POLYWOOD vs. Other Poly Lumber Brands: Berlin Gardens & Seaside Casual Compared
POLYWOOD, Berlin Gardens and Seaside Casual all make long-lasting, low-maintenance outdoor furniture from recycled HDPE poly lumber. The difference is in how it's built. POLYWOOD is known for approachable prices and a huge color range. Berlin Gardens is handcrafted by Amish craftsmen in Ohio with 25+ finishes, and it's our showroom team's top pick. Seaside Casual is built for coastal homes.
Reviewed by the Patio Productions showroom team · Last updated October 2026
POLYWOOD vs. Berlin Gardens vs. Seaside Casual at a Glance
| Feature | POLYWOOD | Berlin Gardens | Seaside Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Recycled HDPE poly lumber, made in-house | PolyTuf HDPE poly lumber | Proprietary recycled HDPE lumber |
| Where it's made | USA | Millersburg, Ohio, by Amish craftsmen | USA |
| Build | Machine-made, high volume | Machine precision plus hand finishing | Built for salt air and coastal sun |
| Style | Classic to modern, wide color range | Traditional to modern, 25+ finishes incl. two-tone | Clean, coastal, traditional to contemporary |
| Weight | Heaviest; harder to move | Solid and stable | Solid and stable |
| Maintenance | Very low | Very low | Very low |
| Price | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Best for | Budget-minded classic pieces | Heirloom craftsmanship and custom finishes | Coastal homes |
| Shop | Shop POLYWOOD | Shop Berlin Gardens | Shop Seaside Casual |
First, a Quick Word on "Composite"
Shop for composite outdoor furniture and you'll run into some confusing terms. True composites blend plastic with wood fibers. POLYWOOD, Berlin Gardens and Seaside Casual are actually poly lumber: solid HDPE (high-density polyethylene) boards, often made from recycled milk jugs, with the color running all the way through. That's why they won't splinter, rot or need painting. For a deeper dive, see our guide to choosing the best composite patio furniture and the history of composite materials.
Watch the summary video
POLYWOOD: The Poly Lumber Pioneer
POLYWOOD entered the market in 1990 and helped turn recycled plastic furniture into what it is today. According to their CEO, "we recycle an average of 400,000 milk jugs a day." That's a lot of plastic kept out of landfills.
POLYWOOD is fully vertically integrated: it buys the milk jugs, grinds them up, makes the HDPE pellets, and turns those into the lumber for its furniture.
- Strengths: approachable prices, a deep catalog of classic designs and colors, and a newer PW Designer Series with more modern lines.
- Keep in mind: POLYWOOD's dense HDPE makes it one of the heaviest options, so it's harder to move and worth checking on elevated wooden decks. Fit and finish on the budget lines can fall short of pricier brands.
Berlin Gardens: Our Pick for Craftsmanship
The Mayhew Sling dining collection by Berlin Gardens combines handcrafting with modern poly lumber.
Berlin Gardens builds its furniture in Millersburg, Ohio, where Amish craftsmen pair traditional woodworking techniques with PolyTuf, its own proprietary HDPE poly lumber. The result is outdoor furniture with the kind of detail you'd expect from fine indoor pieces.
- Handcrafted: advanced machinery for precision, then hand finishing for detail. If Berlin Gardens has a lead on anything, it's right here.
- More finish choices: 25+ finishes, including two-tone combinations, so you can match your home exactly.
- Wide range: dining sets, deep seating, Adirondack chairs, gliders, swings and fire tables.
- No upkeep: no painting, staining, sealing or sanding, ever.
When customers ask our showroom team for heirloom-quality outdoor furniture with exceptional comfort, we point them to Berlin Gardens or Seaside Casual.
Seaside Casual: Built for the Coast
Seaside Casual is made to stand up to salty coastal air.
Seaside Casual focuses on furniture that can take everything a coastal home throws at it: salt air, strong sun and sea breezes. If you've lived near the coast, you know how quickly that salt can wreak havoc on patio furniture.
- Coastal-tough: recycled HDPE lumber built for salt air and sun.
- Clean styling: pieces that range from traditional to contemporary, including the modern MAD collection.
- Wide range: chairs, benches, dining sets and accessories.
The Showdown: POLYWOOD vs. Berlin Gardens vs. Seaside Casual
Durability
All three are built from HDPE poly lumber that resists weather, stains and fading, so on durability, it's essentially a draw.
WINNER: It's a tie!
Style, Finish and Comfort
The Mayhew Stationary Adirondack Chairs bring an elevated sophistication to poly lumber.
POLYWOOD offers a wide range of classic styles and colors. Berlin Gardens stands out for its Amish craftsmanship, exceptional attention to detail and the widest choice of finishes. Seaside Casual brings clean, coastal styling.
WINNER: Berlin Gardens
Eco-Friendliness
All three use recycled plastic. POLYWOOD's vertically integrated manufacturing, recycling around 400,000 milk jugs a day, is especially impressive.
WINNER: POLYWOOD
Price
Poly lumber costs more than many traditional materials, but it lasts for decades. POLYWOOD is the most budget-friendly of the three, while Berlin Gardens and Seaside Casual cost more for their craftsmanship and finishes.
WINNER: POLYWOOD for budget; Berlin Gardens for long-term value
Making Your Choice
- Budget: POLYWOOD for the most approachable price; Berlin Gardens or Seaside Casual if you're investing for the long haul.
- Style and finish: Berlin Gardens for the most finish choices and handcrafted detail.
- Location: Seaside Casual or Berlin Gardens for coastal homes.
- Weight: if you'll move pieces often or have an elevated wooden deck, factor in POLYWOOD's weight.
The Bottom Line
All three brands make durable, low-maintenance, eco-conscious poly lumber furniture. POLYWOOD is a solid choice for classic, budget-friendly pieces. But for customers who want heirloom craftsmanship, more finishes and exceptional comfort, our showroom team recommends Berlin Gardens, with Seaside Casual a great pick for coastal homes. For more options, see our 10 Best Outdoor Patio Furniture Brands of 2026.
Not sure which fits your space? Our design team can help, or visit our San Diego showroom to sit in them side by side. We'll keep a comfortable seat ready for you.
FAQs: POLYWOOD vs. Other Poly Lumber Brands
Not technically. POLYWOOD is solid HDPE (high-density polyethylene) poly lumber with no wood fibers. People often call it composite, but poly lumber is the more accurate term. Berlin Gardens and Seaside Casual also build with HDPE poly lumber.
Both use HDPE poly lumber; the difference is how it's built and finished. POLYWOOD makes its furniture at high volume and is known for approachable prices. Berlin Gardens' furniture is made by Amish craftsmen in Millersburg, Ohio, combining machine precision with hand finishing, with 25+ finishes including two-tone options.
Berlin Gardens is our showroom team's pick. For customers who want heirloom-quality craftsmanship, more finish choices and exceptional comfort, we point them to Berlin Gardens. For coastal homes, Seaside Casual is another excellent choice.
Yes, it's one of the heaviest options. POLYWOOD's dense HDPE adds stability but makes pieces harder to move, so check that larger pieces are suitable for elevated wooden decks or balconies.
Very little. Poly lumber never needs painting, staining or sealing. Occasional cleaning with mild soap and water keeps it looking new.
Yes. These brands build with recycled plastic. POLYWOOD recycles an average of 400,000 milk jugs a day, and Berlin Gardens and Seaside Casual also use recycled HDPE in their lumber.
Our San Diego showroom at 2161 Hancock St. Stop by to compare finishes and sit in the pieces, or our design team can help you choose the right brand for your space.
