Poly vs. Wood: Is one better?

Durability

As beautiful as wood furniture may be, it can have its downsides when used for outdoor furniture. Fluctuating weather and rainfall can often cause issues like splintering, cracks, warping, and mold. Poly furniture is much less affected by these elements. The recycled plastics in poly furniture make the structure waterproof. It makes it easy and simple to leave outside and clean.

Poly is not easily splintered or chipped, but that quality makes it heavy. It’s definitely not impossible to move by human might, but wood furniture is lighter by comparison. However, the weight of poly furniture has proven useful for many who live in windier locations. Many owners of poly furniture have testified that what would easily blow away some of their lighter wood furniture, hardly moved their poly pieces.

Appearance

We can’t deny the allure of hardwood furniture. It’s strong and the grain is a beautiful pattern unique to each piece. Manufacturers of poly are working to recreate the same textures and looks of wood furniture in their products. It may not identical, but we’ve got to admit that it does look close. It can be obvious that the material is plastic depending on the surrounding furniture and lighting. Most can agree that poly looks best outdoors and can’t really compare to the beauty of your interior hardwood pieces.

It is true that stained and painted furniture also looks attractive, but it can begin to be in bad shape if not maintained well. Poly furniture doesn’t require any painting or stain. When the poly is made, a pigment is inserted into the material which not only keeps it vibrant, but helps absorb certain wavelengths of UV rays as well. It also means you don’t have to worry about any peeling paint.

Comfort

If you’re going to buy furniture, it needs to be comfortable, right? Well, luckily wood and poly are about equal in this category. Wood will slowly wear into the shape of your body over the years you sit on your porch. Poly will not, which may not be preferable to some, but it is smooth to touch and it’s a guarantee of longevity. No need to worry about splinters on your old poly rocking chair.

While materials are important in creating a chair, swing, or glider that’s relaxing to sit in, the shape is actually pretty important, too. If you find a poly chair that’s uncomfortable to sit in, it might not be the material, but the chair’s design.

So which one is your favorite? Poly or wood? We think both are lovely, but we can’t deny that we just love our poly furniture.