Best Adirondack Chairs. CPVC, Wood, Folding, Reclining Adirondack Chairs

Adirondack Chair Buyer’s Guide

Adirondack chairs are among the most iconic furniture designs to be found in American furniture history. These chairs are special chairs that will fit into almost any backyard or patio environment.

They offer an enthusiastic yet relaxing vibe, with beautiful lines and simple, comfortable air. The sloping seat design found on Adirondack chairs, coupled with the gracefully-slatted back results in an extremely comfortable outdoor chair.

The addition of the flat wide arms makes it easy to rest a gin and tonic upon, or perhaps just some weary arms after a long day in the garden. Unlike some iconic furniture pieces,

Adirondack chairs need not be terribly expensive to purchase. With a wide variety of material types and universal look and feel, there are several furniture makers that make wonderful versions of these chairs that will be at anybody’s price point. No matter your budget, there is an Adirondack chair for your backyard!

The goal of this buyer’s guide is to help you find perfect Adirondack chair for your needs. With so many different options available in materials, design, color, and price, it can be difficult to wade through endless lists of chairs is to determine which one is right for you.

We intend to supply you with the pros and cons of each model and to guide you to the best choice for your needs and price point. We encourage you to be bold in your choice Adirondack chair.

Often a surprising color combination or wood choice will make a patio space shine. Once you have the right Adirondack chairs in your backyard, you will appreciate the space so much more than you did before.

Common Adirondack Chair Materials

This section covers the most common material choices for Adirondack chairs: wood and plastic. We examine several of the different species of wood, and types of plastic available, and cover the circumstances of each.

Wood

Wood is the typical base material for Adirondack chairs made throughout history. There are a wide variety of wood species one can choose from, and each species has different advantages.

In this section, we will cover several of the best woods for Adirondack chairs, and examine the pros and cons of each.

• Hemlock – Hemlock was the original material for Adirondack chairs, made by Harry Bunnell. If you want to go back to the origin, Hemlock is the choice for you. Hemlock is strong, and rot resistant if properly maintained.
• Teak – Teak is a wonderful material for Adirondack chairs. It is hardy and weather resistant. Teak can look beautiful either stained with any of the typical teak sealers or simply left to weather naturally to a light silver tone. Teak is fairly low maintenance, and strong.
• Cedar – Cedar is one of the most common woods used for outdoor furniture. It is also found as cladding for houses, and is a commonly used fencing material; it is a good material to be left out in the weather. Cedar is relatively inexpensive yet durable. It can be easily stained or painted and will last a long time if properly maintained.
• Fir – Fir is a classic outdoor wood, commonly found on porch decking, and on patio furniture. It is quite hard and is a good choice for withstanding the elements. Fir has a beautiful finish that will mellow over time. We recommend sealing the wood in order to keep the finish as pristine as possible.
• Cypress – Cypress is a type of wood that is particularly resistant to warping. The natural oils found in Cypress wood can help keep the wood from rotting in the weather, and can also help to protect against insect infestation. Cypress is commonly finished using white stains
• Mahogany – Mahogany is a beautiful wood species that is particularly good for outdoor use. It is commonly used in decking on porches, and stains beautifully. Mahogany, when stained, has a rich deep wood tone that can really look great in an Adirondack chair. The grain is tight on this wood, and it similar in strength to teak and oak. You will need to refinish the mahogany frequently in order to keep it protected from rot and from general life outdoors.
• Pine – Pine is generally considered a budget material for Adirondack chairs. It is a good material for the outdoors, and (like cedar), is often found in exterior home construction. It is possible to find quite beautiful species of pine that are weather resistant. Pine wood can be clear or knotty, and both types can look wonderful when stained or painted. Pine should be stained or painted in order to help prevent rot and decay.
• Oak – Oak is another great material for Adirondack chairs. It is pleasing in either of its traditional red or white varieties. Oak can be beautiful when stained or can be simply treated with a clear varnish for long-lasting luster. A solid hardwood that is capable of withstanding the elements very well.

Plastic

There are two common categories of plastic used to make Adirondack chairs: poly-resin and Cellular PVC (CPVC). These two materials split the cost curve, with the CPVC chairs often among the most expensive, while the poly-resin chairs are usually the cheapest.

