Adirondacks chairs are a beloved and distinct style of outdoor furniture. This classic design has a long history that spans to today’s high-tech environmentally friendly materials from POLYWOOD.
Turn of the Century Design
The first Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee in 1903 while he was vacationing in his summer home in the Adirondack Mountains. Lee built the chair with a sloping seat and back, using family members to test his prototype.
As summer ended, Lee gave his friend Harry Bunnell his design plans, so that Bunnell could sell the chairs out of his carpentry shop. The chairs proved immensely popular, so Bunnell quickly applied for a patent, without notifying Lee. Despite the oversight, Lee didn’t take steps to reclaim the rights to his design. Inspired by his family’s need for outdoor seating, Lee created an iconic design that has become synonymous with American summers.
Adirondacks Go High Tech
One of the first products developed at POLYWOOD All-Weather Furnishings was the Classic Adirondack, which remains their top selling Adirondack to date. POLYWOOD’s Adirondack chair line was introduced in the late 1980s.
Since then, the company has added several styles of Adirondacks.
Classic Adirondacks
POLYWOOD offers two styles of Classic Adirondacks. Both styles fold for easy storage and transportation, and they have the shortest seat heights (14″) of all our Adirondacks – making them the closest to the ground…a great fit for the vertically challenged.
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POLYWOOD’s top seller, the Classic Adirondack is your traditional folding Adirondack, with straight arms and classic details. While their Classic Oversized Curveback Adirondack is just that–an oversized version of the Classic Adirondack. It’s constructed with a wider material, a wider seat, and reduced slat spacing on the seat and back.
Palm Coast Adirondacks
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POLYWOOD’s Palm Coast and Palm Coast Folding Adirondacks are almost identical. Both feature a sleek contoured arm for additional room side to side as you relax, but the folding version folds for easy storage and transportation. You’ll notice that the folding version also features a contoured front ‘apron’ – the front horizontal piece of the chair.
South Beach Adirondack
The South Beach Adirondack sits higher than POLYWOOD’s other Adirondacks (16” seat height) – which could be a perfect fit for those who are taller. It also features a wider frame allowing more room for you to pull your feet up and cozy up under a blanket. Bonus! The arms are actually oversized too so you can rest your drink right by your side.
Long Island Adirondack
The Long Island Adirondack is similar to our South Beach Adirondack in size, seat dimensions and roomy contoured arms, but it features a unique ‘flower’ curved and closed back.
Seashell Adirondack
The Seashell Adirondack features an elegant waterfall seat (see how the seat slats continue down the front of the chair?). This is one of our larger Adirondacks with a sturdy 1-1/2″ thick front leg.
Modern Adirondacks (Trio & Quattro)
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The Modern Trio and Modern Quattro Adirondacks are almost identical. The two different back styles give a modern twist to the traditional Adirondack. Both feature wide contemporary arms and subtly curved back slats for comfort.
Kids Adirondack
This adorable, pint-size Kids’ Adirondack chair is fashioned from the South Beach design with a 4-slatted curved shell back and simple straight arms.
Still not sure which Adirondack is for you? One of the most prominent characteristics of POLYWOOD’s Adirondack chairs are the backs. They feature a variety of styles from straight to curved, 3 slats to 7 slats, and classic to modern. There is a style for everyone!
Here is a great side by side reference to quickly compare each of the adirondacks discussed above. Print it out when you’re ready to shop at HOMEFIELD, and we’ll get you relaxing this summer even faster.
