Why Are Adirondack Chairs So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

Adirondack chairs are a staple of outdoor furniture.

They provide great comfort and last well in the outdoors.

If you want to add to your backyard’s beauty, then Adirondack chairs will be a great choice.

However, the price of these types of chairs may turn some away.

Here are 10 reasons Adirondack chairs are so expensive.

 

Why Are Adirondack Chairs So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

1. High-Quality Materials

 

One of the reasons Adirondack chairs are so expensive is that they are made from high-quality materials.

A lot of care goes into selecting the type of wood that’s used in each chair’s construction.

Because these are outdoor chairs, not just any type of wood will suffice.

Traditionally, teak is the choice of material for Adirondack chairs.

Not everyone enjoys using teak, however, because it can be difficult to find the unknotted wood.

Other common types of wood materials include:

• Cedar
• Mahogany
• White Oak
• White Pine

All of these types of wood are ideal for the outdoors because they look great.

Some, like cedar, already have a natural resistance to water.

Since wood is the primary material used in making Adirondack chairs, most of the expense comes from the type of wood.

If a certain type of wood is difficult to find or there’s a shortage of it, then you can expect the price for it to climb.

When there’s high demand and low supply, prices soar.

Since Adirondack chairs need a lot of wood, if lumber prices are high, then the cost of making the chair is also going to be high.

 

2. Lifetime Warranty

 

Many Adirondack chair manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their work.

That’s because these chairs rarely have problems with them.

They’re made to last.

To ensure they last for an extended amount of time, they’ll include a lifetime warranty to cover any repairs that you need on the chair.

If it somehow becomes damaged from a storm or accident, then the warranty will cover its repair.

Since they offer a lifetime warranty, the price of the chair is slightly higher.

That’s because the manufacturer wants to ensure they can delegate some money from the purchase to a repair fund.

Even if the buyer never brings it in for a repair, that repair fund is usable for other chairs that do need a repair.

It ensures that they can make good on their warranty without losing money in the process.

The result is a higher price on Adirondack chairs.

 

3. Unique Design

 

Another reason Adirondack chairs are expensive is their unique design.

They were originally created in the Adirondack mountains by Thomas Lee.

As a lover of nature, he wanted to make a chair that could rest on hills and other outdoor terrains.

He designed the Adirondack chair.

He’d go on to show his designs to Harry Bunnell who’d patent the chair’s design.

The design would undergo another change later by Irving Wolpin.

His design is the most popular today.

It features wide arms and a sloped back which increases comfort.

Whereas many chairs share a similar design, the Adirondack chair has a design and shape all its own.

Because of its uniqueness, it’s more expensive than a standard chair.

 

4. Slow Manufacture

 

Manufacturing Adirondack chairs takes time.

While some manufacturers use an assembly line, many others prefer to make them by hand.

That’s because the unique shape and design of the chair are better suited for manual labor over automated labor.

The problem with manual labor is that it’s more costly.

It also takes some time to make an Adirondack chair.

The wood needs shaping before can be assembled with other parts.

Once everything is ready, the laborers can put it all together.

Human error can also delay the process.

If something doesn’t fit correctly, then they need new materials and more time to complete the project.

Adirondack chairs are expensive because a lot of manual labor goes into making them.

 

5. Durability

 

The fact that Adirondack chairs are durable also plays a factor in the cost.

They use the best materials in their creation.

As such, Adirondack chairs hold up well in all types of weather.

They’re also usable on different types of terrain.

Whether the terrain is rocky, sandy, firm, or soft, the chair holds up well.

That costs money.

It also means you’ll need to buy fewer Adirondack chairs to replace broken ones.

Because of that, manufacturers need to receive enough money from the initial sale.

For many buyers, it’s a one-time purchase.

To keep their business sustainable, they put a high price on the chairs.

If you see an Adirondack chair from a manufacturer that’s cheap, then the chances of it being quality or durable are low.

 

6. Treated Wood

 

Certain manufacturers choose to use treated wood to make their Adirondack chairs.

The reason for this is that treated wood traditionally holds up well outdoors.

