Comparison of Composite Wood Vs. Traditional Wood or Metal Outdoor Furniture
Compared to traditional wood and metal outdoor furniture, composite wood material offers the following benefits:
- Superior durability and weatherability – ready for rain, wind, sun, ice or snow.
- Low maintenance construction – lasts for years with minimal attention.
- Excellent comfort and ergonomics – you won’t want to get up once you sit down.
- Stylistic and aesthetic versatility – classic and modern options available in an array of colors.
- Positive environmental impact – manufactured from landfill and ocean-bound plastic.
- 100 percent recyclability – when it’s time to replace your composite wood outdoor furniture, it can be recycled with zero waste.
Composite wood can be incorporated into many pieces of outdoor furniture, including:
- Adirondack chairs (Classic, modern and kids designs)
- Benches
- Tables (coffee tables, BBQ tables, round tables, square tables and end tables)
- Rope chairs
Together, this outdoor furniture can be mixed and matched to create the perfect patio, deck or garden oasis.
Composite Wood, Traditional Wood or Metal? Which is Best for Outdoor Furniture?
Are you considering outfitting a patio, deck or other outdoor entertaining area with new furniture? If so, you have plenty of options, including the material your outdoor furniture is made from.
Wood and metal are common choices, but composite wood is emerging as a popular and cost effective third option. Here’s why:
- Durability – Composite wood outdoor furniture is extremely durable, with construction that resists wear, corrosion, impact, weather and UV radiation. In fact, the manufacturing processes used to make this furniture are similar to those used to make other durable items. Composite wood is trusted in these applications because of its excellent weatherability and durability, and these advantages extend to your new outdoor furniture.
- Maintenance – Composite wood is simple to clean by just wiping it down, and that’s all the maintenance it requires. The material’s durability lends it to a low maintenance lifecycle. However, that is not the case with wood or metal furniture. Wood must be sealed annually to protect it from weather and UV radiation. Metal must also be weatherproofed with a sealant of some kind to prevent rust.
- Comfort and ergonomics – Composite wood is comparable to other materials in terms of comfort, except you don’t have to worry about splinters (wood) or sharp corners (metal). This material has better thermal qualities than metal as well, so it doesn’t feel hot to the touch.Composite wood is also precision-shaped during manufacturing, which guarantees an optimal ergonomic design that allows you to feel the difference when you sit down.
- Aesthetic versatility – Composite wood outdoor furniture can be made to fit any type of aesthetic, whether you prefer a classic or modern look. This furniture also comes in a wide variety of colors, so if you are aiming for a particular look, composite wood is versatile enough to match your preferences.
- Environmental impact – The environmental impact is one of the major advantages of composite wood vs. wood and metal. Composite wood outdoor furniture is manufactured out of recyclable polymers that would instead end up in landfills or in bodies of water. As plastic waste is an emerging environmental concern around the world, many consumers are opting for products that reduce its impact. More people are choosing to invest in composite wood furniture and, by extension, a cleaner environment.
An added benefit is that when your composite wood furniture needs to be replaced, it can be completely recycled and made into additional consumer products. This means that the environmental benefits extend past the furniture’s life cycle.
What is Composite Wood and How is it Made?
Composite wood, also often referred to as engineered wood, manufactured wood, or man-made wood, is a broad category of products made by binding together wood fibers, particles, or veneers with adhesives, resins or other materials. Unlike solid lumber directly from a tree, composite wood is engineered to create specific properties, often enhancing durability, stability and resistance to elements like moisture, rot and insects.
Composite wood is essentially a blend of wood material (like sawdust, wood chips, wood fibers, or thin wood veneers) and non-wood materials (such as plastics, glues or resins). The term “composite” signifies that it’s a material made from an engineered mix of ingredients.
For wood-plastic composites, the wood and thermoplastic polymers are often heated above the melting temperature of the plastic and thoroughly mixed to create a homogenous blend. The melted composite can be formed into any shape using compression or injection molding processes.
The manufacturing process for composite wood often utilizes recycled materials, making it an environmentally friendly option in many cases, as it reduces waste from sawmills and diverts plastics from landfills.
The final product is then shaped into various pieces that can be assembled into all kinds of items, including high quality, durable outdoor furniture.
Compared to Wood and Metal, Composite Wood Outdoor Furniture Offers Superior Durability, Comfort, Aesthetics and Environmental Benefits
Composite wood outdoor furniture is designed to meet the needs of today’s consumers with outdoor furniture that is beautiful, long-lasting and environmentally friendly. Whether it’s for a single-family home, an apartment balcony, a shared community space or any other outdoor space, composite wood furniture offers better durability than wood or metal, better design versatility, lower maintenance and a positive environmental impact. Sitting down never felt so good.
- All-Weather Dining Chairs: How to Choose Ones That Last for Years - August 6, 2025
- Creating Outdoor Dining Experiences: From Casual to Elegant - August 4, 2025
- The Ultimate Guide to Adirondack Chairs: Styles, Materials, and Placement Ideas - June 5, 2025