durability, design, and sustainability. Don't let your furniture fade your brand, Siesta offers the perfect balance of commercial-grade strength and market-leading design.

Want to Find Out More?

You can find a comprehensive range of products from Siesta Exclusive on our website, but we are able to offer you anything from their extensive collection. Why not browse the new Siesta 2026 brochure:

For more information on any of our products, or to book a visit to our showroom to see Siesta furniture for yourself, give us a ring on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk. We can arrange a complimentary consultation to help you choose the perfect commercial furniture for your venue.

FAQs

How does Siesta furniture prevent 'chalking' and fading compared to cheaper alternatives? Unlike standard polypropylene chairs that are often made from pure resin, Siesta Exclusive furniture is crafted from high-quality polypropylene reinforced with glass fibre and high-level UV stabilisers. This advanced material innovation prevents the furniture from becoming brittle, cracking, or developing a 'chalky' surface after exposure to the sun. By using these premium inhibitors, the furniture maintains its structural integrity and colour even in demanding outdoor commercial environments.

What does 'CATAS certified' mean, and why is it important for my business? CATAS certification is a rigorous European standard that tests furniture for strength, durability, and safety specifically for heavy contract use. While many budget plastic chairs have no commercial certification, Siesta products are CATAS certified to ensure they can withstand the constant hits, knocks, and high traffic of a busy hospitality venue. Choosing certified furniture reduces your ‘total cost of ownership’ by ensuring you won't need to replace warped or broken items every year.

Can the furniture be customised to match my brand's specific aesthetic? Yes. While cheaper alternatives often come in a limited range of colours with no visual consistency, Siesta Exclusive offers contemporary designs with consistent colours across their ranges. Their collections can be customised to suit your specific venue requirements, ensuring your furniture serves as a natural extension of your brand rather than a generic substitute.