Every industry has its jargon, descriptive terms, and unique brand name quirks – the patio furniture biz is no different. If you’ve ever shopped for polywood or composite patio furniture, you probably know what I’m talking about. There’s always been some confusion between polywood lumber, POLYWOOD, and composite patio furniture terminology. Well, let’s bring a little clarity to the clutter today. I want to make sure you understand the patio products you’re buying… and POLYWOOD is a well-known brand that’s definitely worth getting to know a little better. So, what’s the difference between polywood lumber, POLYWOOD, and composite?
POLYWOOD vs Polywood Lumber vs Composite – The Short Answer:
- Polywood lumber refers to the material (recycled plastic) that resembles but doesn’t necessarily contain any wood fibers
- POLYWOOD is a specific brand whose proprietary material is a polywood lumber containing no wood
- Composite is a material combines plastic and wood fibers
- Polywood lumber (and by extension POLYWOOD) and composite are all durable, weather-resistant options, but they’re not identical
- Comparing durability, maintenance needs, style options, cost, and eco-friendliness can help you choose
But that short answer just skims the surface. For you to make the best recycled plastic patio furniture choice for your outdoor space vision, we need to get into the weeds and understand the nuances that differentiate these materials and options.
What is Polywood Lumber?
So, we’ll tackle these patio furniture terms one at a time, starting with polywood lumber (also called polylumber or plastic lumber). This term isn’t a brand name (but gets confused with POLYWOOD easily since many people simply refer to it as ‘polywood’). Polywood lumber is actually a generic term for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic lumber made from recycled milk jugs and detergent bottles. Modern outdoor furniture manufacturers use this tough material to create furniture that looks like wood.
Also, polywood lumber is crazy durable – we’re talking weather-proof, fade-resistant, and bug-proof. Our customers have happily reported to us stories of leaving their polywood lumber chairs outside through the winter – and they still looked great when spring rolled around. Let’s see real wood furniture do that!
Fun fact: while it’s not usually referred to as polywood lumber, resin wicker uses very similar materials and manufacturing processes to make luxury outdoor furniture that boasts similar durability and resilience, but looks like a modern spin on classic wicker furniture. High-quality resin wicker club chairs by the pool is always a good look!
Photo: Dune Resin Wicker Club Chair
Meet the POLYWOOD Brand
So then what’s POLYWOOD? Any confusion you might feel is justified, believe me. People often use POLYWOOD interchangeably with polywood lumber, but POLYWOOD is actually a specific brand. It’s like how people say “Kleenex” when they mean tissue. This well-known, much-loved brand is best known for its line of polylumber outdoor furniture.
I’ll point out that the POLYWOOD material doesn’t have any wood or wood fibers in it. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s worth understanding. They’re simply creating their custom-made polymer to give your porch that beautiful wood look.
The POLYWOOD company has built a reputation for classic designs and quality American-made construction from recycled plastics. They’ve fine-tuned their manufacturing process over the decades, and have some serious eco-conscious bragging rights. According to their CEO, “we recycle an average of 400,000 milk jugs a day.”1 And they’re even able to recycle over 90% of the scrap material created during their manufacturing process. They’re definitely doing their part to help keep plastics from going into landfills and oceans.
Their pieces tend to be a bit pricier than generic polywood, but their proven craftsmanship is well worth it. It’s worth noting that POLYWOOD patio furniture tends to be heavy, so it’s not ideal for arrangements that need to be changed regularly or for non-load-bearing floors.
Explore POLYWOOD’s durable and comfortable Adirondack chair options:
Understanding Composite Furniture
Composite patio furniture is kind of like polylumber’s step brother. Similar to polywood lumber, it utilizes recycled plastics (usually HDPE), but then combines it with wood fibers (sawdust, shavings, etc) to further enhance that real-wood look and feel. Brands like Seaside Casual and Berlin Gardens use composite materials to make a wide variety of luxury patio furniture that our customers consistently love.
And – similar to polywood lumber – composite starts with recycled HDPE, keeping plastics out of oceans and landfills. And they also create similarly durable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture.
I actually thought composite was just a fancier type of polywood when I first heard about it. It’s an easy mistake to make, but now you don’t have to look as silly as I did.
