The Secrets Behind Why Polywood Furniture is #1 for Outdoor in The USA

Key Takeaways

• POLYWOOD furniture is made from recycled HDPE plastics, offering durability, sustainability, and a 20-year warranty. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a strong, rigid, weather- and chemical-resistant, easily recyclable plastic used for piping, containers, and liners. And now, furniture.
• Skylar’s Home & Patio in Carlsbad, CA customizes POLYWOOD furniture with different combinations of frames, colors, and fabrics delivered in just 3–5 weeks.
• Customers love POLYWOOD’s ability to withstand coastal weather without rusting, chipping, or fading.
• Sunbrella and sling fabrics make POLYWOOD seating feel like indoor comfort while performing outdoors.
• Compared to competitors like Berlin Gardens, Trex, and Highwood, POLYWOOD offers broader options and stronger nationwide availability.
• Maintenance is minimal — just a quick rinse every few months keeps it looking fresh.
• POLYWOOD is made in the USA, a good reminder that eco-friendly furniture can look great, offer options, and hold up for years.

When I walked into Skylar’s Home & Patio in Carlsbad, a coastal city just north of San Diego, I could have been fooled into thinking it was just another furniture store. I would soon find that I was stepping into one of the coolest shops around with 15 years of expertise in custom sofas, sectionals, and chairs. I was surprised at how awesome their product was right away.

What surprised me most, however, was that the store’s number one seller isn’t a couch at all. The product customers keep coming back for is POLYWOOD furniture — a line of outdoor chairs, dining sets, and patio pieces made from recycled plastics.

Skylar’s Home & Patio has built its name on customization, and POLYWOOD fits that same philosophy. With a huge range of colors, fabrics, and finishes, every order feels like it’s made for the individual home. And because POLYWOOD is designed to withstand coastal weather, it’s become the go-to choice for Carlsbad homeowners who want outdoor furniture that’s sustainable, stylish, and built to last. It's the real deal.

In this feature, I’ll show you how POLYWOOD outdoor furniture went from a garage-born idea to a bestseller at Skylar’s, and why this partnership is worth paying attention to if you care about both design and durability.

What Is POLYWOOD?

If you’re not familiar with POLYWOOD furniture, the story goes back to 1990 when two friends in Indiana started experimenting with recycled plastics in a garage. Their idea was simple: make the best bong ever. Kidding. Their mission was to turn waste into durable furniture that could live outside year-round.

Today, POLYWOOD has grown into a major American manufacturer with thousands of employees, a 99% waste-free production process, and a reputation for making some of the most reliable pieces in outdoor living.

What makes POLYWOOD outdoor furniture so different is the material itself: high-density polyethylene, the same type of plastic found in water bottles and detergent jugs.

As Skylar's owner Skylar Ireton explained to me, “It’s all recycled plastics — anything that goes into your blue recycling can.” That material is melted, colored, and shaped into lumber that looks like wood but performs far better outdoors.

“It’s all recycled plastics — anything that goes into your blue recycling can.” - Skylar Ireton, #1 POLYWOOD dealer in Southern California

Here’s what you get with POLYWOOD patio furniture:

• Eco-friendly design: Built from recycled plastics in a circular process that can be remade into new lumber.
• Durability: It won’t splinter, crack, rot, peel, or fade, which answers the common question, “Does POLYWOOD fade in the sun?” The color is locked in from the start.
• Made in the USA: All collections are designed and built domestically, keeping quality control close to home.
• 20-year warranty: A clear sign that the brand stands behind its materials.
• Low maintenance: No sanding, painting, or staining required — just a quick wash every few months.
  

As someone who spends a lot of time reviewing sustainable furniture, I see plenty of brands make bold promises. What sets POLYWOOD furniture apart is that the performance actually matches the story. It proves recycled plastic can move beyond the “eco” label and become the foundation for outdoor furniture that feels both timeless and tough.

