Poly Furniture or Wood Furniture: What is Best for You?

outdoor furniture on a porch in Virginia

If you are like most people, you continue to look for ways to enjoy and better your life. One way you can do that for yourself and your family is turning some of your outdoor space into living area. This not only gives you new and added places to enjoy, but you also have fresh air and the beauty of the outdoors.

The outdoors can be a great place to think, imagine, pray, spend time with loved ones, talk on the phone, read a book, eat meals, and so much more! What better place, than the outdoors, to make family memories? 

One of the important features of your outdoor space will the furniture you choose. No double, there are many varieties of outdoor furniture. Here we will consider some differences between poly furniture and wood furniture.

Poly Furniture vs. Wood Furniture

No doubt about it, there is a big difference between poly furniture and wood furniture. The price tag is one obvious difference and you may be wondering if it’s worth the extra cost. Truthfully, only you can decide that.

Let’s break down some of the differences between poly outdoor furniture and wooden outdoor furniture.

poly chairs in va
poly outdoor furniture rocker for sale in VA

Materials in Wood vs. Poly Furniture:

Poly furniture is made from 100% polyethylene recyclable plastic. So, poly furniture is not only saving trees, it is also helping to keep plastic products from entering the waste stream. Poly furniture contains no harsh chemicals that will negatively impact the environment or the people using the poly furniture.

Wood furniture is made out of different types of wood. Most wood furniture is made with pressure treated wood that could contain harmful chemicals. Furthermore, outdoor wood furniture also needs to be a finished with oils, varnish, stains, polyurethane, or something to keep it looking good.

Durability difference in Wood vs. Poly Furniture

Poly furniture is made to withstand all types of weather. You do not need to worry about it rotting over time. Our poly furniture comes with a lifetime residential warranty so you don’t have to worry about ever replacing it. Poly furniture is built to withstand hot sun, snowy winters, and strong coastal winds and requires no painting, staining, or waterproofing.

Wood furniture’s durability depends on the type of wood. If it is pressure treated it might last a long time. Cedar wood furniture is naturally rot resistant meaning it would also be quite durable. However, both of them will need more maintenance than poly furniture. It also depends on if and how it has been finished and the maintenance of it.

Up-keep needed on Wood vs Poly  

Poly furniture needs very little maintenance. Wipe it down, to clean it—that’s it. It is resistant to corrosive substances, oil and fuels, insects, and salt sprays; since plastic does not absorb moisture, furniture made from poly will not rot, splinter, or crack. A solution of 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water removes any fungi build up. You can buy poly furniture cleaner that is made for the job.

With wood furniture, it depends on what type of wood again. If the wood was very dry when the furniture was produced, it will have less tendency to crack. However, most wood furniture will develop cracks over time allowing water to seep in. Upkeep will include cleaning, inspecting the wood and screws/brackets occasionally, and applying a fresh layer of sealer. Wood furniture will require more maintenance than poly.  

The Look of Poly vs. Wood Furniture

Poly furniture has a variety of ‘looks/styles.’ With a variety of colors (brighter ones for some types of furniture, and gentle colors for others), the different pieces of poly outdoor furniture give different vibes. Some give more of a fun, lively feel, others give a more home and comfy feel. There are even some that have a ‘wood’ look. 

The natural ‘wood-look’ is what draws some people to outdoor wood furniture. Wood furniture also comes in various styles, but it is less common to see the many color variations you find in poly furniture. No doubt, wood furniture can be painted the match your style, but that will require repainting the furniture every few years.

Price Difference between Poly and Wood Furniture

Poly furniture tends to be more expensive up front, but most pieces come with life-time warranty, making it a long-term investment (which means you actually save money… right!?!). So while you will spend more money on Poly Furniture than on wood furniture, the poly will last a long time.

Wood furniture is a more economical outdoor furniture up front (although prices vary on different kinds of wood), but there is the cost of maintenance or eventually replacing pieces. Only you can decide which is most important to you.

poly swing stand for sale in va

Yoder Woodcraftes: Your Source for Quality Poly Furniture.

If you decide that you want outdoor furniture that is virtually maintenance free will stand the test of time, Yoder Woodcrafters would be happy to help you make that happen.

At Yoder Woodcrafters, we want you to relax while knowing your furniture is covered by a lifetime residential warranty. Yoder Woodcrafters offers a selection of poly outdoor furniture. If it is a rocker, glider, or porch swing you need for your porch, check out the variety of styles and colors.

There are a variety of Poly Tables, Poly Chairs, Poly Dining Sets, and other Poly Accessories to enhance your outdoor experience as you expand your living space into the great outdoors. These will provide the right area for family times, dinner parties with friends, or afternoon chats over coffee.

Take a look at the options and order your poly outdoor furniture today. If there is anyway we can help, please give us a call.

poly swings

Why Customers Count on Yoder Woodcrafters

  • Our Poly lawn furniture and patio sets carry a lifetime warranty for residential customers;
  • Weather-resistant Poly furniture offers easy maintenance;
  • We offer a large selection of styles and colors;
  • Free shipping available on many items;
  • Choose between a multitude of styles and sizes;
  • We use recyclable plastic in our Poly items
  • Obtain great customer service and fast shipping!
poly table in virginia

Testimonials from our Poly Furniture Customers

“We love ALL of our Poly Furniture. We started with a set of two chairs and a little table out front and now all of our outdoor furniture is Poly. That’s all we are planning to buy in the future. It’s outside in the Florida weather all year long and we just have to spray it with the hose and wipe it down occasionally. No fading or mildewing or any other problems. We are very happy with it and tell everyone about it.Thanks so much for such great quality and long-lasting furniture!”

-Kelly Heddon

octagon picnic table 4

“We absolutely love our glider we bought for our deck. My wife likes sitting outside to read etc.”

-Harry Yoder

Find your Poly Furniture