With so many pieces of outdoor furniture in the market, it can be hard to choose what’s best for your outdoor space. There are several factors to consider and the material is one of them. Outdoor furniture can be made from different materials but we will look at two popular choices of material for outdoor furniture: teak vs Polywood.
Teak wood is a material sourced from a teak tree and it has a high concentration of rubber and natural oils making it weather, pest, and termite-resistant. Polywood, on the other hand, is made from recycled plastics (HDPE) and is also an all-weather material used for outdoor furniture.
In this article, we will be talking about the difference between teak and Polywood, and we will be looking closely at both materials’ pros and cons. As someone who has both HDPE and wood furniture, I definitely have my favorites but, if you want to know which is better for you, make sure to read until the end!
Polywood vs Teak
Polywood and teak are two different materials but both are popular choices for outdoor use. Here is a summary comparing Polywood and teak:
| TEAK | POLYWOOD | |
| Durability and Strength | Made from teak wood, teak furniture are strong and durable since teak has high concentrations of rubber and natural oil, especially if Grade A teak is used. If taken care of properly, teak furniture can last for decades. | Polywood is made from recycled plastic, and plastics are known to be unbreakable. Polywood furniture can also last for a long time. |
| Resistance | Since teak has natural oils, teak furniture is weather, pest, and termite-resistant. | Polywood is an all-weather material and it can withstand all four seasons. |
| Appearance | Teak has a golden honey color and most teak furniture has the original coloration of the teak. You can paint teak furniture but the paint can penetrate the wood’s coating which can cause it to crack. | Since Polywood is made of composite materials, it is available in different colors other than wood-colored pieces of furniture. The brand Polywood has fun colors such as green, blue, red, etc. |
| Maintenance | Pieces of teak furniture are low maintenance but they do require cleaning when they get dusty or grimy. You can clean teak furniture with mild soap and water and brush the dirt off gently. Do not power wash teak furniture as power washing can strip away the teak’s natural and protective oils. | Polywood is very easy to clean. Just brush the furniture with soap and water. You can also clean Polywood with a pressure washer equipped with a 40-degree fan tip that is rated no higher than 1,500 psi. Just make sure to not pressure wash one spot for too long as it can damage the furniture. |
| Versatility | Both can be used in outdoor spaces. Can be used as dining sets, lounge chairs, etc. | Both can be used in outdoor spaces. Can be used as dining sets, lounge chairs, etc. |
What Is Teak?
The teak tree (Tectona grandis) is a large tree that is native to India and Southeast Asia. This tree can grow up to 50 meters and live for up to 100 years. The teak wood that this tree produces is a dense type of hardwood that is high in natural oils and rubber.
Teak is considered “The King of Woods” when it comes to furniture material as teak wood is strong and durable. Teak wood is also resistant to splitting and cracking which makes it good for outdoor use. Teak wood is also weather-resistant which prevents the wood from warping in the long run.
Aside from being durable, the teak’s natural oils are highly-concentrated and have a very strong smell which puts off termites and pests.
Pros And Cons Of Teak Outdoor Furniture
As teak is considered “The King of Woods” in furniture, there are definitely advantages of choosing teak over other materials. But, there are cons as well.
Pros
Teak is very strong, durable, and can withstand all kinds of weather. Teak has a high content of rubber and natural oils making it weather and pest-resistant.
If you are looking for pieces for outdoor space or patio furniture, teak is a good choice as it does not need a lot of maintenance to keep them looking good. However, being low-maintenance does not mean you don’t need to clean teak furniture at all. You still need to clean your furniture as needed, especially if it gets too dusty or grimy. You can just use mild soap and water and gently scrub the dirt on the wood then rinse it with water.
Cons
Teak is durable and sturdy but it does depend on the teak wood.
Teak wood has different grades: A to C. The one with the highest concentration of natural oils is the teak’s heartwood. The heartwood is the tree’s pillar of support and the teak’s heartwood is a Grade A teak. This means that it is the highest quality of teak wood you can get.
