How Long Does HDPE Furniture Last And Why?
Our HDPE Furniture
We believe in our product and stand behind its quality and durability with an exceptional 2-year warranty.
The superb strength and durability provide more than five years of beauty and enjoyment. We promise that the product will not rot, mold, or crack within ten years of residential and five years of commercial use.
Our HDPE furniture will be free from material defects and will not splinter, crack, chip, peel, rot, or suffer structural damage from insect infestation. The two key components that give our outdoor furniture the long-lasting characteristics are:
HDPE Frames
Our HDPE Frames are warranted to not break or crack for five (5) years of residential use.
HDPE is one of the toughest materials for outdoor furniture. When selecting materials for outdoor furniture, you have to ensure that it can withstand all the threats of the environment, starting with moisture.
Moisture
Precipitation is common, so exposure to moisture is unavoidable. Wood will often succumb to rot and warping. Mold uses wood as a source of nutrients, making it weak and brittle.
Uneven drying causes wood to warp, loosening the hardware fasteners. HDPE furniture is not absorbent and therefore resistant to mold, rot, and warping.
Metal Rust
Metal is prone to corrosion through oxidation. Over time, metal furniture starts to rust, creating an unsightly appearance. In addition, the rusted parts of the furniture are more prone to breaking as they turn brittle.
HDPE is a tough material that is not prone to corrosion. This material is not a metallic compound and therefore does not react with the air when wet.
Sun Exposure
Outdoor furniture will also have to resist sun exposure which has a bleaching effect. The heat from sun exposure also makes outdoor furniture expand and contract when cooling.
During these temperature changes, materials such as wood can crack due to uneven cooling. Metal outdoor furniture also retains heat after sun exposure making them dangerous to use.
HDPE frames easily resist the effects of sun exposure. The high-quality protective finish gives the frames the necessary protection against fading. This material is also resistant to cracking and heat retention due to sun exposure.
Insect Damage
Insect damage is another factor that affects the longevity of outdoor furniture. Insects such as termites will effortlessly bore into wooden outdoor furniture. They use wood for shelter and food sources.
This process weakens the wood because the insects damage its internal structure. HDPE frames are naturally resistant to insects. The toughness ensures that they cannot bore into the furniture or use it for nutrients.
Bad Weather
And finally, wind and hail easily break, bend, and even tip outdoor furniture. HDPE frames are quite heavy, making them resistant to harsh winds and hail. These frames will serve you for years before needing repairs or replacements.
Therefore, you can count on your production team to provide you with the best HDPE frames for outdoor furniture.
Hardware
Our hardware uses 304 stainless steel that has been salt spray tested. It is used in the production or assembly of HDPE furniture and is warranted to not rust or break for five (5) years of residential use.
Type 304 stainless steel is part of the stainless steel that contains high amounts of chromium and nickel. This steel has 18 to 20% chromium which improves the corrosion resistance and makes the hardware stronger.
Nickel blending of 8 to 10.5% increases the corrosion resistance of the hardware while making it easy to weld. It also improves the ductility and formability of the metal.
It is worth mentioning that we chose this steel for its corrosion resistance. While outdoor furniture is mostly HDPE, the hardware needs to be tough steel that can withstand the effects of weather, aging with the plastic parts instead of ahead of them.
304 stainless steel has high corrosion resistance, allowing the hardware to resist rust in different environments. Therefore, the hardware parts on the furniture will not rust when exposed to precipitation.
Why Does HDPE Furniture Last Long?
By nature, HDPE is a highly durable plastic that is weather-resistant and easy to clean — perfect for outdoor furniture. In addition to HDPE, Lumber includes UV-inhibited pigment systems to help maintain our lumber colors throughout the material, not just on the surface.
At the same time, we have carried out structural impact resistance and aging tests on the products through third-party testing institutions, proving that end consumers can use our products for more than ten years in the home and five years in the commercial area.
Why do we say that the expected service life of our HDPE furniture can reach more than ten years? We need to start with the raw materials.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a highly crystalline and dense plastic. It is often used in applications that require durable or elastic materials.
HDPE is a white granular product or powder; non-toxic, tasteless, crystallinity of 80%-90%, and softening point of 125~135℃. High-density polyethylene has good heat and cold resistance, adequate chemical stability, high rigidity and toughness, and good mechanical strength.
Environmental stress cracking resistance is also good, while hardness, tensile strength, and creep are significantly better than low-density polyethylene. HDPE’s wear resistance, electrical insulation, toughness, and cold resistance are ideal.
HDPE also has good chemical stability, but it is not without flaws. For starters, it has poor aging resistance and environmental cracking resistance compared to low-density polyethylene for starters. Furthermore, thermal oxidation will reduce its performance.
To counter this, we add the resin with antioxidants and ultraviolet absorbers to improve this deficiency. It helps HDPE components last longer.
Still, HDPE is also insoluble in any organic solvent at room temperature, plus resistant to acid and corrosion of alkalis and various salts. HDPE has a protective film with low water vapor and air permeability and low water absorption.
