Everything you need to know about our Amish-made poly and wood outdoor furniture in Rochester & Western New York — materials, weather, cleaning, custom colors, delivery, and warranties.
Poly vs. Wood — and Is It Worth It?
Is poly outdoor furniture worth the money?
Yes — for most people it’s the better long-term value. High-quality poly furniture never needs sanding, staining, or sealing, and it doesn’t rot, warp, or rust. Where a cheap metal or wicker set often gets replaced every few seasons, a well-built poly set lasts for decades, so the higher up-front price usually works out cheaper over time.
Poly lumber vs. wood patio furniture — which is better?
Both are excellent, and we carry both — it really comes down to the look you want and how hands-on you’d like to be. Our pressure-treated wood is treated to resist rot and insects, so it needs far less maintenance than untreated wood and holds up for years; it even comes weather-sealed, and after that an occasional coat of sealer every couple of seasons is optional — mostly to keep the warm color and limit surface graying. Poly lumber gives you that same classic wood look with essentially no maintenance at all, and it shrugs off our humid summers and snowy winters. So wood rewards a little occasional care with natural beauty, while poly asks almost nothing of you — and both are built to last.
Why is Amish patio furniture more expensive than the sets at big-box stores?
Because it’s built to last a lifetime, not a season. Our pieces use solid, heavy poly lumber, rust-resistant stainless hardware, and thick structural bracing — so they don’t wobble, flex, or blow off the deck the way thin, mass-produced sets do. You’re paying once for furniture that stays put and stays looking good for decades.
Does poly outdoor furniture fade?
No, not in the way painted or stained furniture does. The color in poly lumber is mixed all the way through the material and protected with built-in UV stabilizers, so it won’t peel, chip, or flake. After many years in full sun you may see a slight, even softening of the color, but never the blotchy fading or peeling you can get with a painted or stained finish.
How long does poly furniture last compared to pressure-treated wood?
Both are long-term investments. Quality pressure-treated wood holds up for many years — its treatment guards against rot and insects — and an occasional coat of sealer every couple of seasons (not every year) keeps it looking its best. Maintenance-free poly lumber commonly lasts 20–30 years or more with nothing more than an occasional wash with soap and water. The difference is less about which lasts longer and more about how much care you’d like to put in along the way.
What’s the difference between “Polywood” and poly lumber?
“POLYWOOD” is one specific brand name — people often use it as a catch-all the way they say “Kleenex” for tissue. “Poly lumber” is the actual material: recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) used by many quality makers, including the Amish lines we carry. So when you’re shopping, look at the build quality and the brand, not just the word “polywood.”
Weather, Winter & Sun in Western New York
Can I leave poly furniture outside all winter in Rochester?
Yes. Poly lumber doesn’t absorb water, so freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can’t crack or split it the way they can affect untreated wood or cheap plastic. You can leave it out year-round without it deteriorating.
Do I have to cover poly furniture or bring it inside for the winter?
No — and that’s the best part. Poly furniture stays right where it is, all winter, uncovered. It won’t crack, fade, rot, or rust, so there’s simply nothing to protect it from. Premium finished wood — think a beautiful redwood or teak set — is a different story: it looks wonderful at a summer family picnic, but once you’ve invested real money in it, the instinct is to guard that investment — covering it, hauling it into the garage or shed for the season, and uncovering it again for every nice day. For a lot of owners that becomes enough of a chore that the furniture ends up barely used. With poly there’s no cover to wrestle with and nothing to store. On a mild winter afternoon when the snow melts off, you just walk outside and sit down. (The only thing worth bringing in over a long wet winter is the Sunbrella cushions — the poly frames, tables, and benches need nothing.)
Does poly furniture get hot in the sun?
It warms up in direct sun, especially in darker colors, but it doesn’t get scorching or cause burns the way metal furniture can — poly doesn’t conduct heat nearly as much. If your patio gets full afternoon sun with no shade, lighter colors stay more comfortable to the touch.
Should I pick light or dark colors?
It’s a trade-off. Lighter colors (white, dove gray, sand tones) stay cooler in the sun but show pollen and dirt a little more, so they need rinsing more often. Darker colors (black, deep blue, green) hide dirt beautifully but feel warmer in peak sun. For an unshaded, sun-baked patio we usually steer folks toward lighter tones; for a shaded spot, the richer colors are perfect.
Will poly furniture blow away in the wind?
Very unlikely. Quality Amish poly furniture is dense and heavy — a single dining chair can weigh 40 pounds or more — so it stays anchored even in strong lake-effect gusts. That weight is one of the biggest reasons people upgrade from lightweight aluminum or resin sets.
