Which Wood is Best Outdoor Furniture?

by Elena T. Manager

Homeowners who have extra space in their lots often decorate their outdoor space with pools or patios that actually add value to their real estate. However, upgrading your backyard to be decked with the latest pool and design means a lot of money that you may not have on hand.

If your area is particularly sunny during the majority of the year, one way to add some value and style to your home is to strategically place outdoor furniture in your garden. This furniture should somewhat fit the character of your home, or at least complement your backyard.

Most outdoor furniture would be made of wood while some are made of wrought iron. Wood, though, has a different kind of style that it brings to your backyard. Something that iron or any other material would not be able to match.  Not only is there a special oomph, but wood furniture, if treated correctly, can last for a long time and it's character only improves in time.

But did you know that character and style can be derived from kind of wood that was used to make the outdoor furniture?

·         Black Locust is one of the stiffest and strongest woods there is. It is also very durable and highly resistant to rot, while its finish can withstand any weather without harming the furniture.

·         Cypress wood secretes natural oil that makes it especially rot and water resistant, these oils even act as insect repellant which further prevents the appearance of rot. Cypress is a soft wood and it is often used for outdoor furniture because of its finish. It is lighter in color than most hardwood and its grain is aesthetically pleasing. Another advantage of cypress is that it ages wonderfully, slowly becoming silver-gray over time, if it is left unfinished.

·         Acacia is one of the more popular hardwoods because of its high oil content, as well as its resistant to rot and insects. One downside of acacia furniture is that it has a tendency to absorb water which makes setting acacia furniture higher than ground level.

·         Cedarwood is a soft and light wood that is very easy to carve and shape. Even uncoated, it is highly resistant to termite and rot and it requires minimal maintenance. One drawback with using cedar for outdoor furniture is that it does not hold a screw well and using nails and wood locks are recommended.

·         White Oak is one of the more desirable wood types for outdoor furniture as it stronger and hard than the other types of wood on this list. White oak is easy to work with and is very resistant to rot and insects. This type of wood requires frequent and consistent maintenance which can add a significant cost to your regular expenses.

·         Redwood is the most commonly used outdoor furniture material as it has natural moisture and insect resistance. It also holds finishes well and its cell structure contains a bit of pitch and resin which makes it's naturally beautiful.

·         Eucalyptus is a renewable resource as it is more commonly harvested in a sustainable farming set-up. Eucalyptus is usually kiln-dried which makes it durable and strong while maintaining a beautiful grain. This kind of wood requires minimal maintenance and is naturally resistant to rot and decay. It also has a high oil content which helps maintain a water and moisture resistant property.

·         Teak is currently the most popular material for use in making outdoor furniture. It is very durable and needs almost no maintenance. It has a high mineral content which makes it naturally resistant to rot and moisture. Its cell structure is dense which makes it resistant to warping or cracking.

Acacia, black locust and white oak are good materials for making outdoor furniture but it does have its drawbacks that would make you want to think of something better. White oak and cypress are slightly better due to their toughness and grain structure.

Redwood is seen as the material of choice for making the best outdoor furniture, however, redwood is very rare and it is short in supply. As alternatives, eucalyptus and teak is the next best thing when it comes to outdoor furniture, with their durable grain and rot-resistant finish.

When it comes to wooden outdoor furniture, the type of wood matters a lot as it would dictate how you would take care of your furniture. Maintaining your furniture regularly and consistently can bring out the beauty that it has within. Keep the surfaces clean and wipe away any moisture that you see. When wetter weather comes, simply put a rain cover over your furniture or keep it in storage in order to protect it from heavy rainfall and termites.

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Created on Feb 12th 2018 09:13. Viewed 396 times.

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