If you’re shopping for an Adirondack chair, the following comparison of common chair materials will come in handy. Read on to learn about the advantages, disadvantages, and prices of common wooden chairs.
Chair Material #1: Cedar
Cedar is popular for its durability, even in rainy locations. It produces a special oil called cypressene that protects against rot and insect infestation. The original red hue of Cedar Adirondack chairs can be preserved or modified with wood stain; otherwise that reddish hue will fade to a coastal gray. Cedar chairs will crack and chip over time unless you perform the required annual refinishing and sealing maintenance.
Cedar chairs are ideal for people who:
-They are willing to do a little maintenance – say, one Saturday morning every year.
-Resides in rainy places, such as the Pacific Northwest.
-She prefers her Adirondack chairs to be a subdued shade of red.
Expect to pay: $150 for a basic Adirondack chair; prices go up from here.
Chair #2 Material: Pine
Pine is affordable and cheerful. As with cedar, the bright yellowish hue of pine can be changed with stain. The pine also fades to a coastal gray over time.
Pine has a couple of drawbacks. First, it is known to suffer from insect infestation and rot, and at a faster rate than moisture-resistant woods like cedar. Therefore, pine chair owners should carefully restore and reseal their chairs every one to two years. Secondly, pine is a soft wood, so it can be scratched and dented quite easily.
Pine chairs are ideal for people who:
-Don’t worry about maintenance.
They are looking for a low price.
-Like the bright color of pine.
-They are not too harsh with their possessions.
Expect to pay: around $150 to start.
Chair #3 Material: Oak
Oak is a heavy, durable wood that is less resistant to rain than cedar, but still requires regular sealing maintenance. Also, stains soak into oak, so oak Adirondack chair owners need to quickly soak up any spills that do occur. Sunlight darkens oak, so it does best in shady areas. Sun resistant stains are also available. Direct sun can cause streaking or darkening of oak wood, so if you buy an oak chair, be sure to place it in a shady spot or apply a sun-resistant stain.
Oak chairs are ideal for people who:
-Like an Adirondack chair with a solid, heavy feel
-They are happy to work maintenance in exchange for beauty.
-Have shady gardens
-Not having children
Expect to pay: $150+
Chair #4 Material: Teak
Teak is a tropical wood that retains its appearance and extreme hardness for decades, without the need for maintenance. A special oil in the teak prevents rotting, cracking and insect infestations. Teak doesn’t need as much sealer as the other types of wood described above, but it looks better with regular sealing.
Teak chairs are ideal for people who:
-I love the look of wood but I hate the maintenance.
-You are planning to leave your Adirondack chair out in the open
-You want to place your Adirondack chairs directly on the ground (even when in direct contact with the ground, teak won’t rot, assuming you seal it from time to time).
Expect to pay: $700 or more. (Teak fetches higher prices because it only grows in limited parts of the world.)