What about the cushions — can they get rained on?
The Sunbrella fabric we use is highly water- and mold-resistant, so a passing shower is no problem. In a heavy soaking the inner foam can hold water, so the trick is to stand the cushions on edge so they drain and dry quickly in the sun. For long stretches of wet weather, a deck box or cover keeps them freshest.
Cleaning & Everyday Care
How do I clean poly furniture without a pressure washer?
It’s easy. Mix warm water with a little dish soap (Dawn works great), let it sit on the surface for about ten minutes, scrub gently along the grain with a soft-bristle brush, and rinse with a garden hose. That handles the everyday dirt and grease that settle into the wood-grain texture.
How do I get spring pollen off my patio furniture?
Rinse it first with a hose to knock off the loose layer, then wipe it down with a sponge and a little soapy water so the pollen doesn’t stick. A quick rinse every week or two during heavy pollen season keeps it from building up — a real consideration here in the spring.
How do I remove mold or mildew from white or light-colored poly?
For mildew in the grain, scrub the spot with a solution of one part bleach to two parts water, rinse well, and let it dry in the sun. It’s most common on pieces sitting in damp shade, so improving airflow or moving them into the sun now and then helps prevent it.
Do I ever have to seal, stain, or paint poly furniture?
No — never. Poly lumber is naturally resistant to moisture, insects, and rot all the way through, so there’s no sealing, staining, waterproofing, or repainting, ever. Soap and water is the whole maintenance routine.
Do squirrels really chew poly furniture, and how do I stop them?
They can — squirrels gnaw on hard surfaces to wear down their constantly-growing teeth, and they’ll occasionally go after poly edges or shred cushion foam for nesting. If you have a chewing problem, the proven fixes are a natural hot-pepper (capsaicin) or peppermint-oil spray on the legs and arms, motion-activated deterrents, and keeping a heavy-duty cover on when the furniture isn’t in use. We’re happy to talk through what’s worked for other customers in the area.
How do I take care of my wood outdoor furniture?
Keep it simple: wash it now and then with mild soap and water to remove dirt and pollen, and let it dry. Our wood furniture is built from premium pressure-treated, kiln-dried Southern Yellow Pine, so it’s already protected against rot and insects. You can order it unfinished — to paint or stain yourself — or have it factory weather-sealed; either way, a fresh coat of sealer or stain every couple of seasons is optional, mainly to keep the wood looking its best. Set it on a surface that drains rather than in standing water, and it will give you years of good-looking service.
Will my wood furniture turn gray, and can I prevent it?
Left unfinished to weather naturally, the pine softens to a silvery-gray patina over time — many people love that classic, lived-in look and leave it alone. If you’d rather hold the original tone, our factory weather-seal or a periodic Water Sealer Stain slows the graying and helps minimize surface checking. Either way it’s a cosmetic choice, not a sign of damage — the wood stays sound underneath.
How It’s Built — Materials & Hardware
Will the hardware rust?
The poly itself never rusts, and the lines we carry use corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware rather than the coated steel found on cheap sets — so you won’t get those ugly rust streaks running down light-colored furniture.
What is Tangent poly lumber?
Tangent is a premium grade of recycled HDPE poly used by Beaver Dam. It’s valued for strong impact resistance and dimensional stability, and it carries an environmental sustainability certification — so it’s genuinely eco-friendly, made largely from recycled plastics, and built to resist cracking, fading, and bugs.
Are the chairs just screwed together, or will they loosen up?
They’re solidly assembled with heavy-duty stainless steel screws and bolts, and many of our pieces use hidden-fastener construction so you see clean lines instead of exposed hardware. Combined with mortise-and-tenon joinery — the same time-tested technique used in fine Amish furniture — they stay tight and sturdy for the long haul.
What makes Amish poly sturdier than the poly sets at warehouse clubs?
Mostly the engineering. Box-store poly is often undersized, thin, and flexes or squeaks under weight. Our Amish lines use thick, heavy structural pieces and robust leg construction, so the furniture feels substantial, sits solidly, and comfortably handles full-size adults without wobbling.
What kind of warranty comes with your poly outdoor furniture?
Each of our lines comes with its own manufacturer warranty, and they’re comparable from one company to the next. Just as important, we stand behind what we sell — we’ve built our reputation over more than 22 years on taking care of our customers, so if you ever have a legitimate concern, we’ll do our best to make it right.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture Pieces
Which Adirondack chair is easiest to get in and out of?
