When we moved into our current house about 15 years ago, I was most pleased with the large backyard. I had the perfect idea: family barbecues, lazy Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee and evenings around the campfire by the light of garlands. And, of course, some classic Adirondack chairs to complete the stage.
At that time, I didn’t pay much attention to the material. I bought a couple of cheap plastic Adirondack chairs at a local hardware store and quit. They looked good for a season or two, but then reality hit me—they faded, cracked, and swayed. That’s how my long-term journey of trying out plastic and polymer Adirondack chairs began in different settings: in our own backyard, in a small house in upstate New York, and in a rented house near the coast.
Thanks to the sun, snow, and salty air, I’ve learned a lot more than I ever expected about what these chairs are made of, how durable they are, and what’s really worth investing in.
So if you’re planning to add Adirondack chairs to the space or replace existing ones, then this is a deep dive for you.
What are resin and plastic Adirondack chairs?
Before we go too far, let’s clarify what we’re talking about.
Plastic Adirondack Chairs
Plastic chairs are usually made of inexpensive polyethylene or polypropylene made by injection molding. They are lightweight, affordable, and usually sold in large retail stores.
Adirondack chairs made of resin.
On the other hand, polymer resin chairs are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is often recycled. They are more dense, heavier, and often protected from UV rays. Some brands even produce a resin “resembling wood” that mimics the appearance of wood.
The main industrial differences:
Plastic: die-cast, thin-walled, often hollow
Resin (HDPE): Extruded or molded from a solid, dense material, often with the addition of UV stabilizers.
My first experience with each of them
The scene with the plastic chair
When we bought our first plastic Adirondack chairs, I was thrilled-mainly because they cost only $20. They were light as a feather, so I could easily mow them down or drag them to the fireplace. But over the course of two summers, they faded a lot and began to crack in the place where the moldings on the back came into contact with the seat.
I remember one cold October day when my brother-in-law sat down and his arm broke. It was ugly.
Then I switched to resin chairs from POLYWOOD, and later I tried a couple of chairs from Trex Outdoor Furniture. It was a completely different beast-heavier, smoother, and much more durable.
In our cabin in upstate New York, where chairs stand even in heavy snowfall, I noticed that resin models do not become brittle or break like plastic ones. What about renting on the beach? Resin chairs withstand salty air and strong winds much better than plastic options.
Deep Dive Materials: What you’re really sitting on.
Plastic (polyethylene or polypropylene)
Light density
It is susceptible to destruction under the influence of ultraviolet radiation
Tendency to twist or crack at extreme temperatures
It is usually made of primary plastic
Resins (HDPE)
High density and durable structure
It contains UV stabilizers and color-resistant compounds.
Some brands use 100% recycled materials.
Resistant to rot, mildew and mildew by touch
Structure and pleasant-to-touch material
Plastic: thin, sometimes with sharp edges, has little elasticity when sitting
Resin: smooth, often woody, does not bend, feels heavier
Sound check
Plastic: a dull, cheap-sounding knock
Resin: hard, like a wooden board
Strength and durability
Based on my experience (and Consumer Reports data), these two parameters are combined as follows.
Life expectancy:
Plastic: 2-4 years (less if exposed to the sun)
Resin: 10-20 years with minimal fading or wear
Weather resistance:
Climate zone
Plastic chairs
Resin chairs
Cold and snow
Cracks, fragility
Does not change, remains stable
Warm and dry
Deformed, fading
Slight fading after ~8 years
Coastal / Salty
It is not susceptible to rust, but weak
Resistant to corrosion and salt exposure
Description of the infographic: “Characteristics of materials depending on the climatic zone”
a 3×3 grid showing the types of chairs in different climatic conditions, with icons:
A snowflake from the cold
The sun is for a hot/dry day.
Waves on the coast Each cell displays a green flag indicating good performance or a red x indicating a malfunction.
Comfort and design
I didn’t expect to hear an opinion about the comfort of the chairs, but after enough summer evenings and morning coffee, it really is.
Resin: greater tilt, wider armrests, more durable back moldings.
