These Are The Best Types Of Wood For Your Outdoor Furniture

Wood is a popular material for patio and lawn furniture, given its innate strength, durability, aesthetic appeal, and ease of carving and maintenance. However, commissioning or buying the perfect outdoor furniture can be quite challenging when you have to choose the type of timber — hardwoods, softwoods, or engineered wood — that'll suit your budget, purpose, climate, outdoor surface, and style preferences. But don't worry. We have everything you need to know about the best types of wood for your outdoor furniture, making it easier for you to pick one among the lot.

For instance, if you're looking for a material that can withstand the test of time and stand tall in the face of natural adversities like sun, moisture, rain, and freezing winds without requiring constant care, teak is an ideal choice. However, if this tropical hardwood doesn't fit your budget, you can go with a softwood like cedar that's weather- and insect-resistant, isn't high-maintenance, and whose honey-brown shade will darken over time to a lovely reddish-brown hue. But your choices don't end here. You can choose from ipe, eucalyptus, mahogany, redwood, acacia, and oak.

As mentioned, teak is a solid option. Besides being durable and moisture-resistant, this tropical hardwood's ingrained oils will also repel insects and their advances, gracing you with furniture that'll age like fine wine, eventually turning its honey-gold hue to silvery-gray. But, given its price point, this material is seldom affordable. So, if you want a wood option that closely mimics teak, will make your outdoor furniture seem luxurious, and won't burn a hole in your pocket, pick this hardwood's distant cousin, iroko or 'African teak.'

However, if you're on the hunt for something trendy, eco-friendly, low-maintenance, and durable, choose ipe, a Brazilian rainforest hardwood. This dense timber boasts a lovely chocolate shade, is resistant to water, insects, and sun, and can weather differing climates without warping. Eucalyptus and acacia are some other great options. They're durable, beautiful, less expensive than teak, and water- and decay-proof if cared for adequately.

Bring home redwood furniture if you fancy the tallest trees in the world. Its reddish-brown color is a sight to behold since it ages well. Moreover, its natural oils help it resist insects and natural elements with panache. However, this softwood requires regular upkeep and tends to be a tad more expensive than other types of softwood. Black locust, mahogany, cypress, and oak are some other great options you can explore. Remember, whichever timber you choose, cleaning your outdoor furniture and caring for it to increase its lifespan is essential.