Adirondack chairs are a popular choice. Whether you have a patio, a cottage or a beach house, an Adirondack chair is most likely a permanent fixture. And, there are good reasons for this. Adirondack chairs are comfortable and durable. Made from durable and weather-resistant materials, these chairs usually last for decades. However, there are various options on the market. This is where we come in. We’ll be taking a closer look at Adirondack chairs so that you have all the information necessary to make a purchasing decision, should you consider one of these outdoor lounging chairs.
What Is An Adirondack Chair?
An Adirondack chair is an outdoor lounging seat. Derived from the Adirondack mountain range from New York, this chair was invented by Thomas Lee in 1903. While on vacation with his family in Westport, NY at Lake Champlain, Lee wanted to create an outdoor chair so he and his family can enjoy the scenery while seating out.
Adirondack Chair Design
The Adirondack chair design is simple yet it serves its purpose very well. The backrest is made of five to eight vertical wooden or plastic boards that range in heights, with the longest been in the centre. The back leg support acts as a seat. The design of the legs begins on the floor and then is slanted upwards to form the seat. The seat therefore is lower at the back than in the front. You also have two wide arm rests, usually varying in design. Below you’ll find an example.
Types of Adirondack Chairs
There are various materials that are used for Adirondack chairs. Predominately made from wood, these outdoor lounging chairs have evolved over the years. There are two main materials that these chairs are now made from: plastic or resin and wood, usually teak. Let’s look at this in more details.
Plastic Adirondack Chairs
Plastic has been used for years now and for obvious reasons: it’s cheaper and it doesn’t take much time to produce a full chair. Its production cost therefore, allows for a lower price. Most of the plastic Adirondack chairs are made from plastic moulds, which takes no manual labour. Usually made from thin plastic, these chairs weight between 5-10 lbs. This light weight makes them ideal for moving or stacking.
Pros of Plastic Adirondack Chairs
- Cost – given that plastic is a cheaper material and these are moulded, the production cost is lower making it more affordable
- Light weight – easy to move or stack
- Somewhat durable compared to other plastic chairs on the market
Cons of Plastic Adirondack Chairs
Given its thin construction, these chairs may not last for decades, compared to a wooden chair for example. Here are a few more cons:
- Weather depended: sun, rain, snow can impact the life of the plastic. Heat is know to create cracks resulting in a broken leg, arm, etc
- Weight capacity limitations – given its thinner construction, these plastic chairs may now withstand a person that is 250 lbs over
Wooden Adirondack Chairs
Wooden Adirondack chairs are best however, there are a few cons also. Usually made from solid wood such as teak, these outdoor chairs can last for years and years. Given that they are made of wood, there’s more labour involved which brings us to the pros and cons.
Cons of Wooden Adirondack Chairs
- Cost – solid wood is expensive. Teak, maple, etc are great for making furniture but it comes at a cost. Price range vary from $100-$300 with some wooden chairs going for $1,000+, depending on the wood used
- Maintenance – you still have to look after your chairs by staining them once in a while
Pros of Wooden Adirondack Chairs
- Durability – the wooden chairs will last for generations if properly taken care of. Just add a top of stain once every few years to protect them from rain, snow, etc
- Personalization – you can paint and finish these outdoor chairs the way you like. Just pick the paint color you like and have fun
- Saving money – in the long run, you’ll be saving money if you decide to go with a well constructed wooden Adirondack chair. Think of all the plastic replacements you’ll need to do over years
- You can create your own – if you are a DIY person, you can create an Adirondack chair by following simple design plans (also saving money)
We understand that your budget and time will be the driving decision factors when purchasing these chairs. But you do have a choice, we’re just presenting these options so you can make an informed decision.
Where to Buy Adirondack Chairs
There are plenty of retailers that sell in the traditional sense and online. If you’re looking at purchasing these outdoor chairs, most “Big Box” retailers offers them.
- Costco – the classic Adirondack chairs start around $150, some include a footstool. At this price, you’ll be getting a plastic chair so consider that before buying
- Walmart – see their in-store inventory and online offers. Sometimes you’ll be able to get a deal online. Pricing starts at $130
- Target – same as Walmart, do check both in-store and online for possible sales
- Amazon – a given, Amazon has tons of selection when it comes to Adirondack chairs. Consider the material used as discussed above. Shipping will be a factor so make sure you get free shipping otherwise it’ll be very costly to pay for shipping, unless you opt out for plastic
- Home Depot – known for a variety of outdoor furniture, Home Depot offers these outdoor lounging chairs. Check in person and online
There are also smaller manufacturers that make Adirondack chairs. These tend to be more expensive and understandable so. If you find a shop that crafts these from teak or maple, expect to pay $1,000 or more.
DIY Adirondack Chairs
If you are good with your hands, you can easily make these outdoor lounging chairs yourself thereby saving your money. There are plenty of DIY resources such as printable Adirondack chairs plans. Once you find a design/plan that you like, go ahead and use it.
For even cheaper options, consider skids also known as pallets. You can make an Adirondack chair out of pallets. Just get the pallet wood out, measure, cut and assemble your chair. You can literally make this chair for $5 or less, considering the screw cost and paint that will used.
Conclusion
Now that you know what an Adirondack chair is, what is made from and the pros and cons of each material, you’re better equipped to make a buying decision. Obviously, the wooden chairs are more durable but come at a cost. Even though, we still believe that getting a wooden Adirondack chair made from teak or other solid wood will save you money in the long run as it’ll last for generations.
If your budget doesn’t permit a high-quality chair, consider going with resin, a tougher plastic that will last longer than your thin regular plastic material. Better yet, consider a DIY project. As most Adirondack chair plans are available for free online, you can easily access these and start making your own outdoor lounging chair. Best of it, you’ll be saving tons of money.
We’re interested in hearing about your preferences. What’s your favourite Adirondack chair? Did you make a purchase and if so, what factors did you consider? Are you happy with the purchase?