The Full Range of POLYWOOD Patio Furniture

Once you know the story behind POLYWOOD furniture, the next question is what they actually make. The answer is: pretty much everything you’d want for an outdoor setup. At Skylar’s Home & Patio, customers often say the hardest part isn’t deciding if they want POLYWOOD, it’s deciding which pieces to bring home.

Here’s a quick look at what’s available:

• Dining sets in multiple sizes, with tables offered in dining, counter, and bar height.
  
• Lounge chairs and rockers that bring the comfort of indoor seating outside.
  
• Fire pits with durable fireglass tops, perfect for coastal evenings.
  
• Benches, side tables, and accessories that round out a full patio arrangement.
  

Because everything is made in the USA, customers also feel confident about the quality. And when people ask, “How long does POLYWOOD last?” the answer is built right into the catalog: every piece is backed by a 20-year warranty.

That depth of choice is exactly what Skylar values. Shoppers can mix and match until they have something that feels like it was made just for their backyard.

Why Customers Love It at Skylar’s Home & Patio

Skylar and his team are warm. Really warm. They invited me in as if they knew me, kinda like I was a furniture cousin.

Spend a few minutes with Skylar at his Carlsbad showroom and it’s obvious why locals are hooked on POLYWOOD outdoor furniture. Coastal weather can be brutal on wood and metal, but this material doesn’t flinch. Salt air, strong sun, rain, even desert heat — none of it leaves a mark. That’s why customers who once cycled through disposable patio sets are now turning to something that lasts.

Skylar put it simply:

“It will not rust. It will not chip. It will not break.” - Skylar Ireton, #1 POLYWOOD dealer in Southern California

Is POLYWOOD good outdoor furniture? Absolutely — and the proof shows up in daily use. Most people aren’t just buying the eco angle. They’re buying furniture that can live outside without turning into extra work.

Quick takeaways from Skylar’s customers:

• They want furniture that can handle coastal weather without corroding.
• They want low-maintenance patio sets that only need a quick rinse every few months.
• They want pieces that look as good in year ten as they did on day one. Duh. Who doesn't!
  

That mix of reliability and simplicity is what keeps POLYWOOD patio furniture flying off the floor at Skylar’s Home & Patio.

Custom POLYWOOD Furniture Without the Wait

One of the biggest frustrations with customized outdoor furniture is the wait time. At most retailers, custom orders can take three to four months to arrive, which doesn’t exactly fit with the way people want to enjoy their spaces quickly. At Skylar’s Home & Patio, custom POLYWOOD furniture is ready in about three to five weeks, sometimes sooner, depending on where you might live. That’s a huge difference for families eager to enjoy a fresh patio setup before the next season hits.

What makes it even better is how personal the process feels. Every shopper chooses the elements that fit their space, so no two orders ever look the same. As Skylar told me, “Every single order that walks out the door is different.”

And in a coastal city like Carlsbad, where patios and backyards are as much a part of daily life as living rooms (truth), that individuality matters. Homeowners here want furniture that reflects their style but also survives salt air, bright sun, and year-round use. As Skylar puts it: 

“It’s custom tailored for every flavor!”

What to expect when you order your POLYWOOD furniture at Skylar's Home & Patio?

1. Choose your frame

• Start with the base design: dining chair, lounge chair, rocker, or table.
• POLYWOOD’s lumber has the texture of wood but resists splintering, rotting, or peeling.
  

2. Pick your color

• From coastal whites to bold rainbow brights, there’s a palette for every style.
• Many customers in Carlsbad lean toward crisp neutrals, but the option for fun pops of color sets POLYWOOD apart.
  

3. Select your fabric

• Exclusive Sunbrella fabrics available only through local dealers like Skylar’s.
• About 15 Sunbrella options plus another 35 fabrics, giving you nearly 50 total.
• Sling fabric is also an option for maximum cleanability and quick drying.
  

4. Get it delivered fast

• Instead of waiting 12 to 16 weeks, your new POLYWOOD outdoor furniture arrives in about 3 to 5 weeks, depending on location. And sometimes sooner!
  

