Is Polypropylene Good for Outdoor Furniture?

Choosing the best material for outdoor furniture is easier than it seems. There are plenty of materials to choose from and they each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. One of them is the polypropylene, which is also known as polymer resin material. Is this a good choice for outdoor furniture?

At Maka Furniture, we provide a variety of outdoor furniture made with different types of materials to suit your needs and preference. In this guide, you will learn all the information you need to know to help you decide if poly furniture is a good investment and why.

What is Polypropylene?

Polypropylene is a form of thermoplastic polymer resin. Known simply as poly, it is derived from recycled plastic from detergent bottles, milk jugs, and other types of plastic containers. It was first introduced in 1954 when the material was produced using a method known as polymerization. Since then, the material has been mass produced and is now one of the most popular materials used for the manufacture of outdoor furniture. It has plenty of applications in the commercial and industrial uses, too.

Its versatility is one of the reasons why this material is widely used. Approximately 45 million tons of polypropylene material is produced every year. This is equivalent to a consumer market valued at $65 Billion. Among the common uses for this material, aside from outdoor furniture, is food containers, paper, carpet, plastic parts, technology, and other reusable products.

Advantages of Polypropylene Material for Outdoor Furniture

When it comes to the use of polypropylene in the manufacture of outdoor furniture, this material has grown in popularity over recent years. In fact, poly furniture is the preferred option for many, especially for use in outdoor patios and decks. The advancement in technologies has enabled hybrid compositions and advanced manufacturing processes that make this material more versatile than it once was. These processes enable the outdoor furniture makers to form them into various shapes and sizes to fit their intended design.  Therefore, you may use it to create any outdoor furniture design that you have in mind.

Another reason why polypropylene is a popular material for outdoor furniture is that it is lightweight and inexpensive. If you want to save money on outdoor furniture pieces without compromising style and design, then poly furniture is a great choice. The fact that they are lightweight, too, makes them a good investment. It makes it easy to move them around or transfer them to another location, when desired, with ease.

The chemical makeup in polypropylene material is partially responsible for the fade-resistant quality of outdoor furniture. The color is embedded in the chemical composition of the material rather than coated on the exposed surface. Therefore, it does not fade easily and you can expect the outdoor furniture to look their best for longer. This is good news for those who are thinking twice about investing in plastic outdoor furniture. With this type of material, you won’t have to worry about fading and you can get more value for your money (especially since this material is inexpensive compared to wood, teak, and other outdoor furniture materials).

The resilience of polypropylene material is another feature worth mentioning. It does not warp easily, even when exposed to harsh elements such as extreme heat in the summer or cold in the winter. It maintains its shape and can look brand new even after years since you bought it. One of the reasons for this is that the polymer resin material does not absorb water just like other types of plastic. Hence, it won’t deteriorate from within and there is also no need to worry about bacterial growth, mold, or mildew. It can also sustain a great deal of damage before it is broken. It will not shatter on its own even when it is exposed to the harshest environment.

You do not need to compromise style when investing in poly outdoor furniture, either. This material can easily resemble other more popular (and expensive) materials such as wicker, wood, and rattan. The recycled material can be molded into whatever shape or size you want to create the desired style. And since it is quite resilient to nature, there is no need for additional finishes.

If the exceptional weather resistance of polypropylene material on outdoor furniture is not enough reason to choose this, think about the ease of maintenance. In the following section, you will learn about the proper steps you need to take in order to care for and extend the life of the outdoor furniture.

In terms of safety, this material is very safe to use on outdoor furniture. Choosing non-toxic materials is a must, especially if you have kids at home. You want to prevent your family from being exposed to harsh materials and this is something that you need not worry about when you choose PPP materials. They are non-staining and non-toxic. In fact, it is recommended as one of the best alternatives to BPA. More consumers have now made a conscious effort to stay away from container materials that have BPA as it can be hazardous to human health, when it is mixed with the food that is stored in it. Make sure to avoid them if you can, especially if you have children.

When it comes to choosing polypropylene outdoor chairs and furniture, you can rest assured that your family’s health is not compromised. This explains why there is a recent surge in popularity for this type of outdoor furniture in the market today. Experts predict that this upward trend will continue in the years to come.

Caring for Polypropylene Outdoor Furniture

Resilience is one of the most favorable features of polypropylene material. But when you choose this material for outdoor furniture, it is important to know that it requires a specific approach when it comes to care. While low maintenance in nature, you still need to know the proper steps to clean them.

You need to wash the polypropylene outdoor chairs with a mild cleaning solution. You can scrub it but try not to use a cleaning tool that is too abrasive. Simply give it a good enough scrub that will remove dirt, debris, and other residues. You can even use a homemade cleaning solution of cleaning bleach and water, if you run out of a cleaning product. Another cleaning solution you can use is mild soap and warm water.

In most cases, wiping it with a clean cloth will do, depending on the extent of the dirt and grime on the outdoor chairs and furniture.  

Buying Polypropylene Outdoor Chairs

The polypropylene outdoor chairs are designed for indoor and outdoor use. This is yet another reason to consider them when shopping for new furniture. Depending on where you get them from, they are relatively lightweight and are available in a variety of color options (to match your desired decorating theme). The best part of all is that polypropylene is made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. If you care about reducing your carbon footprint and would want to do so by choosing materials you consume that reduce waste, then polypropylene outdoor chairs are a good choice.

When buying these outdoor chairs, make sure you check for warranty. The outdoor furniture should have completed a product testing, too, to ensure quality and durability. And finally, an EU certification is a bonus, if you can find them.

Maka is a trusted furniture manufacturer in China and online. If you are looking for custom-made furniture, whether for indoor or outdoor use, you can trust us to deliver. At Maka Furniture, we ensure furniture quality since it has completed a variety of testing such as EN 581 and EN 12520 tests. This is how we guarantee quality and durability.