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What the Adirondack Chair Used to Look Like
Why do we say that recycled plastic is better from a durability AND maintenance perspective? It might be true that the plastic version will last a little longer sans maintenance, but once it's broken, that's it - to the landfill. As designers, we should be supportive of long-term furniture and things that are designed to be maintained. The wood versions you see of these have been stripped and repainted, replacement parts installed, over and over for 30+ years. The plastic ones turn to garbage in UV light (where these chairs are designed to live) in a few years. Also, though it is better to give this plastic a couple of years stop on it's way to the landfill, we should be more honest in calling these plastics as down-cycled, not recycled.
The fanning back of the 1938 version is evocative of a seashell.
If I really wanted one for myself...I'd probably attempt to build my own. Could be done relatively cheaper, save the higher cost of wood these days. Could be a fun project.