With the growing popularity of creating an inviting outdoor living space, high-quality outdoor furniture is more in demand than ever. Two brands that stand out in the outdoor furniture market are Berlin Gardens and POLYWOOD.
Both offer attractive, durable collections for outdoor environments. But which is the better option for your patio, deck, or backyard? We’ll dive into the pros and cons of Berlin Gardens versus POLYWOOD outdoor furniture to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Berlin Gardens | POLYWOOD |
| Materials | Shorea wood, aluminum, wicker | HDPE lumber from recycled plastic |
| Style | European inspired with ornate accents | Traditional, East Coast profiles |
| Colors | Neutral tones with limited options | 20+ colors to mix and match |
| Comfort | Plush foam cushions | Hard plastic, optional cushions |
| Durability | 10-year residential frame warranty | 20-year residential warranty |
| Price | Mid to high price range | High end pricing |
| Assembly | Includes tools, professional assembly available | Snap-together, tool-free assembly |
| Manufacturing | Made in Indonesia | Made in the USA |
| Environmental Impact | Uses sustainably harvested wood | Made from 90% recycled materials |
Overview of Berlin Gardens
Berlin Gardens is an outdoor furniture company known for its European inspired designs and high-quality materials.
Founded in 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Berlin Gardens combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to create sustainable yet stylish outdoor furniture.
Their collections include everything from dining sets, lounge chairs, bar stools, and more.
Here are some key things to know about Berlin Gardens:
- Materials – Berlin Gardens uses Shorea wood for most of its collections which is dense, water, rot, and insect resistant. Aluminum and faux wicker are also options.
- Style – Displays European influence with clean lines and ornamental accents. Their wicker collection has a fresh, beachy aesthetic.
- Durability – Backed by a 10-year residential frame warranty. All-weather cushions have 5-year warranties.
- Price – Mid to high price points. More expensive than mass-market brands but lower than high-end designers.
- Made in Indonesia – Crafted by artisans but still imported. Limited color and fabric customization.
- Assembly – Ships flat-packed but tools and instructions are included for assembly.
Overview of POLYWOOD
POLYWOOD is a leading manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic. Founded in 1990 in Syracuse, New York, POLYWOOD was one of the first companies to create wood-alternative furniture perfect for outdoor use.
Their furniture has a wood-like look but is made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene) that stands up to sun, rain, snow, and saltwater environments.
Here are some key features of POLYWOOD furnishings:
- Materials – POLYWOOD uses lumber from milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, and other HDPE to create a wood-grain polymer that looks and feels like real wood but is resistant to moisture, fading, and staining.
- Style – Their collections capture a traditional, New England aesthetic with some contemporary profiles as well.
- Durability – Backed by a 20-year residential frame and hardware warranty.
- Price – POLYWOOD is priced in the mid to high price range, more affordable than exotic hardwoods.
- Made in USA – POLYWOOD furniture is proudly manufactured in the United States.
- Customization – Many products offer over 20 color options that can be mixed and matched.
Berlin Gardens And POLYWOOD: Comparison of Key Factors
Now that we’ve provided an overview of each brand, let’s directly compare Berlin Gardens and POLYWOOD across some of the most important factors for outdoor furniture.
Quality of Materials
- Berlin Gardens uses premium Shorea wood along with aluminum and all-weather wicker. Their materials stand up well in outdoor environments but may be prone to some swelling, checking, and discoloration over time if not properly sealed and maintained.
- POLYWOOD is made from HDPE lumber that offers durability and weather-resistance unmatched by natural woods. Their material is impervious to cracking, peeling, rotting and won’t require staining or sealing.
POLYWOOD offers exceptional all-weather performance and less maintenance.
Style
- Berlin Gardens displays European inspired styling with ornamental accents and elegant, clean lines. Their wicker collection has a lightweight, beachy look.
- POLYWOOD has a traditional, East Coast aesthetic for many of its collections with some contemporary and modern profiles as well. The wood-grain finish provides a natural look.
For those desiring ornate embellishments and decorative details, Berlin Gardens offers more varied styling.
Color/Customization
- Berlin Gardens has a limited color palette for each collection, usually neutral tones like black, white, tan, gray with some navy blue and forest green accents. Custom color changes or fabric patterns aren’t available.
- POLYWOOD provides 20+ color options spanning the rainbow that can be mixed and matched within a set. This allows for more customization to match your outdoor space.
If matching your existing color scheme is a priority, POLYWOOD offers more flexibility.
Comfort
- Berlin Gardens uses thick, high-density foam for chair, sofa, and loungers. The angled backs and contoured seats provide ergonomic support and comfort.
- POLYWOOD also incorporates contoured, ergonomic profiles but the hard plastic lumber doesn’t offer the same cushioning as Berlin Garden’s softer foam cushions. However, POLYWOOD does sell optional cushion sets.
For plush comfort, Berlin Gardens wins with their generously padded cushions. Add-on cushions can help increase POLYWOOD’s comfort.
Durability
- Berlin Gardens stands behind their craftsmanship with a 10-year residential frame warranty. The Shorea wood holds up well outdoors but may be more prone to weathering effects versus synthetic materials.
- POLYWOOD provides an exceptional 20-year residential warranty. Their HDPE polymer retains its color and resists moisture, mildew, stains, salt spray making it extremely low maintenance.
