Can Polywood Stay Outside In Winter?

For anyone thinking of buying patio furniture made out of polywood, you may be asking yourself if it can stand up to the severe weather during the winter months.

It’s a question that most people would like to have answered before investing in outdoor patio furniture.

Since I myself have invested quite a bit of money into synthetic and composite decking materials, I thought I might as well give some insight about whether or not it’ll last throughout the winter months.

Can You Put Polywood Furniture Outside During Winters?

You can put Polywood furniture outdoors during winters. However, note that exposed outdoor use of Polywood furniture will require occasional cleaning and repair to prevent damaged from prolonged exposure to the elements.

How Weatherproof Is Polywood?

Polywood is a synthetic wood material that is made for outdoor use. It’s a great alternative to natural wood because it can withstand harsh weather conditions such as humidity, heat, cold, and even water.

Unlike wood when left outside, and exposed to the elements, wood can expand and contract which can cause warping. Polywood, however, is designed to withstand moisture and subzero temperatures and won’t crack, peel, swell, or warp.

Due to the ease of use, UV protectant, and longevity of Polywood furniture, it’s often recommended by many homeowners.

People that are allergic to certain types of wood will also find Polywood Furniture is a good environmental option because it’s made with recycled materials and is not treated with chemicals.

Overall, Polywood Furniture is simple to clean, durable, and low maintenance, making it a convenient option for those looking for long-lasting, high-quality and weatherproof outdoor furniture.

How Winter Can Damage Your Polywood Furniture?

During very dense or heavy fog, freezing air, and even snow, outdoor furniture may become warped, rusted, and can even decay. And even certain objects, including plastic, can become brittle and more vulnerable to melting in the freezing conditions.

Difference Between Polywood and Plastic?

There are a few differences between Polywood and plastic in outdoor use.

Plastic’s density is roughly half that of a Polywood; it is slightly heavier in weight than plastic (but lighter than steel), but is less prone to rotting or getting brittle in the harsh winter conditions that can occur.

Its surface is also slightly more resistant to water damage than most plastics (although the nature of this resistance varies – some plastics are more water-resistant than others).

It will also not chip or crack as much as laminate has a tendency to do, although ageing and sun exposure will make Polywood susceptible to UV degradation if exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time (just like any other material).

Once your Polywood furniture gets crumbly, you may need to sand it down. However, with regular pressure washing or cleaning your Polywood, it should be able to withstand the winter elements with no additional issues.

Protect Your Polywood From Winter Damage

To protect outdoor furniture, there are several measures that can be taken to ensure that your investment will stand the test of time.

Covers

One of the first things you should do is to cover your furniture when not in use. Cloth covers are ideal for low maintenance protection as they are designed to wick moisture away from the material and prevent it from getting wet.

They also help shield your furniture from dirt and debris that accumulates during inclement weather conditions. They may be easy to put on but they do provide effective protection in the face of harsh weather conditions.

Sealants

Another way to prevent winter damage on furniture is to apply weather sealant on the pieces that are prone to absorbing water or moisture.

I recommend using polyurethane varnish (PUV) for this task which can be bought at any hardware store for very cheap. Just make sure to put on two or three coats of PUV so as not to create bubbles in between coats.

When applying PUV make sure you are wearing a mask and if possible use gloves as well since it may dry out your skin if applied too much and without protective gear on it would cause nasty cracks on your hands similar to peeling sunburned skin after too much sun exposure without protection.

How To Store Outdoor Furniture During Winter?

Even though you can use Polywood furniture in the winter, you might want to know how to store it just in case. Yes, you might love your outdoor patio furniture so much that you don’t want it to get dusty or mold during storage but at the same time, storage is a must if you want to conserve the condition of the Polywood furniture.

That being said, you don’t want to place it fully exposed to the elements all the time. There are a few ways on how you should best store your patio furniture during the offseason.

Clean It Up

This is probably the most important advice I can give you and also a very obvious one. Before putting away your Polywood furniture for the winter, you should first clean it for any dirt, food, or mud. If these are left in your Polywood furniture, they can turn into mildew or mould.

Check For Damages

During the off-season, it is important to keep your patio furniture clean and dry. The first thing that you have to do before storing your patio furniture is to inspect your furniture for tears or damages that could have happened because of the weather or accidents. You have to fix these before putting your patio furniture in storage.

Prior to storing your outdoor furniture, you should check all hardware and screws to ensure they are tight and sturdy. If you find any loose screws or broken parts, replace them immediately.

Humidifier

On top of that, you might want to purchase a humidifier to protect your outdoor furniture from becoming too dry while being stored.

Add Covers

In addition, you have to cover furniture and make sure that it is stored in a room that is kept relatively cool and dry since cold air can cause furniture to shrink. Be sure to remove all cushions and if you can’t store the cushions then make sure that you store them separately. It can also keep your furniture from getting dirtier than it already is and from any other kind of damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Polywood is a durable material that can withstand winter outdoor weather. If you do not need it, it is advisable to store it indoors. Get it repaired and replace the parts that are damaged from winter weather so as to keep the furniture in great shape and condition.

You might want to store your furniture indoors to protect it from freezing, dry, and hot weather. You can keep your outdoor furniture intact by maintaining it regularly during the off-season to prevent any small problems from turning into big problems.