It won’t rot when exposed to water for a long time.

It’s also safe against parasites and other ailments that can befall wood.

The problem with using treated wood to make Adirondack chairs is that it’s expensive and time-consuming.

Treated wood undergoes several processes to make it resistant to several types of decay.

It uses a pressurized chamber to embed the chemicals deep within the wood.

That costs money to operate and make.

Once the treated wood is ready, it’s then difficult to bend and twist to make the traditional Adirondack chair design.

The wood is stiff and prefers to remain straight.

There’s also always a risk that parts of the wood that didn’t receive the treatment will be exposed to the natural world.

Due to its difficulty in shaping, it takes more time to construct the chair.

That also adds to the cost.

While the benefit of having Adirondack chairs made out of treated wood is that they’ll last longer, it also means that it’s to going to be more expensive.

Using a naturally resistant tree like cypress or cedar is a cheaper option.

 

7. Customization

 

One big reason Adirondack chairs are expensive is that they’re customized.

You can buy cookie-cutter chairs at a cheaper price.

However, several custom options can make the Adirondack chair fit your personality.

One example is those who make and paint the chairs to represent your favorite sports team.

Your chair can feature the team’s colors or even its logo.

Another common customization option is switching out the shape of the back of the chair with the shape of your home state.

This fun customization option brings some personality to the chair but also takes longer to make.

Whenever you add paint or different shapes to the chair, it takes extra labor.

That adds to the cost of the chair.

In the case of paint, you also need more materials to paint the chair with the design that you want.

Customized Adirondack chairs are more expensive than those that are traditional.

 

8. Labor

 

The location where they manufacture Adirondack chairs also matters.

Most Adirondack chairs come from the United States.

They’re either part of a larger business or independent carpenters make them.

Since their labor comes from the United States, they need to be paid, at the very least, minimum wage.

In most cases, since building Adirondack chairs requires specialized skills and understanding, they pay more than the required minimum wage.

This differs from other countries where pay is often a pittance compared to the United States.

The reason many products from China are cheaper is that they either don’t pay their employees well or the US dollar is stronger than the Chinese currency.

It’s often why American businesses miss out on opportunities.

They’re unable to match the cheap labor of Chinese businesses.

The wages that the workers earn through making an Adirondack chair reflect in the price of the chair.

You can expect American-made Adirondack chairs to be more expensive.

 

9. Low Supply

 

Adirondack chairs aren’t mass-produced like many other products.

While some businesses produce a large number in a year, it’s usually still limited.

That’s because manufacturers know that they have a niche market.

Not only homeowners, hotels, resorts, and Airbnbs will have an interest in Adirondack chairs.

Certain apartment renters and condo residents might also buy them.

However, their target audience is homeowners.

Not every house uses Adirondack chairs throughout the year either.

They may not want to carry the heavy chairs inside a shed during the winter season.

As a result, manufacturers barely make enough chairs to cover demand.

Others don’t produce any until they receive an order.

Since there’s always a bit more demand than supply for traditional Adirondack chairs, the price for them can be high.

 

10. Status Symbol

 

A final reason Adirondack chairs are expensive is that they’re a status symbol.

People buy them exactly because they’re expensive.

It’s a way to show their neighbors that they’re affluent.

While some buy them simply because they look good and they’re comfortable, others use them as decorations.

The decoration proves that they have enough money to burn on stylish chairs.

Sellers of Adirondack chairs know this.

Since their chairs are often considered a luxury purchase, it verifies and vindicates their high price point.

 

How To Save Money On Adirondack Chairs

 

There are a few ways you can save money when buying Adirondack chairs.

Consider the following tips to save money.

 

1. Shop Local

Before you buy from an expensive manufacturer or big business of Adirondack chairs, look to see if any local builders make them.

Local builders are more willing to sell them at cheaper prices.

While you still shouldn’t expect a large discount—they need to eat dinner, too—they are more willing than big businesses to cut you a deal.

They often throw in a four-for-three or five-for-four deal if you buy multiple chairs from them.

You also get the added bonus of supporting your local community.

