The Recycled Plastic Patio Furniture Buyer's Guide
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What is recycled plastic outdoor furniture?
You might be wondering, what exactly is recycled plastic patio furniture? What’s it made out of, and why should you choose that material over others? The material that makes up recycled plastic outdoor furniture can contain many different kinds of polymers, all rated for outdoor use. The most defining feature of it, of course, is that the materials must be recycled. The furniture can be made from resin, polyethylene, polycarbonate, or some acrylics. This furniture can also be called poly lumber outdoor furniture or poly wood patio furniture, if the recycled plastic is blended with natural wood fibers.
Generally, when you hear "recycled plastic," you're most likely hearing about a material made from:
- High density polyethylene (HDPE)
- UV-inhibited pigment systems
- Foaming compounds
- Selected additives
The main compound that makes up most HDPE patio furniture you can buy today is raw plastic material that was used by consumers at one point. Think detergent bottles, milk jugs, shampoo containers, and post-consumer stuff like that. The used consumer goods are cleaned very carefully, melted down, refined, and then can be molded into composite outdoor furniture! If you want to learn more about how the process works and what kind of plastics are recycled, check out this short article that goes even further into the high density polyethylene process!
Typically, HDPE materials end up being about 90% recycled plastic, which is far more than other plastic products like polypropylene or polycarbonate. Sustainability is a hot topic right now and even little things can make a difference. Purchasing patio furniture made from recycled plastic is a great way to help the environment and engage in a quick and easy sustainability practice.
Why should you choose recycled plastic patio furniture?
Sustainability
As I mentioned briefly, purchasing recycled plastic patio furniture is great for the environment! Being made from recycled plastic means less waste ending up in landfills (which is always a good thing). Plus, if you’re not purchasing wood patio furniture, you’re saving trees and reducing your carbon footprint. If you are interested in a quick calculation of your carbon footprint, check out this free carbon footprint calculator.
Maintenance
Another great benefit of resin outdoor furniture? It's basically maintenance free. No rust, no repainting, and you won’t have to worry about refinishing it like teak furniture. Most, if not all recycled plastic is UV treated so you don’t have to worry about colors fading in the sun. Once you figure out the perfect composite outdoor furniture set-up, you’re good to go!
Cost
Recycled plastic outdoor furniture is often cheaper than any other types of patio furniture. The ones made strictly from molded plastic require less work to manufacture. They don’t have any wood, aluminum, or cast iron so they’re also much lighter. This makes a big difference if you’re ordering online and planning on having them shipped to you. If they somehow get ruined or you want to replace them with different colors it won’t break the bank to upgrade.
The price difference is abundantly clear when you start comparing recycled plastic to other patio furniture materials. And it’s normal to worry that composite patio furniture might look cheaper than other types of patio furniture. While it won’t look like high-end wrought iron, the molds and colors available look so similar to natural wood that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference! Here’s a quick price comparison to give you an idea of the general costs. Check out some more recycled plastic patio furniture options.
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In the comparison between these two 5 piece dining sets, you can see that the recycled plastic option is much cheaper. It’s not quite as luxury, but you don’t have to completely sacrifice style when shopping for recycled plastic patio furniture.
Extra Benefits
- Lightweight - easy to move around and store
- Wide range of colors
- Waterproof (no metal, won’t rust)
- Pretty tough to break plastic
Lifespan
Well-made and well-maintained poly wood outdoor furniture or recycled plastic patio furniture will last a lifetime (or until you decide you want something new). You never have to worry about rotting wood, cracking wood, rust, or almost any other issue that is commonly found in patio furniture. The material is UV protected so you don’t need to worry about colors fading. If you leave your poly lumber outdoor furniture out in the sun for 15+ years you’ll most likely start to see some fading, but you won’t have to worry about that for a while!
POLYWOOD is a great option if you have a big family, kids, pets, you name it. The plastic is sturdy and durable so it can take all kinds of abuse. If you’re looking for affordable patio furniture for a commercial space, POLYWOOD is a fantastic option. The durable nature of this material means that it can withstand the traffic that is unique to commercial spaces.
One of the downsides that is frequently brought up with plastic patio furniture is the lightweight nature of the material. This is a legitimate concern, especially in places that are prone to high winds. POLYWOOD patio furniture is a great solution here because it's actually much heavier than your run of the mill, box store plastic patio furniture. The chairs weigh anywhere between 30-50 lbs. If you’ve seen a 50 lb weight casually blowing around, let me know!