• Composite PVC – Cellular PVC is a relatively new material choice, and may well be the best overall material for Adirondack chairs. Composite wood/plastic material is typically made of a combination of sawdust and wood pulp, mixed with recycled plastic to form a durable, solid, long-lasting material. This type of material is commonly found in porch decking under the name Trex. These materials can be colored throughout the material and can be left out in the elements for a long time without requiring any maintenance. CPVC is generally not the cheapest option for an Adirondack chair, but this material is rapidly gaining in popularity.
• Molded Plastic – Molded plastic resin is the most inexpensive material for Adirondack chairs. These chairs are made of a molded resin plastic and are generally of lower quality than the other materials on this list. Molded resin can be quite long-lasting and maintenance free, though it will fade in the sun and is prone to cracking over time. If you’re on a tight budget, this may be the material for you, but if you can reach a bit more, you will likely be happier with your choice.
  

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Adirondack Chair Design

The Adirondack chair is an instantly-recognizable design and has stood the test of time for over 100 years. However, there are variations to be found in the design of these chairs. For example, some chairs will have flat backs (similar to Thomas Lee’s original design), well others are curved (based on Irving Wolpin’s modifications).

Some seats will be wider and deeper to allow for more cradling of the body when sitting. Many of these chairs will fold up when not needed, and some will recline to offer additional luxury.

There are Adirondack chairs with built-in slide-out ottomans to give the feet a rest as well, as well as Adirondack chairs with rocking and gliding bases for those who like a little movement.

Given that the original design has long been out of patent, designers have used their imaginations to riff on the original ideas and generate some new ones. There are double Adirondack chairs, chairs with tables attached, child-sized chairs, etc. All of these designs have their place, depending on your needs.

You can stick with a traditional design, or jump into the unknown and try something different!

Adirondack Chair Accessories

There are several accessories that can be purchased that will go with an Adirondack chair. Some manufacturers offer matching side tables made of similarly-treated wood to a given chair.

Often a matching ottoman can complete the look of a chair. Some furniture makers even offer full Adirondack dining sets that include a full dining table and set of chairs.

Seat Cushions

Many users will prefer to buy a seat cushion for their Adirondack chair. While not required – these chairs are super comfortable on their own – a cushion may be of interest to those that prefer a cushion to a wooden seat.

These cushions are often after-market products, and a colorful fabric cushion can make a beautifully-stained Adirondack chair pop against a delightful garden backdrop.

Maintenance and Care

Here we examine the care, maintenance, and upkeep requirements for wooden chairs and for plastic chairs.

Wooden Chairs

Proper maintenance of your wooden Adirondack chair will keep it going for years, and perhaps even decades, of use outside. The amount of maintenance required is not huge for wooden chairs but is certainly greater than that required for plastic chairs. Also, the maintenance of these chairs is to at least some degree specific to the type of wood chosen.

Wood Choice

Adirondack chairs are the classic outdoor chair design. They are crafted to sit outside and should be capable of withstanding the elements. Virtually all of the materials listed in our Materials section are good choices for an Adirondack chair.

Some can be simply left to weather with no treatment, while others should be stained or painted yearly. As paint starts to chip and reveal wood underneath, certain types of wood will begin to rot.

It is best to stay on top of the painting of these chairs and ensure that they are protected from the elements without lots of cracks and peels. Adirondack chairs are often finished with glossy enamel paints that can really look great and can be quite durable for outdoor use.

Frequency of Maintenance

The question of how frequently an Adirondack chair should be refinished is not an easy one to answer. There are a great many factors to consider, such as exposure to the Sun, exposure to the rain, temperature extremes, and the presence of wood-boring insects.

Additionally, if one can store an Adirondack chair when not in use, the finish is almost certain to last longer than chairs left out in direct contact with the elements for long periods of time.

Buyers may also consider Adirondack chair covers.

These covers keep the elements off of your chairs while not requiring users to move them from place to place.

Finally, some Adirondack chair enthusiasts may love the look of a well-weathered chair.

Materials like teak will naturally weather over time comma and if the weathered look is desired, the amount of maintenance required is drastically reduced.

Types of Wood Finish

There are several great products on the market used for finishing outdoor furniture in treating wood. A safe bet is an exterior wood paint and is available at virtually any Home Improvement Center.

You can choose any finish, but often glossy paints work well on these chairs and help protect them more than matte finishes do.

Additionally, varnish can be an excellent choice. Watco Danish oil or any Minwax varnish will work. Other oils such as Tung oil and linseed oil are also a great choice. These environmentally friendly solutions are easy to apply and can look beautiful.