If a traditional Adirondack’s low, leaned-back seat is hard on your knees or back, Tru180’s “EZ-Up” Adirondacks are the answer — they sit higher with flatter arms that give you leverage to stand, and a “Lumbar Curve” back that supports your spine. They’re a favorite with older customers and anyone with mobility or back concerns. We keep folding and non-folding Adirondacks on the floor in a wide range of styles and colors from all our lines, with matching end tables to set alongside them.
Do you have deep-seating “outdoor living room” sets?
Yes — all of our lines offer deep-seating collections, each in its own style: sofas, sectionals, chairs, and tables with plush, fade-resistant Sunbrella cushions on maintenance-free poly frames. We carry the full Sunbrella line, so you can match almost any look (a few premium fabrics carry a small upcharge). It’s the go-to for people who want indoor-level comfort that lives outside through our weather.
Do you carry the surfboard-shaped tables and coastal looks?
We do — Beaver Dam’s coastal and nautical pieces, including their surfboard-shaped dining and bar tables, bring a fun lakehouse vibe. With all the lakes and beaches around here, they’re a favorite for waterfront and camp properties, and we have customers who love them.
Do you have dining sets big enough for a large family?
Absolutely — larger sets are some of our most popular pieces. We stock round “café” or counter-height sets in 36″, 44″, 48″, and the new 60″ size, usually paired with balcony chairs, plus big rectangular dining tables (42″×72″ and 42″×96″) in dining or balcony height to seat the whole crowd. Swivel chairs are gaining popularity too, and they pair beautifully with the larger tables.
I have a small deck or balcony — do you have space-saving options?
Yes. Balcony- and counter-height sets are among our most popular pieces — compact tables paired with taller chairs that fit narrow decks, balconies, and railing setups without crowding the space. We keep a range of these on the floor and can help you find the right scale for your footprint.
Do you have gliders and rockers?
Plenty — we keep both single and double gliders right on the showroom floor. They’re built with thick, solid lumber and heavy-duty stainless bearing hardware, so they glide smoothly for years and hold up to real use without flexing. Settees, swings, and benches round out the motion-seating lineup.
Buying Outdoor Furniture in Rochester — Custom Orders & Delivery
Where can I buy poly patio furniture in Rochester?
At Amish Outlet & Gift Shop in North Chili. As a longtime dealer for the top Amish poly outdoor lines — Leisure Lawns (Backyard Comfort), Tru180, and Beaver Dam — we can order virtually any piece in any color, and we keep a wide selection on display, including our most popular balcony bar sets, Adirondacks, gliders, and dining sets. We’ve been selling quality lawn furniture here for over 22 years.
Can I custom-order colors?
Absolutely — this is one of the best reasons to buy in person. You can choose from 30 to 40 standard colors, plus premium colors for a small upcharge, with no limit on two-tone combinations to match your home. You’ll see the actual swatches in our showroom instead of guessing from a screen, and a one-third deposit gets your custom order started.
Does your furniture come fully assembled?
Yes. Instead of shipping you a heavy box of parts to build yourself, we bring your furniture assembled and ready to use — a real advantage with pieces this solid and dense.
Do you deliver, and how far?
Yes. We deliver throughout the greater Rochester and Western New York area, within about a 100-mile radius — which reaches well beyond the city. We charge a minimal delivery fee just to cover our costs, and we’ll place your furniture right where you want it: porch, deck, back patio, even a campsite. Prefer to pick it up? You’re welcome to, and we usually have someone on hand to help you load.
How long will it take to get my furniture after I order?
Many of our most popular pieces are in stock or quick-ship and can go home with you right away. Custom colors and configurations are made to order, and the timeline varies by manufacturer — we’ll always give you a realistic estimate when you order.
Do you offer financing on patio furniture?
Yes — and it’s the same whether you’re buying indoor or outdoor furniture. We offer financing through Wells Fargo, with interest-free options for most approved buyers, so you can furnish your whole space now and spread the cost over time. Just ask us in store for current terms.
Can I see and try the furniture before I buy?
Yes, and we recommend it. You can sit in the chairs, feel the weight and build quality, try the Tru180 Lumbar Curve, and compare colors in natural light at our North Chili showroom. For furniture you’ll keep for decades, trying it in person beats buying sight-unseen online.
Ready to Relax in Your Perfect Outdoor Space?
Visit our North Chili showroom to see our Amish-made poly and wood outdoor furniture in person — Adirondacks, gliders, deep seating, and dining sets from Leisure Lawns, Tru180, and Beaver Dam. Choose from 30 to 40 colors, custom-order any two-tone combination, and we’ll deliver it fully assembled throughout Rochester and Western New York.