Getting something custom in a few weeks—and knowing it’ll last—makes POLYWOOD an easy yes for a lot of people. You get a good-looking setup and the comfort of knowing it’ll last more than a season.

Why POLYWOOD Fabrics Feel Like Indoor Furniture

The right fabric can make or break outdoor furniture, and that’s where POLYWOOD furniture really surprised me. At Skylar’s Home & Patio, I came in expecting cushions that felt like typical patio seating — stiff, scratchy, and built only for durability. What I didn’t expect was fabric that feels like it belongs in a living room, not a backyard. That’s what caught me off guard, in a good way.

The Surprise of Comfort

One of the reasons POLYWOOD outdoor furniture has taken off is its comfort. It isn’t just built for utility. It invites your butt to sit and stay a while. When I tested a POLYWOOD chair with a Sunbrella cushion, it felt like something I’d want on my indoor sofa, not just on a deck. That kind of comfort in an outdoor setting is rare.

How the Fabrics Work

Sunbrella is a solution-dyed acrylic, which means the color is locked into every thread at the filament level instead of just sitting on the surface (see video for Skylar's Beautiful Mind-like definition of what a filament is). That detail keeps cushions looking vibrant and fresh year after year. From my perspective, this is where POLYWOOD really blurs the line between indoor comfort and outdoor performance.

Beyond Cushions: Sling Options

POLYWOOD also offers Sling fabrics — tightly woven materials designed to let water pass right through. They dry quickly, resist mildew, and are among the easiest to clean. I’ve always thought Sling was underrated, and seeing how POLYWOOD integrates it confirms it’s one of the smartest fabric choices for outdoor use.

It could probably do as well on a patio overlooking the equator as it would one overlooking the Siberian tundra.

POLYWOOD vs the Competition: How It Stacks Up With Other Patio Furniture Brands

Even with its success, POLYWOOD isn’t the only name in outdoor furniture. Other American brands offer similar recycled-plastic lumber, while traditional and luxury players compete with teak, aluminum, and wicker. Here’s how POLYWOOD furniture compares to some of its main competitors in the U.S. market.

POLYWOOD vs Berlin Gardens

Berlin Gardens, based in Ohio with Amish craftsmanship roots, makes high-quality poly-lumber furniture. They’re known for traditional styling and exceptional build quality. The tradeoff is higher pricing and somewhat limited availability.

• Strengths: Handcrafted quality, durable builds, mix of traditional and modern designs
  
• Where POLYWOOD wins: Wider national availability, larger catalog, stronger brand recognition
  

POLYWOOD vs Seaside Casual Furniture

Seaside Casual has a strong coastal New England identity and uses recycled materials with a 20-year warranty, similar to POLYWOOD. Their collections are more curated, which means fewer choices overall.

• Strengths: Classic coastal look, U.S.-made, long warranty
  
• Where POLYWOOD wins: More variety in colors, fabrics, and designs for broader appeal
  

POLYWOOD vs Trex Outdoor Furniture

Trex is famous for composite decking but also sells outdoor furniture — manufactured with POLYWOOD’s own HDPE lumber. That makes them more of a partner than a pure rival, but they’re often compared side by side.

• Strengths: Well-known brand, eco-friendly, durable materials
  
• Where POLYWOOD wins: Faster customization, wider product range, more style options
  

POLYWOOD vs Highwood USA

Highwood, based in Pennsylvania, specializes in synthetic wood furniture with a very realistic grain finish. While durable and U.S.-made, they don’t have the same brand recognition or catalog size as POLYWOOD.

• Strengths: Realistic wood-like appearance, durable, American-made
  
• Where POLYWOOD wins: Larger distribution, stronger warranty reputation, broader variety
  

POLYWOOD vs Serwall Outdoor Furniture

Serwall is a newer entrant positioned as a more affordable, colorful alternative to POLYWOOD. It appeals to budget-conscious buyers but doesn’t carry the same long-term track record.