Climate
As we’ve discussed, recycled plastic outdoor furniture is one of the most - if not the most - durable patio furniture material available.
It can handle pretty much anything that mother nature can throw at it. The UV protection allows it to withstand hot and sunny climates without a problem. Since it’s just recycled plastic, snow and rain won’t affect the structure or material. The worst you’ll have to deal with is wiping off any excess water or snow.
Finally, unless you’re planning on lounging outside during 40-50 mph winds, you should be totally fine. Salt spray accumulating on beachside furniture can often be an issue, but not composite outdoor furniture!
Once again, it beats any and all of the elements.
Frequently Asked Questions: Recycled Plastic Patio Furniture
Mostly HDPE with UV inhibitors and additives. Pieces are formed from recycled polymers like HDPE with UV-inhibited pigments and selected additives. Many sets are called poly lumber or poly wood when plastic is blended with wood fibers. HDPE content typically reaches about 90 percent post-consumer material.
Sustainable, low maintenance, and budget friendly. It reduces landfill waste, needs little upkeep, resists rust and fading, comes in many colors, is waterproof, and is tough to break. It is often lighter and less expensive than wood or metal options while still offering attractive, woodlike looks.
Decades with simple care. Well-made, well-maintained pieces can last a lifetime. UV protection helps preserve color, though some fading can appear after 15 or more years in constant sun. The material resists rot, cracking, and rust better than many alternatives.
Yes, with sensible wind precautions. It handles sun, rain, and snow well, and salt spray is not a problem for the plastic itself. Wind can move very light pieces. POLYWOOD chairs are heavier at about 30 to 50 pounds, which helps stability on breezy patios.
Soap and warm water do most of the work. Use mild soap with a soft brush or cloth. For tough stains, mix one part bleach with two parts warm water. A pressure washer up to 1,500 psi is acceptable. Rinse hardware, especially near ocean spray, since hardware is typically stainless steel.
POLYWOOD is the top choice. POLYWOOD offers the broadest selection and price range. Harmonia Living has a smaller selection. POLYWOOD’s range spans dining, deep seating, and sectionals with options that fit homes and commercial spaces.
Long residential coverage is common. POLYWOOD lists a 20 year limited residential warranty. For aluminum frames, hardware, and sling material, residential coverage is 5 years. Commercial coverage is typically 1 year. With basic cleaning, most owners will not need major repairs for many seasons.
Top Brands
The best recycled plastic outdoor furniture brand is far and away POLYWOOD. They have the biggest selection and a huge range of prices. Harmonia Living is another brand that offers recycled plastic patio furniture but the selection is very minimal. If you’re planning on purchasing this kind of patio furniture, POLYWOOD is your best option.
Polywood Dining Set Examples
(check each product for current price)
Cleaning and Care
Cleaning and taking care of composite poly wood is a pretty easy task that doesn’t have to be done very often. All you’ll really need is soap and warm water. A soft bristled brush is recommended to effectively get into any cracks and creases. For general cleaning, a sponge or washcloth should work just fine. If you’re dealing with any tough stains, a mixture of ⅓ bleach and ⅔ warm water should do the trick without having any negative effects on the color. If you really want to get after it, a pressure washer that’s at or below 1,500 psi will work as well. All the hardware that the polywood brand uses is stainless steel. According to their website, the hardware has a high level of corrosion resistance. If you live in an area that leads to your patio furniture coming in contact with salt spray (near the ocean) the hardware can easily be cleaned with soap and warm water.
As for cushions, the gold standard for patio furniture cushions is Sunbrella Fabrics. They are the most resistant to fading from UV rays and are considered to be the industry standard for quality patio cushions.
Repairing and Replacing
The POLYWOOD brand of recycled plastic patio furniture has an unbeatable warranty. It is really a testament to their long lifespan and durability. According to their website, they have a 20 year limited warranty for residential use on all of their patio furniture. The commercial use warranty is only 1 year, but that’s to be expected with the high traffic of commercial settings. For the aluminum frames, hardware, and sling material, the residential warranty is 5 years, commercial is 1 year.
Overall, you’re getting some serious bang for your buck when purchasing recycled plastic outdoor furniture. With proper care, your patio furniture will last you a couple decades.
And if you're looking for a buying guide for all patio furniture, we've got you covered!
Key Takeaways
- Made from 90% recycled plastic
- Great for the environment
- Low maintenance
- Long lifespan
- Great warranty
- Perfect for any climate
- Looks awesome
