What is Poly Outdoor Furniture?

The time you spend outdoors creates special memories. You love to lounge poolside as the kids play, grill delicious food with friends, and enjoy wine while admiring the sunset. These happy moments will live with you for a long time, so why shouldn't your outdoor furniture do the same? PHAT Tommy's poly outdoor furniture provides an ideal combination of an environmentally-friendly product with aesthetic appeal and durability, perfect for creating outdoor memories.

But what is polywood furniture? And what makes it a superior outdoor furniture material to wood, metal, and cheap plastic counterparts? This article will define poly furniture and outline the pros and cons to show you why it's the best outdoor patio furniture.

What is Poly Furniture?

First and foremost, poly furniture has many different aliases; which understandably causes confusion for buyers and sellers alike. You'll frequently hear poly furniture referred to as: polywood, poly wood, trex, poly resin, hdpe, poly plastic, recycled plastic, all weather, & weather resistant patio furniture. 

Those synonyms are all generally used interchangeably. Technically speaking, however, there are differences in the adjectives / materials listed above - and it all depends on the context. 

"POLYWOOD" is in fact an outdoor patio furniture brand that, you guessed it, sells poly furniture (a type of material used to make patio furniture), just like us at Phat Tommy. Because of the similarity between the actual material type and the brand name, the two phrases, "POLYWOOD" & poly furniture are often used interchangeably. But most people view, "poly wood" as an alternative outdoor patio furniture material to metal and traditional wood materials. 

Poly, poly resin, hdpe, plastic and all weather can generally be used interchangeably to describe all brands of poly material. However, the overall quality, durability, and comfortability varies greatly across the poly brands.

Below are the reasons why Phat Tommy's poly outdoor furniture is superior to other brands like POLYWOOD. But to summarize why Phat Tommy makes superior poly furniture, this is our mission:

We offer high-end poly furniture products for a fair price - making it our priority to keep low margins passing on the savings to you, the customer. You don't need to filter between claims of “good", “better", and “best”, as our poly furniture is always premium.

What is Poly Outdoor Furniture Made of? 

Phat Tommy's poly outdoor furniture is made from 100% recyclable polyethylene plastic. Polyethylene plastic is also referred to as High-density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a strong, durable and recycled plastic commonly used to make milk jugs and water bottles.

At Phat Tommy, we take this recycled plastic and create small poly resin pieces. This poly resin is then sorted, washed, and molded into durable poly lumber planks used to make our popular poly furniture. 

By supporting Phat Tommy's recycled poly outdoor furniture, you not only have durable, long-lasting patio furniture, but you're also helping decrease the amount of plastic waste that enters our landfills and oceans each year.

How Phat Tommy's Poly Outdoor Furniture is Made

When containers made of HDPE are appropriately recycled, they are sorted and sent to our manufacturers. Our manufacturers shred the plastic containers into small pieces. After the pieces are shredded, they are cleaned and sanitized to the highest purity standard. Once clean, they are melted down to create a thick liquid. Next, color and UVI that protects the piece from fading are mixed in. (We offer 10 classic poly furniture colors across our entire line of poly chairs and tables.

This liquid is then poured into molds to create poly lumber-like planks. Once the piece has cooled and hardened, they are sanded and finished. These planks are then used to assemble the various parts of poly outdoor furniture - such as our best-selling tall adirondack chairs with table, shown below.  

Benefits of Poly Furniture

1. Strong & Durable

One of the most significant advantages of our poly outdoor furniture is its durability. HDPE does not lose its density or strength during the recycling process. This allows us to provide an environmentally-friendly product while also promising durability. 

• Thick poly lumber
• Won't blow away in the wind
• 450 lb. weight capacity

2. Comfortable

Our poly chairs are equally comfortable. Each is handcrafted in the USA by local artisans that prioritize contoured seat and chair backs. 

• Easy to get in and out these patio chairs
• Contoured seats
• Wide arm rests
• Tall adirondack chairs feature comfortable foot rests

3. All Weather

The poly planks are also are non-porous, so they can take on any environment without breaking down. Compared to wood or aluminum patio furniture, poly lumber is the most resistant to water and the elements - making our furniture the best all weather patio furniture!

• Durable - thick poly lumber resists fading, cracking, or rotting
• No Expensive Covers - leave this furniture outside all year long
• Easy to Clean - a simple wash cloth with water and soap does the trick
• Sturdy - won't blow away in the wind
• Fade Resistant - UV inhibitors prohibit fading colors
• Waterproof - marine-grade stainless steel fasteners

Poly furniture is the best coastal outdoor furniture for hot & humid regions that are constantly exposed to sun, wind, & salt water

4. The only potential Con of poly furniture is cost, so, why is poly wood furniture so expensive? 

There's no denying that poly furniture is expensive. But when you factor in the overall quality and longevity of this patio furniture, it's a matter of what you value. At Phat Tommy, we value durable and beautiful patio furniture that will last you years with little to no maintenance. 

We pride ourselves on our ability to provide affordable, high-quality, and environmentally-friendly products.

All of our poly furniture is made in the USA with quality poly lumber and stainless steel hardware. Start enjoying your patio knowing your furniture will remain beautiful year after year. Our 10-year warranty backs our belief in the durability and quality of our product.

Unlike wood, metals, and other cheap poly plastic alternatives, Phat Tommy's poly outdoor furniture is safe from mold and harmful bacteria. It's also safe from various types of pests. This makes it the safest option for families.

Leave your poly furniture outside all year long - even in snowy winter conditions

 

Poly Outdoor Furniture FAQs

 1. Can Poly Furniture be Left Outside All Winter Long?

Traditional wood patio furniture should not be left outside in the winter, however, Phat Tommy's origins started in the Midwest, so weather resistance is a top priority.

Our all weather poly lumber is made of thick, recycled, & environmentally friendly poly material built to withstand hot summers, cold winters, and windy coastal regions. Making these chairs an excellent addition to your patio pool area, front porch, or deck.

2. What is Better: Wood, Metal, or Poly Plastic Patio Chairs? 

Wood, metal, and poly adirondack chairs all have their own advantages, however, poly plastic adirondack chairs have a few unique advantages that make them the most popular choice. Mainly, the combination of a strong, durable material that requires minimal upkeeping evening in harsh weather conditions while also maximizing comfort. 

3. Are Poly Chairs Comfortable?

Yes - Phat Tommy's poly chairs are carefully constructed & contoured on both the back and seat to maximize comfort. 

4. Why is Poly Furniture so Popular?

Poly furniture goes hand in hand with a relaxing, laid-back lifestyle. Poly furniture is popular because it's often the centerpiece of special outdoor moments - bon fires in the backyard, family dinners on the deck, or enjoying a sunset with a loved one. Phat Tommy's poly outdoor furniture helps foster an environment that will create memories that last a lifetime.

5. What is the Most Popular Poly Furniture Color? 

It really depends on your own personal style. White is certainly a top-selling poly furniture color, however, don't discount the idea of making a bold statement with coastal outdoor patio furniture colors such as blue and teal or an earthtone such as weatherwood. For more poly furniture color inspiration check out our guide to popular poly furniture colors. 

6. How to Clean Poly Furniture?

For best results, try our preferred method of cleaning poly furniture:

• Fill a bucket with warm water and just a splash of dish soap
• Using a soft brush or cloth, gently scrub the furniture. Start from the top and work your way down
• Rinse thoroughly with a hose or a clean wet cloth
• Towel or air dry

Check out our guide to cleaning poly furniture for more detailed instructions.