| There is a relatively new outdoor furniture material | | | | no need to re-paint, re-stain, or re-oil your furniture |
| that has come onto the market and looks to have a | | | | every couple of years. Typically with standard patio |
| very promising future. It is made from high density | | | | furniture, many skip maintaining it and opt for buying |
| polyethylene or HDPE and is manufactured from | | | | a new set. Therefore, HDPE can also save a good bit |
| recycled products such a milk jugs. | | | | of money in the long run. |
| Polywood is one way this material is marketed. It is | | | | Because it is a plastic, HDPE is very easy to clean. |
| literally a wood lumber substitute. The process of | | | | Although it is a plastic, it is not a cheap easily |
| making this product starts with obtaining polyethylene | | | | breakable plastic. Remember, HDPE is heavier and |
| bottles from recycling centers. These are the number | | | | stronger than wood. Another benefit that has been |
| 2 type of recyclable plastic. They are the whitish | | | | discovered is that HDPE furniture is more comfortable |
| non-clear gallon containers that milk and water are | | | | than wood. It has a subtle flexibility that actually |
| often sold in. Of course, there are many other | | | | forms somewhat to your body as you sit on it. |
| number 2 type plastic containers manufactured. The | | | | There are many ways HDPE is superior to wood |
| bottles obtained are converted into pellets. A machine | | | | furniture. It weathers well without degradation due to |
| then melts the pellets. Color and UV protection | | | | sun, rain, or snow. HDPE is termite and insect |
| additives are mixed in. Various molds are used to cool | | | | resistant. It does not rot, mold, or mildew from |
| the mix into standard lumber sizes. The result is | | | | water exposure. Thus, HDPE is a great choice for |
| grained finished color pieces of polywood. Due to the | | | | poolside or waterfront locations. On top of all that, |
| high tensile strength of HDPE, it is heavier than wood | | | | you will not get any painful splinters from HDPE. To |
| lumber. Thus, this makes it an attractive material for | | | | sum it up, HDPE pieces simply outlast wood furniture |
| outdoor furniture. | | | | making it a much better investment. |
| There are so many advantages of using HDPE for | | | | Lastly and perhaps best of all is that HDPE is |
| outdoor living furniture. You do not need to stain or | | | | eco-friendly because of its recycled composition. That |
| paint HDPE because its color is embedded throughout | | | | means fewer trees cut down and less plastic dumped |
| the whole material. This means you also do not have | | | | into landfills. It is great to see new applications for |
| worry about the color fading due to sun exposure | | | | recycled material. The future looks greener than ever. |
| over time. The result is easy maintenance. There is | | | | All in all, HDPE is a great choice for your patio. |