If you want teak furniture that lasts long, make sure to get Grade A teak as these pieces of furniture will last longer when placed outdoors. The grains of real teak is long and straight and have a darker color than the rest of the wood.
Another thing that might be a disadvantage of teak is it does change its color over time. The change in color is due to weathering, or long exposure to the sun and rain.
From its golden honey color, teak will change its color to a silver-grey patina. But, this change in color does not affect the quality of the teal no matter what grade it is. There are ways to return dull-colored teak wood back to its golden color by using a silicone-grade teak sealer. This seals the teak’s pores to prevent it from cracking.
You might think of using teak oil but, some manufacturers advise against using it as it might weaken the wood’s structure making it brittle and weak.
What Is Polywood?
Polywood is a brand that started creating outdoor furniture from recycled materials and they started in 1990. Polywood uses high-density polyethylene plastic, or HDPE, in its products. HDPE is made of recycled plastic and it is a stiff material that can withstand extreme weather.
Since Polywood is made from recycled materials, it is greatly used for outdoor furniture as it does not need to be painted, sanded, or grained, unlike wood furniture. Polywood’s all-weather durability makes it great for beach houses or outdoor spaces with swimming pools.
Adirondack chairs are Polywood’s first pieces of furniture and is seen in residential and commercial places all over the U.S.
Pros And Cons Of Polywood Outdoor Furniture
Polywood outdoor furniture is usually seen in outdoor spaces with pools, at the beach, and even in residential lots. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of having Polywood outdoor furniture.
Pros
Since Polywood lumber is made from HDPE plastic, it is very durable and can withstand all four seasons. Polywood also contained UV-inhibiting pigment systems in its products that limit the fading of the material. It also does not contain any wood or natural fiber which makes the furniture last longer.
Polywood furniture is also easy to clean. You can use mild dish soap and water to scrub down your Polywood furniture set. You can also do a high-pressure deep cleaner to clean them. This makes Polywood a good pool deck furniture as it will not rot when exposed to water for too long. When you do use a pressure washer, make sure not to pressure wash one spot as it can damage the furniture.
If you are more into furniture that is in any other color than a wood tone, Polywood can also give you more options for colors, unlike traditional wood furniture.
Cons
Since Polywood is made from HDPE plastic, Polywood furniture can absorb heat and it can get hot when you sit on it. Polywood furniture is also heavy and their chairs alone weigh an average of 35 lbs. to 50 lbs. each. If you are alone, it might be hard to move Polywood furniture by yourself. But, if you live in a windy area, this might be an advantage as Polywood will not be easily blown away by the wind, unlike aluminum patio furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Leave Teak Outside In Winter?
Yes, you can. You can either cover them or leave them as is. If you going to cover your teak furniture, make sure to use a cover that can let the teak breathe. Before covering teak furniture, you can apply a teak sealer to create a thin waterproof coating on it. This can prevent moisture from getting into the cracks of the teak wood.
Is Polywood Better Than Wood?
Polywood definitely has advantages over wood. Polywood furniture can last longer as it is made of HDPE plastic and is essentially easier to maintain than wood.
Does Polywood Fade In The Sun?
Polywood has UV-inhibiting pigment systems so it limits fading of the material in the sun. But, Polywood can still fade, especially if it is exposed to the sun for a long time after many years of use.
Conclusion
Both teak and Polywood have weather-resistant properties making them last year-round against all seasons. If you want traditional wood for furniture, go for the teak. But, If you want outdoor furniture that is simple to maintain, for the Polywood.
There are other outdoor furniture materials out there like wrought iron, aluminum, or synthetic wicker. Teak and Polywood are both heavy materials and if you live in a coastal area, it is best to go for either material for your outdoor living room instead of lightweight ones such as aluminum furniture. At the end of the day, these materials have a very different look to them and the material you will choose will depend on how you want your space to look.
We hope this article has been helpful in your decision-making when it comes to outdoor furniture material. If you have questions, do let us know!
