Buying an adirondack chair is easy...but choosing the correct one can be very difficult indeed. The typical design of an adirondack chair is amazingly simple. That's why there are so many manufacturers. It's easy to build a chair...and even easier to build a poor quality one. Price is always a good indicator. Even more important are the significant differences in materials and craftsmanship.

Low Quality

Cheap chairs are manufactured using inexpensive materials and generally lack craftsmanship. Because this is outdoor furniture these low end products simply do not last. Some examples are pine, spruce and fir. Pine is the absolute worst especially when it comes to outdoor furniture. Pine absorbs moisture at an extreme rate, tends to cup, crack, bow and warp. It will require lots of maintenance to offer any reliability at all. I suggest you prime and paint it...there is no alternative. I would be cautious of pre-finished furniture, above all any imported from Asia. Whether the paint is safe or not I suspect the finish will fail rather quickly regardless. It goes without saying You Get What You Pay For.

Average Quality

If the bar is set higher in terms of your expectations there is an assortment of adirondack chairs available. However the majority are only of average or mediocre quality. Be aware of questionable marketing, myths and misinformation associated with these products. Auction language such as the product description and any images should be evaluated and considered. Don't be afraid to ask for close-ups and larger pictures. Unfortunately some sellers intentionally mislead buyers by excluding crucial details in their descriptions such as the thickness of the wood they use and the weight of the chair. This is very important information!! You should interpret these significant omissions like a RED FLAG. It is essential buyers know what they are or aren't paying for. Look closely and you will even find some chairs that have parts that are stapled / nailed together. Good grief. Remember this furniture will get plenty of use and a paltry 19 or 20 pound chair will not stand the test of time. It's too bad buyers aren't able to leave feedback up to a year after purchasing their chairs.... because what might seem like a great deal today usually ends up being a big disappointment later. Sadly, what I find incredible is that there are buyers apparently that just don't seem to really care. Their hard earned money is being spent on furniture that most likely won't last more than a few seasons. That being said, unreliable manufacturers and deceiving sellers will always be pushing less than desirable furniture. Hence the saying buyer beware. It is very important that you the buyer be informed and knowledgeable about the product you are contemplating purchasing. Ask lots of questions. Find out what the real features and SPECIFIC DETAILS of the chair are. Read between the lines and separate fiction from fact. Think about why a seller would make certain claims. For instance a seller may declare his chairs are made one at a time in his wood shop, not in some factory on an assembly line...what does that mean?...that on weekends he chops up fence boards in his garage. Probably. How about a seller that states there is no need to treat cedar because it is naturally resistant to rot and pests...now that is just unbelievable. What about a seller who proclaims his chair has a lifetime warranty...I thought that line was exclusive to purses bought on the beach in Mexico. Folks these are but a few examples. Obviously what is important is the product itself. Middle of the road products are frequently made from white cedar, aromatic cedar and cypress, etc. In almost all cases it is only 3/4" thick. Anything less would be utterly insufficient. In any event the grade of wood used is average at best and overall craftsmanship is limited. If it is western red cedar it is probably laden with an abundance of knots. Again it's really about what your expectations are. Don't expect a cadillac if you purchase a volkswagen. Don't expect a volkswagen to have the look, feel and comfort of a cadillac.

Premium Quality

If a premium quality adirondack chair is what you deserve and would prefer to own don't despair. I offer an exceptional handcrafted Western Red Cedar Adirondack Chair. Nothing else compares to the extraordinary beauty of western red cedar. The natural characteristics and durability of this species of wood are remarkable. High end chairs should be manufactured with Clear Grade 5/4 Western Red Cedar (no knots). Knots belong on fences and siding certainly not furniture. You definitely will avoid problems and disappointment by purchasing clear grade cedar products. Superior craftsmanship including finely sanded surfaces, fully routed edges and pre-drilled holes are a must. Properly finished and maintained, a premium quality adirondack chair will last decades. I believe you should be absolutely proud of your furniture and be able to show it off knowing you made a great purchase. I hope this information will help.