Comparing Durability – Polywood + POLYWOOD’s Slight Edge
Here’s the great news – polywood lumber, POLYWOOD, and composite furniture are all built to withstand the elements. They’re weather-resistant, warp-proof, and you won’t have to worry about them rotting or splintering like traditional wood.
That said, composite can be slightly more susceptible to scratches or stains over time because of the wood fibers. Polywood and POLYWOOD may have a slight edge for durability, but all three are great long-term investments for your patio.
Maintaining Polywood and Composite Patio Furniture
I love sitting on my patio furniture… not cleaning it. And if you’re like me and want to avoid a ton of upkeep, any one of these three options is a great choice. Natural wood needs regular sealing and staining to go the distance outside. Polywood lumber, POLYWOOD and composite pieces are seriously low-maintenance.
Just scrub them down occasionally with soap and water, or use a light vinegar-water mix for tougher grime. As usual, there’s more you can do to fully protect your recycled plastic patio furniture, but these cleaning steps will get you mostly there.
Style & Customization Options
Back in the early days of polywood furniture, your color and style options were pretty dang limited. We’ve come a long way, though. Today’s polywood lumber and composite pieces range from classic Adirondack chairs to sleek modern sectionals. You can find them in backyard BBQ’s and high-end bistro patios.
Polywood lumber and the POLYWOOD brand both offer an impressive spectrum of hues and designs, so you can fit it right into your existing décor. Composite often aims for more of a natural wood grain look, but luxury composite brands still give you an incredible array of options and styles for your patio.
And of course, all three play well with outdoor fabrics, so you can always mix and match cushions to put your personal stamp on things.
If you want to know how polylumber stacks up against the other top outdoor materials, check out our patio sofa materials comparison blog.
Eco-Friendliness of Polylumber and Composite
More and more, consumers care about their impact on our planet. And I’m happy to say that polywood, POLYWOOD and composite all have serious sustainability benefits. They give plastic waste a second life, keeping milk jugs and such out of landfills. Polywood lumber and POLYWOOD use HDPE plastics, while composite goes a step further and incorporates reclaimed wood fibers too.
A typical polywood Adirondack can contain something like 30-40 recycled milk jugs. I’m no mathlete, but that seems like it would add up quickly. A set of 4 polylumber chairs on a deck is saving a significant amount of waste from the dump. That’s something to ease your mind while you’re relaxing your body, right?
The Price and Value of Polywood and Composite
If you’re looking for the cheapest options for your patio, polywood, POLYWOOD, and composite pieces might not be for you. But my advice? You should be looking at this purchase like an investment. Cheaper options almost always need to be replaced much, much sooner.
And here’s why I think composite and polylumber patio furniture is worth the investment: you’re getting unmatched durability and freedom from maintenance. Not only will your furniture most likely last longer, but you’ll also be saving money on upkeep materials along the way.
POLYWOOD brand does tend to be the highest priced of the three, but many find the quality and customer service worth the premium. With generic polywood and composite, you may have to do more research into the manufacturer to ensure a good experience.
The Final Word: Polywood, POLYWOOD, and Composite Patio Furniture
There’s everything you need to know to understand the differences between polywood lumber, POLYWOOD, and composite. All are excellent choices for creating a low-maintenance luxury outdoor living space, and it really does come down to your personal style preference and budget.
Go with polywood lumber for a big selection of brands and colors. POLYWOOD is your best choice for top-notch quality in classic designs and a proven eco-friendly, American-made product. But if you really want to lean into the look and feel of natural wood while getting the performance of HDPE, composite patio furniture just might be your jam.
Whichever one you choose, our team is ready to answer any questions you still have. Take a look at our online options or swing by our San Diego storeroom. We can’t wait to help you live your best patio life!
ARTICLE REFERENCES:
1) POLYWOOD CEO Doug Rassi on bringing Country Living into outdoor furniture, Brand Capital Marketing
Eben Jol is a creative media specialist with over 10 years of experience creating helpful content for outdoor brands. In that time he has learned the ins and outs of the outdoor industry and has a keen understanding of what topics customers and information seekers need to know when they are planning and furnishing their outdoor space. He has gathered data and reported on industry insights for organizations such as the ICFA, and in his spare time, loves relaxing in his own backyard (and the great outdoors at large) with his wife and 3 kids.