However, they may not be as long-lived as a traditional varnish.

For a relatively-new finish material, you may look into the Rubio Monocoat series of exterior finishes for your Adirondack chair.

This finish is easy to apply, environmentally friendly and is quite attractive.

Paints

Should you choose to paint your chair, be sure to give everything a good sanding to start out with. Once sanded, use a quality exterior primer in order to ensure that the paint adheres well to the wood and that you don’t end up using more paint than you need to.

One thing that should be noted is that once a hair is painted, it is very difficult to strip the paint and then staying. Once you paint, you can’t go back.

In general, a finish will last a few years in the outdoors, but this is heavily dependent on the location and external environment.

Oil vs Water-Based Paint

You can use either an oil or water based paint on your Adirondack chair. Oil-based paint will likely last longer in the outdoors, but is harder to work with and has more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) then water-based paints do — not good for the environment, or for you!

Water-based paints are easier to work with and to clean up, however, water-based paints don’t do a great job of covering knots in wood If the wood species you have chosen is a knotty material (such as pine) you should certainly use an oil-based paint.

Weather Concerns

In this section, we examine how prolonged exposure to different types of weather can impact the durability of an Adirondack chair.

Water and Adirondack Chairs

If you get a lot of rain in your area, you may want to look at paint that includes a mold inhibitor to help protect the finish from mold build-up. You could consider a marine paint or varnish, as these materials are made with moisture in mind.

Excess Sun Exposure

Long exposure to the direct sun will abuse any wood finish over time. If your Adirondack chairs are exposed to a great deal of sun, you may want to apply a wood finish that is UV protective.

This will help preserve the color of the finish, and will likely need to be applied yearly. If you don’t want to keep refinishing your chair due to sun exposure, it will likely weather and change color (similar to the way oil-based wood floors will slowly “amber” over time.

This slow color change may be a good thing! If you like the weathered look, it can be beautiful, and it is certainly simple to maintain.

Winter Weather Exposure

Virtually all manufacturers recommend that Adirondack chairs be protected from the weather in the winter time. Snow and ice will severely stress the materials, and the finish will quickly degrade an Adirondack chair that is left outside in inclement weather.

If you don’t have a great deal of space for storage, you may want to consider a folding Adirondack chair which allows for easy storage. Alternately, you could consider an Adirondack chair cover.

These covers protect chairs from winter weather and allow you to leave them outside during the snow and ice.

However these check these chair covers can cause mold to grow if there is excess moisture present under the cover, and the cover interior can be a refuge for animals seeking protection from snow and ice.

Cleaning and General Care

Here we examine the general care required for both wooden and plastic Adirondack chairs.

Wooden Chairs

If you have a pressure washer, cleaning an Adirondack chair will be piece of cake. Simply spray down the chair with high-pressure water and a little soap, then rinse with clean water and your chair will look as good as new.

If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can use a garden hose with a spray attachment to get off some of that lighter material, but beyond that, you will probably need to use some elbow grease.

Use a mildly abrasive rag, or soft-bristled brush, to clean off pollen and general dirt. A little soap and water every week or so is recommended and will clean up most heavy debris from an Adirondack chair.

After you rinse your chair, allow the wood to dry completely before you apply any additional finishes, oils, or other treatments.

If you use your chair as a drink holder (and who doesn’t?) Be sure to get after spills and rings as quickly as possible. Red wine, coffee, soda, and certain other types of liquids will stain the wood, and cups can leave rings that are very difficult to get up.

Use those coasters! It’s best to try to clean up any liquid spills as quickly as possible to avoid further troubles down the road.

Plastic Chairs

CPVC and poly-resin plastic Adirondack chairs require much less maintenance than wooden chairs do, but of course, the exchange for that is fewer finish options.

These chairs are colored in their manufacturing process and do not need to be painted. Cleaning is similar to a wooden chair — if you have a pressure washer, you’re golden. Hose them down, let them dry, and you’re all set.

If you don’t have a pressure washer, then as above, soap and water and some elbow grease will keep things looking good, no matter what the exterior environment.

It should be noted that CPVC chairs can often look dirty, and a pressure washer can really help keep them clean. If you want to go with CPVC chairs, you may consider getting a pressure washer as well as it really keeps them looking their best without much effort.

Adirondack Chair Reviews

In this section, we look at several of the best Adirondack chairs, review them, and examine the pros and cons of each.

1, Lifetime 60064 Adirondack Chair