 

2. Buy From The Amish

One of the best ways you can save money is to go to the actual source.

Several big businesses buy Amish-made furniture, then resell them at a higher price point.

You can cut out the middleman and save a lot of money.

Find your local Amish community.

They often have a furniture store somewhere within the community.

Besides finding other great pieces of wooden furniture, you’ll also find high-quality Adirondack chairs.

While they’ll still be a little expensive, they won’t be nearly as expensive as buying them from a marked-up retailer.

You also get the opportunity to meet some incredible people with a work ethic that matches.

 

3. Search For Used Chairs

Because Adirondack chairs last for a long time, they also outlive their purpose.

People move homes, downsize, or don’t spend as much time outdoors.

As a result, they no longer need their chairs.

Some will still price their secondhand chairs high, but most of them are eager to get rid of them and clear up space.

Spend some time going to garage sales, estate sales, or even checking out your local thrift store.

These locations sometimes hold gems like Adirondack chairs.

In particular, you’ll want to look for garage sales for homes that are on a lake or in the country.

They’re more likely to have Adirondack chairs at these locations since homeowners like to spend time near the water or around a fire pit.

 

4. Buy Plastic Chairs

While lumber is the go-to material for Adirondack chairs, other materials are also sometimes used in their construction.

One of the cheapest materials is plastic.

The advantage of plastic Adirondack chairs is that they last longer than even wooden ones.

That’s because, with enough time, wooden Adirondack chairs will start to erode and decay.

Plastic won’t.

The downside of using plastic Adirondack chairs is that they’re not as durable as wooden ones.

They can’t support as much weight.

Plastic Adirondack chairs also come in a variety of colors.

If you want to liven up your pool area or add some color to your yard, then a plastic Adirondack chair may be able to help you.

Since they’re cheaper to produce, they also cost a lot less.

They also need little maintenance to keep them looking good.

If you want a budget Adirondack chair, then plastic is the way to go.

 

5. Sales

You can never go wrong looking for sales.

Adirondack chairs are at their most expensive during the summer months.

That’s because manufacturers know this is the time of the year when people are going to be outdoors.

They want Adirondack chairs as part of their time outdoors.

The best time to buy them is in the fall season.

This is when manufacturers have to empty their inventory as much as possible to make room for new inventory for the next season.

You may be able to find a few holiday sales, too, but you’ll want to primarily check stores in the fall.

 

6. Learn To Make Your Own

Building furniture isn’t too difficult if you have the plans.

The plans give a detailed guide on how to make the various parts and put them together.

You can make the chair out of your preferred materials.

While treated wood or naturally resistant types of wood are the best choices, you can also use plastic, plastic wood, or recycled wood.

Building your own Adirondack chairs saves you money because you’re cutting out labor costs.

It only costs you time and materials instead.

If you can buy lumber when it’s cheap, then building your own Adirondack chairs is also cheap.

It even gives you the chance to customize the chair the way you want.

That can be as simple as painting or staining a certain color, or as complex as cutting the boards into a certain shape for the back of the chair.

You can learn a lot through the process, and it will save you a lot more money than buying one that someone else made.

 

Does It Cost A Lot To Maintain Adirondack Chairs?

 

Maintaining your Adirondack chairs isn’t too expensive.

At most, you need to invest in a power washer or a good brush and wood cleaner.

You should clean your chair every year if not every few months.

You’ll also want to retouch its paint or stain once every few years.

If you live in a climate with a lot of rain or humidity, then you may need to retouch it more frequently.

It’s also important to know if the chair uses treated wood.

If so, then you’ll want to add water-resistant spray and parasite-repellent to your list.

Spray the chair once a year with both of these to keep the treated wood healthy.

 

Conclusion

 

Adirondack chairs are expensive because they’re unique and comfortable outdoor chairs.

Many people consider them part of the outdoor luxury aesthetic.

Some are expensive because they’re customized.

Maintenance costs aren’t too expensive, but if you want to keep them looking brand new, then it may require a bit of work once every year.

You can make buying Adirondack chairs cheaper by following the tips above or learning to make your own.