Buying Guide · Loungers
How to Choose a Teak Chaise Lounge
For Your Pool or Patio
Sunloungers, deck chairs, sling vs. cushion, and the sizing details that decide whether a lounger gets used every day or ignored all summer.
A teak chaise lounge lives in the hardest spot on the property: full sun, splashed water, and bare feet. Here is how to choose one that handles all three for decades, not seasons.
What this guide covers
- Why teak is the poolside material
- Sunlounger, deck chair, or chat chair: which one you actually need
- Sizing, recline, and the features that matter
- Sling vs. cushion seating
- Planning the pool deck layout
- Frequently asked questions
Why Teak Belongs Beside the Pool
Poolside furniture takes more abuse than any other outdoor furniture. Constant sun, wet towels, dripping swimsuits, and splash from treated water eliminate most materials quickly. Teak's natural oil content is what lets it live in that environment uncovered. It handles water and sun better than almost any other furniture material, does not rust like steel frames, and does not turn brittle in UV the way resin does.
The same qualities covered in our teak outdoor furniture buyer's guide apply doubly here: Grade-A heartwood, kiln drying, and marine-grade stainless hardware are the difference between a lounger that lasts and one that loosens after two summers of daily repositioning.
Sunlounger, Deck Chair, or Chat Chair?
"Chaise lounge" covers several different pieces, and choosing the wrong one is the most common poolside mistake.
Three Ways to Lounge
The classic pool chaise: a long, flat profile with an adjustable back for everything from upright reading to flat sunbathing. The piece most people mean by "chaise lounge."
A reclined seat with a smaller footprint. Better for balconies, decks, and anywhere a full-length lounger will not fit.
A low, relaxed chair for sitting and talking rather than lying back. Pairs with side tables around a fire feature or pool edge.
Fig. 1 - Match the piece to how you actually spend time outside
If the goal is sunbathing and towel-drying by the water, choose a true sunlounger like the Montauk Sunlounger or Pearl Sunlounger. If the space is a narrow balcony or a small deck, a deck chair gives you the reclined posture without the 80-inch footprint. And if the spot is really for conversation, a pair of chat chairs will get far more use than loungers ever would. The full range is in our teak loungers and chaise lounges collection.
Sizing and Footprint: The Numbers That Matter
A full-size sunlounger is a large piece of furniture. The Montauk, for example, measures 29 inches wide by 82.5 inches long, with a 22-inch-wide seat that sits 13.75 inches off the deck. Before buying, mark that footprint out on the deck with painter's tape, then confirm you can still walk around it.
The Two-Lounger Rule
Loungers are almost always used in pairs. Plan for two side by side with a side table between them, and leave a walking path behind or beside the pair so nobody has to step over feet. If the deck cannot fit two full sunloungers with breathing room, consider deck chairs instead of shrinking the walkway.
Recline, Wheels, and Weight Rating
Three features separate a lounger you adjust all afternoon from one you fight with:
- Multi-position back. Look for several distinct recline positions rather than two. The Montauk's back adjusts through five positions, from upright to fully reclined at 41.75 inches high down to 13.75 inches flat.
- Rear wheels. Loungers get moved constantly, chasing sun and shade. Rear wheels let you reposition without lifting, which also protects the joinery over time.
- Honest weight capacity. A well-built teak sunlounger should publish its rating. The Montauk is rated to 300 pounds.
Sling vs. Cushion
Poolside seating comes down to two approaches. Woven sling, like the weather-resistant polyester used on the Montauk and Pearl, dries in minutes, shrugs off wet swimsuits, and needs nothing more than an occasional rinse. Cushioned loungers such as the Delano Sunlounger trade a little of that convenience for deeper comfort, using solution-dyed Sunbrella fabrics made for permanent outdoor use.
A practical rule: sling for the pool edge where everything gets wet, cushion for the covered patio or the lounging area a few steps back from the water. For two people sharing one piece, the Delano Double Sunlounger replaces a pair of singles.
Finishing the Lounge Area
A lounger without a surface next to it means drinks on the deck and phones in the sun. Plan one teak side table per pair of loungers at minimum. If the lounging area doubles as a conversation space, mixing in seating from the deep seating collection keeps guests who do not want to fully recline comfortable too.
Weathering and Care
Left untreated, a teak lounger weathers from golden brown to silver-gray over 6 to 24 months. That patina is cosmetic and many pool decks look better for it. If you prefer the golden tone, an annual clean and seal maintains it; our teak cleaner vs. teak sealer guide covers the routine, and the full schedule lives on our care and maintenance page. Rinse sling seating with fresh water occasionally, especially where treated pool water splashes regularly.
Built for the Pool Deck
Grade-A plantation teak, weather-resistant sling and Sunbrella options, marine-grade stainless hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chaise lounge and a sunlounger?
In outdoor furniture the terms are used interchangeably. Both describe a long, reclining chair you can lie flat on. A deck chair is the smaller cousin: a reclined seat without the full-length leg rest, suited to balconies and compact decks.
Are teak chaise lounges okay next to a chlorinated pool?
Yes. Teak's natural oils make it highly resistant to water, and splash from treated pool water will not harm the wood. An occasional fresh-water rinse of the frame and sling keeps residue from building up on the surface.
Do teak loungers need cushions?
No. Sling-seated teak loungers are comfortable and dry within minutes of getting wet, which is why sling dominates at hotel and resort pools. Cushioned loungers add plusher comfort and make more sense on covered patios or lounging areas set back from the water.
How much space do I need for a pool lounger?
Plan on roughly 30 inches of width and about 7 feet of length per lounger, using the Montauk's 29 by 82.5 inch footprint as a reference, plus room for a side table between a pair and a clear walking path around them.
Can a teak sunlounger stay outside all year?
Yes. Grade-A teak does not need to be covered or stored seasonally. The wood will weather to silver-gray over time, which is cosmetic; an annual clean, and a seal if you want to keep the golden color, is all the upkeep required.
