With all the choices in outdoor furniture on the market today, it can be difficult deciding what’s right for your backyard patio.
When Polywood and teak go head-to-head on the comparison chart, both stand out as excellent performers in the luxury outdoor furniture market.
What Factors to Make Different Outdoor Furniture Better?
Most homeowners are looking for the most value for their money so the choice comes down to three main considerations in addition to cost.
They include:
- Durability: How long does the product last and how well does it hold up to the elements over its lifespan?
- Maintenance: How much upkeep is required to keep the product looking its best?
- Versatility: What styles and color options is the product available in?
Now, let’s take a look at each of these points in more detail below.
Polywood VS. Teak Outdoor Furniture
Which outdoor furniture will work for you?
Here is a comparison of the two materials:
| Polywood | Teak | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Heavy-duty and virtually indestructible. The Polywood brand offers a 20-year warranty. | Extremely long-lasting. Quality pieces can last up to 50 years. |
| Maintenance | Clean as needed with soapy water, stiff brush, and bleach (if mildew is present). Dust off as needed. | Occasional cleaning with stiff brush and soapy water may be needed if left outdoors year-round. Go with the grain when scrubbing teak. Lightly sand and seal teak to keep the natural wood color. Otherwise it will age to a silver patina. |
| Versatility | Available in array of colors Used for dining sets, accent tables, chairs, swings, benches, gliders, and bar stools | Usually offered in the natural teak wood color, but can be painted if desired. Used for dining sets, accent tables, chairs, swings, benches, gliders, and bar |
| Cost range for Adirondack chair | $250-$300 | $200-$1000 |
Now, let’s dive deeper into these two building materials to understand the difference between the two.
Pros and Cons Polywood Outdoor Furniture
Polywood was first created in the 1990’s as a way to reuse plastics that would otherwise find their way to the landfills. The result was – and still is – weatherproof outdoor furniture that is both beautiful, functional, and durable.
Here’s a table showing the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plastic is impervious to the elements so Polywood is weatherproof and rustproof | It is expensive compared to other outdoor furniture materials. |
| Additives to the HDPE allows Polywood to resist fading | Surfaces absorb heat and may be uncomfortably hot if left in the sun. |
| Keeping plastics out of the landfills is environmentally friendly. | One chair weighs 30-50 pounds. |
| Other than infrequent wipe downs, it’s maintenance free. | Polywood furniture can be difficult to move easily. |
| HDPE is essentially indestructible so Polywood pieces are super long-lasting. | |
| The HDPE material can be created in a variety of colors. |
HDPE, or High-density Polyethylene, is the plastic found in everyday items like laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs, and the like. This plastic is combined with UV inhibitors, stabilizers, and pigment to create Polywood lumber. There is no wood or natural fibers in Polywood.
Polywood is designed to look like wood and its wood grain finishes come in a variety of colors. The color is more than a surface treatment; it actually runs all the way through the lumber.
Pros and Cons of Teak Outdoor Furniture
Teak is actual wood, tropical in origin, with a dense grain and high oil content. This oiliness gives teak a water and decay resistance that makes it exceptional for use in outdoor and indoor furniture, boats, anything that may be exposed to the elements.
Because teak is a hardwood, it doesn’t dent or get dinged up easily even with heavy use. Hardwoods are noted for their strength, and teak is one of the heaviest, so it’s an ideal choice for making furniture.
Here’s the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Close grain and inherent oil give teak a long life, often lasting up to 50 years. | Cost is high due to the wood’s slow-growing nature. |
| Naturally present teak oil acts to prevent moisture absorption and dry rot. | Limited harvesting reduces availability. |
| Naturally present resin repels bugs and insects. | Routine upkeep is needed to maintain best condition. |
| Natural beauty ages well into a silvery patina. | Pieces can be somewhat heavy to move around. |
| Density of the grain provides strength that prevents cracking and warping. | |
| Hardness of the wood means it’s not easily dinged or dented. |
Teak is renowned for its natural beauty, starting off a golden brown color that gradually ages and softens into a soft silver-gray patina. It can be left in its natural state or painted, stained, or treated with wax or varnish.
Conclusion
Both Polywood and Teak outdoor furniture are a great addition to any backyard patio. Which one you choose will most likely come down which ones matches with your taste. Do you want an earthy wood Teak look or do you like the bright colors and environmentally friendly Polywood?
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