My mother, who is over 70, has always preferred plastic chairs because they are more stable and easier to get up from. And my teenage son? All he wanted was something he could quickly rearrange into the shade, so plastic won his vote for mobility.
Plastic: limited number of colors, mostly white/brown
Resin: dozens of colors, artificial wood, custom engraving
Appearance and aesthetics
One of the main reasons I switched to resin was the appearance.
Plastic: glossy, glossy matte, cheap in appearance
Resin: matte or satin finish, woody texture.
Over time, plastic tends to look worn out, especially in the sun. Resins, especially high-density polyethylene wood, retain their color much longer due to UV radiation inhibitors.
The street style has really changed towards rustic, modern and natural shades, and the resin options fit perfectly into this trend.
Environmental impacts
Recyclability
Plastic: often the edges are not recyclable
Resin: Many brands use recycled milk cans; they are fully recyclable
Safety
Plastic: when broken, it can leach chemicals.
Resin: inert during formation; not amenable to fumigation
Infographic description: “resin and plastic chairs” The life cycle of plastic chairs
Illustrated flow chart:
Resin: Recycled milk cans → HDPE wood → Chair → 15 years of use → recycling
Plastic: pure plastic → chair → 2 years of use → landfill
Cost analysis
Feature
Plastic
Pitch
Initial costs
$20–$50
$150–$300
The exchange cycle
Every 2-4 years
Every 15-20 years
Cost for 5 years
~$100
~160 USD (one-time)
return on investment ratio
Low
Tall
Resin initially costs more, but it is bought every few decades. Plastic is cheaper, but they pay for it as a substitute.
Care of plastic products
Plastic can be easily cleaned with a mouthwash, but stains or mold can form when wet.
Resin: can be wiped with soap and water, resistant to mold formation, does not decompose
We had a plastic chair on which, after one rainy summer, a strange pink mold appeared. Resin chairs? There have never been any problems, even after a long winter.
Security issues
Stability
Plastic: easy to fill due to its light weight
Resin: much heavier, does not blow through the wind
Structural strength
Plastic: handles break under heavy weight
Resin: can withstand loads up to 300-400 pounds
Children and pets
Chairs made of polymer material are more durable and safer when children climb in and out of them, or when they are scratched by dogs.
Tenants: plastic for short-term seats with low seating arrangement
Homeowners: resin for long-term use
Beach houses: resin for protection from salts.
In places with windy weather: resin stays in place
Older users: resin is more stable and easier to lift
Shoppers on a tight budget: plastic costs more than the original price
Performance comparison table
Feature
Plastic
Pitch
Stability
Low
Tall
Weight
Light
Strong
UV resistance
Bad
Great
Comfort
Main
Ergonomic
Aesthetic
Cheap
Reward
Price
Low
Medium-high
Stability
Low
Tall
Support
Moderate
Easy
Market Statistics And Trends
According to the Garden Retail network report for 2024, sales of high-density polyethylene furniture increased by 23% year-on-year.
A survey conducted by Consumer Reports in 2023 found that 78% of homeowners prefer resin to plastic for long-term outdoor use.
According to a report from a home improvement retailer, retail sales of Adirondack plastic chairs will peak within 18 months due to structural failure or fading.
Buyer’s Guide: How to choose according to your needs
Climate
Cold winter or hot summer? Pitch.
Soft, dry areas? Plastic could do.
Budget
If you have some cash now, start with plastic, but plan on upgrading.
If you want to buy once and be ready, then it’s worth taking the time to use resin.
Use it
Do you use it from time to time? Plastic is normal.
For daily use or for entertaining guests? The resin won.
Aesthetic preferences
Do you want a harmonious interior or a wooden finish? The resin gives variety.
Conclusion: My recommendation
After years of tinkering with lawn chairs, watching them wither, break, or survive, I now use exclusively resin-made Adirondack chairs.
They are more comfortable, look better, last longer, and feel like a real piece of outdoor furniture rather than a temporary seat. Yes, they cost more, but in the long run? I would make the same choice again.
