Everything You Need to Know about Poly Furniture

The designers at Williamsburg Wicker love the options our extensive poly furniture inventory gives our clients. When we work together to create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces there are some common questions our team hears from customers about who are interested in poly. Read our FAQ below to learn more about why poly furniture is such a great design choice.

What is Outdoor Poly Furniture? Think of poly furniture as having the same style as other popular materials such as wood or aluminum without the maintenance. It’s manufactured using high-density poly lumber and stainless-steel fasteners. That means it’s solid, extremely durable, and nothing like the plastic lawn furniture you see at the local big box store.

What is HDPE? Poly furniture is made from recycled, high-density polyethylene or HDPE. This recycled plastic is weather resistant and practically maintenance free.

Can poly outdoor furniture be painted or stained? Poly furniture is built to be durable, so it doesn’t absorb moisture. That means paints or stains aren’t an option because they won’t penetrate the surface and will quickly flake off.  Luckily, Williamsburg Wicker offers a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from so no DIY projects are necessary.

Will the sun make my poly furniture too hot? Poly material doesn’t absorb as much heat as wood and isn’t reflective like metal furniture, so it stays relatively cool in the sun. It works so well in direct sunlight that it’s often used for playground slides.

Will the color fade? The HDPE material used in outdoor furniture contains ultra-violet stabilizers and while no material is entirely resistant to fading in the sun, poly is pretty close. You can expect some very minor fading over time in poly furniture and it can be more noticeable in brighter colors like bright red, yellow, etc.

Is outdoor poly furniture low maintenance? Poly furniture is comprised of solid color material, so it doesn’t need the staining or painting maintenance that wooden outdoor furniture requires. Outdoor poly furniture can easily be cleaned with a hose, hand-washed, or power-washed (1500 psi or less) with water and any type of gentle soap. 

Do I need to cover my poly furniture? HDPE poly doesn’t absorb water and is very weather resistant so it can be left outside in all seasons. There’s no need to cover it unless that’s your preference. Covering poly furniture does protect it from the sun in high UV environments and can help prevent potential fading over the long run.

Should I buy furniture cushions? At Williamsburg Wicker we love cushions and accessories, but they aren’t a necessity for poly furniture. It’s ergonomic (we’ve sat on them all!) and the poly doesn’t conduct heat or cold so it’s comfortable year-round. However, it doesn’t hurt to look, and our designers are happy to help you find the best match for your outdoor space.

Which poly brand should I choose? Williamsburg Wicker carries the highest-quality brands in the industry and our designers can help you find the best product to complement your outdoor space. Don’t forget to bring in pictures and dimensions of your patio or deck and we can work on the design together!

Williamsburg Wicker & Patio has the biggest inventory of premium outdoor poly furniture in the Greater Richmond area. Contact us today or stop into our store to learn more about how we can find the perfect outdoor furniture and accessories for your home.