• Strengths: Lower price points, playful modern designs
  
• Where POLYWOOD wins: Proven durability, U.S.-made production, stronger warranty and reputation
  

POLYWOOD vs EC Woods

EC Woods is another U.S.-based maker of HDPE outdoor furniture with a strong emphasis on durability and low maintenance. Like POLYWOOD, EC Woods also offers a 20-year warranty.

• Strengths: 20-year warranty, durable recycled materials, U.S.-made quality
  
• Where POLYWOOD wins: Broader distribution, bigger style catalog, stronger brand awareness nationwide
  

While each competitor brings its own strengths, POLYWOOD’s mix of sustainability, U.S. manufacturing, broad customization, and a 20-year warranty continues to set it apart as the most proven choice for long-lasting outdoor furniture.

The Bottom Line

After spending time at Skylar’s Home & Patio in Carlsbad, it’s clear why POLYWOOD furniture has become the go-to choice for so many homeowners. And it's clear why so many folks flock to Skylar's Home and Patio for Polywood because they offer some incredible service. But it's the eco friendly outdoor furniture itself that shines brightest- it combines sustainability, durability, and customization in a way that actually works for real life — especially in coastal climates where salt air and sun can destroy lesser patio sets.

From what I’ve seen, POLYWOOD really does what it says. The plastic lumber has a wood look but takes the weather better, the fabrics are surprisingly comfortable, and the custom process means no two patios end up the same. Add in the 20-year warranty and the fact that it’s made in the USA, and you’re looking at outdoor furniture that’s built for the long haul.

If you’re in Southern California, Skylar’s Home and Patio is one of the best places to experience POLYWOOD in person. You can choose your fabric and finish while having a few laughs and feeling the ocean breeze from about 1.5 blocks away. And if you’re serious about finding outdoor furniture that blends style with staying power, POLYWOOD is a brand worth putting at the top of your list.

POLYWOOD Sustainable Patio Furniture FAQs

1. What is POLYWOOD furniture made of?

POLYWOOD is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the same recycled plastic found in milk jugs, detergent bottles, and water containers. The material is melted, colored, and shaped into durable lumber that looks like wood but performs far better outdoors.

2. Does POLYWOOD fade in the sun?

No. POLYWOOD lumber uses ColorStay™ technology, where UV inhibitors are blended directly into the material. That means the color is locked in from the start and resists fading even in harsh sunlight.

3. How long does POLYWOOD last?

POLYWOOD outdoor furniture is designed to last for decades. Every piece comes with a 20-year residential warranty, but with minimal maintenance, many customers see their furniture last much longer.

4. Is POLYWOOD furniture worth it?

Yes — while the upfront cost may be higher than budget patio sets, the long lifespan, low maintenance, and all-weather durability make it a smarter long-term investment. Customers at Skylar’s often choose POLYWOOD because it saves them from replacing worn-out sets every few years.

5. Where to buy POLYWOOD near me?

POLYWOOD is sold online, but local dealers like Skylar’s Home & Patio in Carlsbad, California offer exclusive upgrades such as Sunbrella fabrics and personalized service. Shopping local also means faster delivery and the chance to see options in person.

6. Can POLYWOOD furniture stay outside all year?

Absolutely. POLYWOOD is built to handle every climate, from snowy winters to coastal salt spray. You don’t need to cover or store it seasonally — it’s made to live outdoors year-round.

7. How do you clean POLYWOOD furniture?

Cleaning POLYWOOD is simple: just use soap, water, and a soft brush or cloth. For tougher spots, a mild household cleaner works fine. Most customers at Skylar’s just rinse their furniture every few months to keep it looking fresh.

8. Where can I buy sustainable outdoor furniture in California?

If you’re looking for sustainable outdoor furniture in California, Skylar’s Home & Patio in Carlsbad is a great place to start. They carry POLYWOOD furniture, which is made from recycled plastics and built to last with minimal maintenance. Shopping locally also means you can see colors, fabrics, and styles in person — plus take advantage of exclusive upgrades like Sunbrella cushions that aren’t always available online.