Adirondack Chairs

[matt819]

Okay, the time has come. I need Adirondack chairs. I don't merely want them. I need them.

Anyone here have advice? Cedar? Fir? Pine? Recycled plastic? (Latter's not really an option - too expensive.)

Any brands preferable? Websites to buy from? Quality?

You get the idea.

Advice welcome.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. I have a couple plastic ones. What I can't stand about them is how they provide shelter to spiders.

They crawl into the crevices and spin their little webs. Blecchh. I have to flip them over and run a broom over the backs of them before I can sit.

[marzipanni]

2. I don't think they are very comfortable

I like chairs that don't force you to sit in one position.
When you sit in an Adirondack chair your butt is down low and your knees are up and your back is pressed against the back.
When you want to get up you have to lean way forward to get your feet under you and push up with your arms.

If you really want them- see what others like and dislike about various models-
Read the reviews of these, put-together-yourself ones, and a few others on the internet- Someone mentions they tried sitting in a bunch- L.L. Bean's had flat backs-uncomfortable- these have curved-comfortable; some have more slanted seats very low at the back- less comfortable, etc.
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3557799

If you are putting them in the sun don't get a dark color or they'll be hot.

[7wo7rees]

3. Let Jerry build you some

I went for the big man style at some knockoff Amazon dealer, when I knew I should have gone custom with Mooneyham.
If they can make big man furniture, then you're sure to fit.

http://mooneyhambrothers.com/products.htm

[RedCloud]

4. BJ's had some margaritaville ones last I checked.

http://www.amazon.com/Margaritaville-Model-SA-623072F-Deluxe-Adirondack/dp/B004HKJZAK

They were under $200 and red, if I recall...

[TreasonousBastard]

5. It's insane to buy chair from a website. You want to...

sit in the thing before you take it home.

Around here there are a bunch of guys making them, more guys selling ones other guys made, and hardware stores selling them made god-knows- where.

If you're handy, you could make your own.

[matt819]

6. Thanks all

And in response to all of you - I know, I know.

I should sit in the chair.

I should buy local (and buy American).

I should buy quality.

I (probably) shouldn't buy from a website.

And, yes, I am making more of this than I should.

There's a high quality place about 5 miles from me, and I want to buy from them, but $298? I just can't do that. And a recycled one in a garden center nearby is $269. The quality doesn't look that great, and if I'm going to spend $269 I might as well spend a few dollars more for the high-quality wood chair at $298. One of the recs here looks fantastic, really nice - but back up in the $300 range. And the other link was to a product that looked a tad questionable (Indonesia, mixed hardwoods, ridiculously low price).

So I'm conflicted.

Who needs to sit outside anyway?

[trof]

7. My Winn-Dixie has them for $19.95.

Plastic, or whatever.
Too low for my old bod.
:-(

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Just when I reached the stage in life where I can have them

( Mr. dixie is a skilled wood worker)
I reached the age in life where getting out of them is more exercise than I need!

[Xithras]

9. I bought mine unfinished from a local hardware store.

They were pretty cheap because they were unfinished. I got them home, pulled the paint out, and let my kids go at them. They aren't the prettiest chairs in the world, but I won't replace them until they fall apart...to many little handprints in that paintjob :)