For a long time, wood has been used to create furniture because of its aesthetics, durability, and versatility.
Wooden furniture adds color and warmth to your space.
It enhances your landscape giving it the perfect feel to transition from your indoors to the outdoors.
While there are many different types of wood to make outdoor furniture today, we outline a few of the best ones.
Teak
Teak is a hardwood and the best choice for outdoor furniture. Teak is waterproof, durable, can withstand the elements, and is very beautiful.
Teak is also resistant to rot and insects and doesn’t attract dust; therefore can be left outside for long periods.
Consequently, it will save you a lot on maintenance.
However, teak is not cheap, but we daresay it’s worth its price tag—check out teak garden furniture UK for some amazing examples of garden furniture.
Cypress
Cypress is also another type of wood mainly used for outdoor furniture.
Cypress is great for the outdoors because it can withstand the elements in its natural form.
Cypress has a natural preservative that makes the wood insect and rot-resistant.
It’s a stable wood that will not shrink or swell throughout the different seasons; however, coating the wood with a bit of oil may help maintain it for even longer.
If left unfinished just like teak, cypress weathers to a silver-gray.
While it’s among the best for making outdoor furniture, it’s hard to find due to the scarcity of mature trees.
Cedar
Cedar is a softwood that’s known for its beauty, sweet aroma, and versatility. It’s rich in resins that make it insect and rot-resistant.
Cedar is lightweight, which means it’s best to use if you will be moving and rearranging your outdoor furniture often.
It’s also perfect for painting because the wood stains and paints well. You can color coordinate your outdoor and indoor furniture easily.
Ensure you clean and use a sealant if your furniture is made of cedar because the soft grain becomes rough with time if left untreated.
Same as teak and cypress, cedar weathers nicely to a silver-gray color if left in its natural state.
Remember, cedar is a softwood, so it scratches and dents easily than hardwoods like teak.
Surprisingly since cedar retains water than most woods, it is more resistant to cracking.
Ipe
Ipe is a smooth type of hardwood that is also perfect for making outdoor furniture. Ipe wood can withstand the elements.
It’s resistant to insects and rot. It’s native to South America, and it’s so dense it doesn’t float on water, meaning it’s water-resistant.
Ipe wood is the same as teak, but it’s more affordable. It can last for decades in its natural form but will last even longer if treated.
White Oak
White oak is best for people who live in wet regions. White oaks take penetrating oils well, meaning they can last for decades.
White oak is not the same as red oak so ask before buying to differentiate the two.
