What are the differences in thermal expansion between natural and synthetic rattan outdoor trash cans?

When selecting outdoor trash cans, understanding thermal expansion properties becomes crucial for long-term durability. Natural rattan, derived from organic palm stems, exhibits significant thermal expansion due to its cellular structure that absorbs moisture and responds dramatically to temperature changes. During summer heat, natural rattan bins can expand by up to 3-4% in volume, potentially causing warping or joint stress. Conversely, synthetic rattan (typically HDPE or synthetic resin woven around aluminum frames) demonstrates minimal thermal expansion, usually less than 1% even under extreme temperature fluctuations from -20°C to 50°C. This synthetic material's polymer composition provides superior dimensional stability as it doesn't absorb moisture and has lower thermal conductivity. The aluminum core in quality synthetic rattan bins further restricts expansion through its rigid structural support. While natural rattan may contract noticeably in winter, creating gaps in weave patterns, synthetic rattan maintains consistent spacing between weave strands year-round. This fundamental difference in thermal behavior makes synthetic rattan trash cans more suitable for environments with extreme temperature variations, as they're less prone to cracking, loosening of components, or structural failure over time.