In Varney, Ontario, Canada, you’ll find the World’s Largest Adirondack Chair. It’s 20 feet tall and 14 feet wide. St. Paul, Minn., has its own giant green Adirondack chair off the Smith Avenue (High) Bridge. No one will be putting these chairs in their backyard, but they’re fun roadside attractions.
What makes these chairs so well-loved that they deserve huge statues in their honor? They’re the epitome of the vacation lifestyle. Many instantly associate them with relaxation. Let’s take a look at where you can get your own Adirondack chairs to create that perfect outdoor space.
What Are Adirondack Chairs?
Thomas Lee, whose family had a vacation home in the Adirondack mountains of New York, set out to design the perfect outdoor chair. He had a carpenter friend who got the design patent and set out to make these “Adirondack” chairs. Business boomed thanks to the heavy-duty construction and weather-resistant wood, especially with the harsh weather of New York winters.
Adirondack chairs are a specific design that includes an angled backrest, sloped seat, and straight armrests. These chairs say, “I’m on vacation” or “I’m relaxing.” They’re made for outdoor spaces, so many are protected with coatings to prevent fading and weathering. The main advantages of these types of chairs are their durability, ergonomic design, and comfort. Plus, they’re iconic.
Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy Adirondack Chairs?
It’s almost always cheaper to build a piece of furniture yourself. However, you also need to take into consideration the time and effort. There are cheaper, decent Adirondack chairs for $50-60. Is it worth paying a little more to avoid having to build your own?
But if you’re handy and will enjoy the process of building your own as well as the satisfaction of sitting in a chair you made yourself, it’s cheaper to build two rather than one. The amount of lumber and materials will cost around $100. You get better deals the more you purchase, so you might as well build two chairs. The process only takes a day.
Pro Tip: Keep your buns toasted by investing in one of these Heated Camping Chairs.
Can You Leave Adirondack Chairs Outside in the Winter?
Even the best chairs won’t sustain weathering if left in harsh conditions. Their protective coatings can only do so much.
However, you’ll have the best results with poly lumber materials like POLYWOOD. Unlike plastic, this material won’t get brittle in cold conditions. It also doesn’t rust or absorb moisture. So if you plan on leaving your Adirondack chairs uncovered outside year-round, you’ll want POLYWOOD.
5 Easy Places to Find Adirondack Chairs
If you’re looking for Adirondack chairs to spruce up your outdoor patio space, you don’t have to look very far. Local mega stores like Walmart, Home Depot, and Target carry them as well as the smaller Ace Hardware stores. And, of course, along with anything else you might be interested in, Amazon has hundreds available.
1. Walmart
Walmart has chairs for every budget and lifestyle. There are chairs with cup holders, chairs made of resin, chairs that fold, and more. Prices range from individual chairs for $55 to full sets that cost over $700.
About: These Mainstays Adirondack chairs come in seven colors: black, white, red, yellow, turquoise, dark brown, and wood. They’re made from sustainable FSC-certified solid Acacia hardwood and have a protective paint finish for all-year enjoyment. However, constant exposure to harsh elements like the sun or snow accelerates weathering. They weigh 22 pounds and can support up to 250 pounds.
Price: $50-$100
2. Home Depot
Home Depot carries Adirondack chairs made from composite materials, plastics, and wood. Glitzhome makes a four-chair and table combination in multiple colors. Another option is the pull-out ottoman lounge chair. Home Depot’s chairs cost $29.98 for a resin plastic chair to a set of four for almost $1,600.
About: The Grant Park Adirondack chairs come in 12 colors and use recycled genuine POLYWOOD lumber. They require low maintenance because of the weather-resistant coating. This particular brand and model comes highly rated, with over 2,000 reviews from satisfied customers who rate it a 4.9/5.
Price: Around $200
3. Target
Target carries single Adirondack chairs starting at $57.99 to a four-piece outdoor set for over $2,800. Some are folding chairs, some are brightly colored, some are rocking chairs, and some are reclining chairs.
About: Available in seven colors, these Moore POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs feature only a two-panel, wide-slatted seat and back. The POLYWOOD lumber won’t fade or split over time. Each chair weighs 36 pounds and can hold up to 325 pounds. The manufacturer also provides a 20-year limited residential warranty.
Price: $200-$25
4. Amazon
Like these other stores, Amazon carries a vast selection of chairs. Whether you’re looking for a chair with a cup holder, a chair that reclines, a chair made of solid wood, or a chair with a pull-out ottoman, Amazon has them all in all price ranges. In addition, Amazon carries kid-sized Adirondack chairs.
About: Get this folding chair from Amazon in one of 20 different colors. It can hold up to 380 pounds and weighs about 44 pounds. The foldable design features a simple plug and chain, so putting it away is easy. Weather-resistant and fade-proof, this Adirondack chair is low-maintenance and durable.
Price: $220
5. Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware has the fewest options in their line-up but still offers dozens of choices. You can find frames made of polypropylene, resin, and wood. Ace Hardware also has kid-sized chairs for $18.99.
About: Made out of Cunninghamia Cedar, this Adirondack chair is foldable and lightweight. The natural finish creates a rustic or farmhouse look. It’s not UV-protected or weather-resistant but stores easily in harsh weather conditions due to the folding mechanism.
Price: About $80
Pro Tip: Paying more upfront for a quality camping chair can save you a lot of hassle. Check out these 5 Reasons to Avoid Cheap Camping Chairs.
Are Adirondack Chairs Worth It?
There’s something about these chairs that beckons us to relax. Maybe it’s the sloped seat or the wide armrests that call us to take a load off. You can’t go to the beach without seeing Adirondack chairs on almost every home’s back porches and patios. Mountain cabin rentals overlooking beautiful scenery typically have perfectly placed chairs where you can sip wine and enjoy the view.
So if you’re looking for a chair to spruce up your outdoor space or want a place where you can relax after a long day at work, choose an Adirondack chair. You won’t have a problem finding all kinds of options and colors.
Which style do you like best? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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