This is your furniture product worth investing in.
Our Manufacturing Process
We believe that our manufacturing process helps create high-quality HDPE furniture that lasts long. All our HDPE comes from recycled items, but it goes through an intense manufacturing process that ensures the best outcomes. A brief explanation of the process is as follows:
● Raw materials preparation.
We use plastic pellets that have undergone the necessary recycling process to create our furniture. The high-quality plastic pellets undergo an extrusion process that involves adding colorants, UV stabilizers, and foaming agents. These compounds give the poly lumber a tough and resistant structure resistant to external elements. This process sees the plastic pellets meted to facilitate even mixing of the agents.
● Plastic plates forming.
The molten mixture then goes through a die that gives it shape. The mix comes out as a single piece of a plastic plate that is long and stretches throughout the extrusion line. The board is unstable and will need molding.
● Molding.
The molding process sees the unbroken board going through a series of cooling tanks to transform it into a solid-state. During this process, we can mold unique shapes for various furniture parts.
● Polishing.
This stage gives the lumber a resistant finish that makes it attractive. This finish also acts as a protective film that guarantees years of use without succumbing to moisture and sun damage.
● Cutting plastic plates.
The plastic lumber then goes into an automated saw which cuts it into usable sizes. The boards make it easier to assemble the furniture.
● Hole drilling on plastic plates.
Once they reach the assembly line, the plastic plates are drilled to create holes for fastenings. These holes are also ideal for the incorporation of metallic hardware.
Product Inspection and Testing
Product inspection and testing really guarantee years of use from our HDPE furniture line. We inspect all our plastic plates for any defects and inconsistencies. This ensures that all the products you receive are free from flaws, high-quality, and guaranteed to last.
We also take our products through a series of tests that measure their durability and resistance to various factors. This process helps us to create high-quality products. Testing also highlights any shortcomings, allowing our experts to exercise their creative problem-solving skills. Rest assured that your products only improve with time because we are dedicated to evolving and producing better.
How to Make HDPE Furniture Last Longer
Pay attention to care guidelines
The quickest and easiest way to make HDPE furniture last longer is to pay attention to the care guidelines. All our HDPE furniture comes with detailed care guides. These guides are ideal because they keep the furniture looking new and therefore more attractive for selling.
When you get our shipment of HDPE furniture, read the instructions on how to care for them adequately. Ensure that you keep the guidelines for purchasing consumers after a sale. It goes to help the end consumer.
Care guidelines vary from company to company, but if you do not receive any instructions, go online and find basic care tips for HDPE furniture or poly lumber.
Clean the HDPE parts
If you want the furniture to last through multiple seasons before selling, then you need to keep up with cleaning the HDPE frames. Luckily, cleaning these parts is effortless and requires no unique cleaning products.
Mix regular dish soap and warm water in a bucket. Soak a clean cloth into the mixture and clean off the dirt from the surfaces of the frames. You can also use a soft-bristle brush to loosen dirt and debris that may have caked onto the surface, especially the legs.
For extra sanitizing powers, you can use ⅓ bleach with ⅔ water then wipe the mixture on the HDPE surfaces with a clean cloth. It adequately sanitizes the surface without harming the materials.
Clean the cushions
It is easy to neglect the cushions, especially if you don’t have them on display continually. However, dirt can gather on the fabric, stimulating mold growth. Therefore, you should stay on top of removing any foreign substances on the cushions.
Brush off any debris and loose dirt before it latches onto the fabric. Constantly dust the cushions to prevent caking and sticking. If something spills on the pillows, the material could stain, so clean it immediately using a mixture of ¼ cup mild soap and a gallon of warm water.
Ensure that the cushions dry thoroughly after moisture exposure. Flip them regularly if they are on display and cover them when they are not.
Care for metal components separately
Any metal components require special care as well. While our 304 stainless steel components are highly resistant to corrosion, you need to stay on top of maintenance, especially if your store is in high salt air environments.
Use mild dish soap and warm water to clean these parts, using a soft cloth. Ensure that you rinse thoroughly. If you notice any staining, use the same mixture and a soft bristle brush to clean these areas.
Avoid harsh treatments
Even if you have not cleaned the furniture in a while, you should avoid using harsh treatments as they could damage the protective film, triggering fading and other complications.
Therefore, we advise against using a power washer and abrasive cleaners such as steel wool. Unless you find it in the care guidelines, avoid using oils and stains on the furniture.
Keep away from flames
And finally, avoid putting the furniture on display near open flames and sources of high heat. While our poly lumber furniture is resistant, consistent exposure will damage the lumber, causing it to fade and wear faster.
Find the best spots for displaying the furniture to keep them looking better for longer.
Final Thought
Our choice of the material, manufacturing process and inspection activities make our HDPE furniture last five (5) or more years.
As a retailer, you can guarantee your clients this, especially if you keep up with the necessary maintenance activities. HDPE furniture is a worthy investment thanks to its promise of longevity.