For the ultimate in all-weather resistance, POLYWOOD is the clear frontrunner.
Price
- Berlin Gardens is the more affordable choice for premium outdoor furniture with prices in the mid to upper price ranges.
- POLYWOOD has price tags at the higher end which reflect the exceptional durability of their proprietary HDPE lumber. The investment pays dividends in reduced maintenance and replacement costs down the road.
Those with more modest budgets may favor Berlin Gardens reasonably priced offerings with high-quality materials.
Assembly
- Berlin Gardens ships their furniture flat packed but includes assembly tools and instructions. The pieces connect together securely with bolts and Allen wrenches. Professional assembly can be purchased.
- POLYWOOD also ships knockdown style. Simple tools are provided but POLYWOOD’s unique Hideaway Fastening System allows pieces to snap together by hand without tools for quicker assembly.
For the easiest DIY assembly, POLYWOOD’s snap-together system is advantageous.
Made In
- Berlin Gardens sources their craftsmanship from Indonesia which allows competitive pricing but is still an imported product. This limits some customization and lead times.
- POLYWOOD manufacturers 100% of their furniture in the United States. This allows for quicker fulfillment but also contributes to their higher pricing.
Supporting American manufacturing may make POLYWOOD the patriotic choice for some buyers.
Environmental Impact
One important consideration for eco-conscious consumers is the environmental friendliness of outdoor furniture brands.
Berlin Gardens uses sustainably harvested Shorea wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. While made from natural materials, there is still some environmental impact associated with harvesting, manufacturing, and shipping Berlin Gardens’ wood furniture.
As a company, Berlin Gardens focuses on responsible sourcing and manufacturing processes to reduce their carbon footprint.
In contrast, POLYWOOD’s unique product is made from approximately 90% recycled materials rescued from landfills. They utilize green practices at their manufacturing facilities as well. The company estimates over 700,000 milk jugs and detergent bottles are recycled yearly in their HDPE furniture.
For the most environmentally friendly choice, POLYWOOD is the greener brand. Their use of recycled HDPE has less impact on natural resources while keeping plastics out of landfills.
Which Is Better: Berlin Gardens or POLYWOOD?
Berlin Gardens and POLYWOOD both offer high-quality outdoor furniture with attractive designs. For those wanting striking European aesthetics, ornate detailing, and plush cushions, Berlin Gardens is sure to impress. Their use of Shorea wood provides durability at a reasonable price point.
However, for exceptional weather resistance and easiest maintenance, POLYWOOD is hard to beat. Their HDPE lumber retains its like-new look year after year. With over 20 color choices and American manufacturing, POLYWOOD gives you maximum customization.
While the higher initial investment may be a consideration, POLYWOOD ultimately wins out with their unparalleled durability and reduced environmental impact. Their snap-together assembly and expansive color options make coordinating your design simple.
For outdoor furniture that will last for decades, POLYWOOD is the superior choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Trex is the other major brand that manufactures outdoor furniture from wood-alternative plastics. Their Trex Transcend collection uses a proprietary shell made from recycled plastic and wood fibers. It offers similar durability and low maintenance as POLYWOOD.
2. Highwood is another company utilizing recycled plastic for weather-resistant outdoor chairs, tables, and loungers. Their Eco-Lite HDPE lumber competes directly with POLYWOOD.
3. While other furniture may look similar, POLYWOOD originated the all-weather HDPE category and remains an industry leader.
Yes, Berlin Gardens is known for making high-quality outdoor furniture with premium materials like Shorea wood, aluminum, and all-weather wicker. They offer attractive European styling at reasonable mid-range price points. With proper care, Berlin Gardens’ furnishings will last for many years in outdoor environments.
Some competitors are Trex, Highwood, Oxford Garden, Hanover, Gronomics, Outdeco, etc. These brands all offer outdoor furniture made from alternative plastics and resins that compete directly with POLYWOOD’s HDPE lumber. In terms of durability, maintenance, and color choice however, POLYWOOD is still the market leader.
Both Trex and POLYWOOD make high-performing outdoor furniture from recycled plastic lumber, but POLYWOOD is the higher quality option overall.
Reasons POLYWOOD is better:
1. More color choices – POLYWOOD offers over 20 colors vs. Trex’s more limited options
2. Fade resistance – POLYWOOD has superior color retention technology
3. No maintenance – POLYWOOD never needs sanding or refinishing; Trex may require occasional upkeep
4. Warranty – POLYWOOD warranty is longer at 20 years vs. Trex at 10
5. Made in USA – POLYWOOD manufactures domestically; Trex sources internationally
For the very best in low-maintenance, weather-resistant outdoor furniture, POLYWOOD is the winner over Trex.
Final Thoughts
Both Berlin Gardens and POLYWOOD produce high-quality outdoor furniture, but they excel in different areas. Berlin Gardens offers ornate European styling and plush cushions at a more affordable mid-range price point.
POLYWOOD features traditional all-American designs in low-maintenance recycled plastic lumber and over 20 custom color choices.
While POLYWOOD’s furniture comes at a higher cost, it is backed by a 20-year warranty and made in the USA. POLYWOOD’s durability and weather-resistance are unmatched. For buyers prioritizing style and comfort, Berlin Gardens is an attractive option.
But for those wanting minimal maintenance and maximum color choice, POLYWOOD is the superior outdoor furniture brand.
