Adirondack chair: teak vs recycled HDPE
Teak is the one wood that makes the argument close. It still needs oiling.
Teak is oily, dense and naturally rot-resistant, which is why it has been on the decks of ships for centuries. A teak Adirondack chair is a beautiful object and, left alone, it will last decades. What it will not do is stay the color you bought it. Within a year outdoors it silvers to grey; keeping the honey tone means oiling it every spring and, realistically, a light sand every couple of years. Many owners love the grey. Many do not, and that is the whole decision.
HDPE does not silver, oil, sand or split. It is not as beautiful up close as good teak, because nothing is. It is a good deal less expensive, it weighs about the same, and it is the color you bought it forever.
| The other | Greens.ly | |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Real grain; silvers to grey outdoors | Uniform, matte, stays its color |
| Upkeep to keep the color | Oil yearly, sand occasionally | None |
| Rot | Very resistant | Impossible |
| Sustainability | Plantation teak if certified; often not | 500 recycled milk jugs per chair |
| Price | $600–1,500 | $229 USD |
| Warranty | Typically 1–5 years | Made in the USA, 20 years |
When teak is the right answer
If you love the silvered look, or love the oiling, and the budget is there. If what you actually want is the chair in the photograph for twenty years without touching it, HDPE wins on every line but one.
Questions
Is teak more comfortable?
Same shape, same comfort. Teak feels warmer to the hand on a cool morning; HDPE feels the same as painted wood.