[Editor's Note: While we no longer carry Tru180 here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we now offer shoppers premium outdoor furniture from SoPoly. Much like Tru180, SoPoly specializes in durable high quality patio furniture made with HDPE / poly lumber. SoPoly also offers our customers the same custom order experience with a variety of colors, all while being local to our stores here in Georgia.]
When shoppers walk through the outdoor furniture area in our showroom, it can be a bit overwhelming. However, despite our many options, one of these options is not like the others - Tru180. But what's so unique about Tru180 outdoor furniture and what do they offer consumers as a patio furniture manufacturer?
Perhaps more importantly, should you be considering a Tru180 Adirondack chair, glider, swing, table or other patio furniture for your home? Is Tru180 outdoor furniture a good fit for your patio, porch, deck, or other outdoor space? What are the pros and cons? Read our review of Tru180 below to find out!
Who or What is Tru180?
Frustrated with spending most of their days cooped up inside, the founders of Tru180 decided to start a revolution. To make a 180-degree turn and fight the modern tendencies that limit us to only our desks, our devices, and our beds. To reconnect with the great outdoors and encourage folks to get back outside. Or as the kids these days say, to “go touch grass”.
Tru180 set out to change the way people interact with their porches, patios and pool-sides by innovating a better kind of outdoor furniture. Their key ingredient and secret sauce is something called poly lumber. But more on that in a minute.
Using this state-of-the-art, recycled material, they’ve been able to craft beautiful outdoor furniture like Adirondack chairs, gliders, porch swings, rockers, tete-a-tetes, bar and counter-height patio tables and more. Tru180’s construction materials and methods allow them to offer consumers industry-leading durability and tons of customization options, all while being sustainably made in America at their workshop in Minnesota.
Okay, So What Is Poly Lumber / HDPE Lumber?
Poly lumber is an incredibly durable artificial lumber made from high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. Primarily made from recycled, single-use consumer plastics like milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent jugs and plastic soda bottles, poly lumber is also known as HDPE lumber, or by brand names such as POLYWOOD®.
These boards can then be used in the construction of all kinds of things. With outdoor and patio furniture, poly lumber is most often used to replicate the look of pieces typically made with real lumber, like Adirondack chairs. Did we mention that poly lumber is naturally resistant to fading, moisture, mold and mildew, cracking and splintering?
How Is Poly Lumber Made?
After being sorted and rigorously cleaned, recyclable HDPE plastics are shredded and/or made into pellets. Eventually, these scraps are melted down and formed into poly lumber boards. This is when the dye is added, which is important for several reasons.
First, this is how Tru180 is able to offer 20+ custom colors within their color palette – and that’s not even counting their many two-tone combinations. Second, similar to synthetic, solution-dyed performance fabrics, adding the dyes at this stage makes the color part of the plastic itself, not just a thin coat of color on the surface.
Poly Lumber vs Wood
That brings us to a question that’s very natural to ask. How does Tru180’s poly lumber stack up to the real thing? Don’t get us wrong, we love solid wood furniture. But on a porch, deck or patio where it’s exposed to the elements? Under these circumstances, Tru180’s poly lumber is superior in almost every way.
HDPE lumber is naturally color-fast which means the color is resistant to UV fading from the sun’s rays unlike painted or stained wood that fade or peel. Because the surface is non-porous, HDPE doesn’t absorb moisture and it doesn’t dry out in excessive sunlight. This makes poly lumber extremely low maintenance and resistant to cracking, splintering, mold, mildew, and other fungal and bacterial growth.
So, what does all this mean for you, the consumer? It means less time worrying about your outdoor furniture, and hopefully more time enjoying the outdoors! The superior durability of poly lumber is also why Tru180 confidently offers customers a 20-year warranty on all poly lumber along with a 5-year warranty for all hardware, swivels and bearing straps. This is unheard of with traditional wood furniture.
Lastly, unlike lumber that must be sourced and cut down, poly lumber is processed and recycled from waste products that are otherwise headed to the landfill. And we think that’s pretty neat.
Tru180 Outdoor Furniture Pros & Cons
With unmatched durability, an industry-best warranty, tons of color options, sustainable construction using recycled materials, and American craftmanship, Tru180 brings a lot to the table. While you can find some variety of wicker patio furniture just about anywhere, Tru180 is very much its own unique thing. But are there any drawbacks? There has to be one or two, right?
For all these pros that Tru180 offers consumers, there are a couple cons. The most significant is the higher price relative to patio furniture pieces made with standard lumber. As a result, Tru180 may not be perfect for those on the tightest of budgets. However, we encourage shoppers to look at a Tru180 patio set as an investment in their outdoor space since it should outlast just about anything else on the market.
Second, if you’re looking specifically with a wood grain aesthetic, Tru180 might not be your thing either. While some of Tru180’s premium color options have a wood-like finish, it will have a slightly different look and feel from real wood. We don’t think it’s a huge deal. However, for some shoppers, it might be – and we respect that.
Is Tru180 a Good Fit for Your Patio, Deck or Outdoor Living Space?
So, what do you think? Does a set of Tru180 Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, or table and chairs sound right for your outdoor living space? Or are you on the fence? Either way, swing by our outdoor furniture area at our Woodstock/Acworth showroom to see and feel Tru180 for yourself.
We hope you’ll visit and let us walk you through their extensive catalog to find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for Tru180 outdoor furniture or other Adirondack-style patio furniture, come see us today!
