When it comes to the type of material your outdoor furnishings are made from, there are plenty of choices in today’s market. Many purists insist on only solid wood furniture, such as teak or Ipe wood, while others swear by the durability and good looks of aluminum. But there is another choice we’d like you to consider, and that is polymer. Here is what you need to know about this versatile material and why it might be the best choice for your next outdoor furniture purchase.
Polymer is a type of durable synthetic material. A designation you will often see is MGP, which stands for “Marine Grade Polymer.” Another choice is HDPE, or “High Density Polyethylene.” Both names refer to a plastic made to resemble lumber and an environmentally friendly alternative to wood. The material itself is recyclable and is often made from recycled plastics such as milk jugs.
Telescope Casual furniture made from polymerMany of our top outdoor furnishing manufacturers, such as Telescope Casual furniture, use polymer to create pieces that are hard to distinguish from real wood. It is even nearly as heavy as wooden outdoor furniture – a great advantage during high wind days – but comes with many distinct benefits.
In addition to being good for the environment, HDPE or MGP outdoor furniture resists swelling, rotting and warping, so it is very durable. Pieces such as a Telescope Casual marine grade polymer top table are made to last, with a hefty warranty of 15 years.
Polymer outdoor furniture is also immune to peeling, cracking or separation. The color pigment goes the entire way through the thickness of the material so it will never need to be repainted or sealed, unlike its wood counterparts. Look for pieces that are colored with UV-stabilizing pigments to avoid fading.
Polymer outdoor furniture is also very easy to maintain. Although we recommend covering it during the off season, these pieces can be left out in the elements with little to no adverse effects. When outdoor season starts, simply rinse off your polymer furniture with a spray of water. Use a mild detergent solution to remove any stains or spills but do be careful not to use an abrasive scrubber or nylon pad. After rinsing, let it air dry before covering.
MGP is often used to craft seating pieces and outdoor tables. Because it does not “give” like real wood, you may want to take a polymer chair for a test drive to ensure you find it comfortable. Polymer chaise lounge chairs with a sling seat are very popular and you may find them to be cozier than a seat made of synthetic boards.
A webbed chair may be comfortable than one made from all HDPESome HDPE outdoor furniture is made to resemble rattan material, such as a chaise lounge sofa with gorgeously styled frame. Since polymer is so much more durable than real rattan, it just makes sense to go with this option, especially to withstand the marine layer fog, sea spray and other adverse weather effects found here in Southern California.
When you want beautiful pieces made to last and look like new for many decades, polymer outdoor furniture is an excellent choice.
Poly lumber is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), UV-inhibited pigment systems, foaming compounds, and selected process additives. The HDPE primary raw material is derived from post-consumer bottle waste, such as milk and detergent bottles or other HDPE post industrial material. This material is cleaned by a decontamination process to a high purity level, which removes contaminants such as food residue, paper, and adhesives. It is then compounded into a rigid board stock material; with the resulting finished product containing over 90% recycled plastic by weight. This material is then used for furniture and other applications where wood is traditionally used. The benefits for the environment are:
No trees are used to make this material
A literal rainbow of colors available
Because HDPE products are made with a single, purified polymer, they are manufactured to exacting, reproducible specifications such as common lumber dimensions. Poly has exceptional resistance to corrosive substances, oil and fuels, insects, fungi, salt spray, and other environmental stresses. They do not absorb moisture; therefore, they will not rot, splinter, or crack. HDPE products have excellent weathering resistance. These products require no water proofing, painting, staining, or similar maintenance when used in many exterior applications.
Besides keeping plastic bottles from taking up space in landfills for hundreds of years there other benefits to creating outdoor furniture from poly?
Tables and chairs made from poly furniture are stylish, sophisticated, and most importantly, comfortable. It doesn’t get much better, in my opinion. So next time you’re enjoying an afternoon or evening on the patio in your recycled poly chairs, know that you are doing your part to help the environment by doing nothing other than sitting down. (garden.com)
Lots of styles and color choices
A high pressure power washer may be used for regular maintenance to keep your furniture looking like new. Pressure should not exceed 1,500 psi, which is the equivalent of a car wash. The surface characteristics of the product may require the use of a soft bristle brush to get into the creases.
Amish Woodwork carries a large selection of poly furniture in a wide variety of colors. Stop by and see what we can do for you!
Info taken from Garden.com
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