With summer upon us, more and more people are starting to spend time outdoors. After all, nothing says summer like sitting by the pool with a cold drink in your hand. Patios all over the world will be flooding with families grilling, playing in the water, and spending quality time with each other. Now is the time to upgrade your patio furniture, or if you are handy, build your patio furniture.
Patio furniture can come in a wide variety of different materials such as plastic, wood, and medal. While plastic and metal usually have longer lasting characteristics, nothing beats the look for great wood patio furniture. However, choosing the right type of wood is going to make all of the difference when it comes to longevity. No one wants to build or buy furniture that will only last a year, so make sure that what you are using is going to stand the test of time. Today, we are going to look at 5 durable types of wood to ensure your outdoor furniture benches grace your backyard for years to come.
Acacia
One of the most eco-friendly and durable choices of wood on our list is Acacia. Acacia trees are found in abundance all over the world and are even considered an invasive species in some areas. These trees carry a durable and dense hardwood construction that make them sustainable to the elements. These characteristics make Acacia both economical and dependable when using them to build outdoor furniture.
Acacia can be used for many different woodworking projects and is able to be used treated and untreated, depending on the situation. When using this wood to build outdoor furniture or other elegant pieces, sealing the wood will help to preserve and enhance Acacia’s golden brown color. If you are looking to build a bench that will come into contact with moist ground often, you can leave it unsealed as the constant moisture contact can cause the wood to discolor.
Cedar
As the most popular choice on this list, and most likely the most commonly known, Cedar is always a prime choice to use when building outdoor patio furniture. Cedar can be commonly found at just about any lumbar yard and is readily available at big box home improvement stores. Due to the availability of this lumber, it makes a solid choice for any type of outdoor usage.
While the availability is great, it does not always mean that the longevity is going to be great. Luckily with cedar, you get the best of both worlds. Being that it is a lightweight wood, Cedar is great for lightweight outdoor furniture benches. Patio furniture can be moved alot, so having something that is lightweight is key. Cedar also accepts a variety of stains so you can easily match it to just about any other furniture that you may have. It is highly recommended that you clean and seal it yearly to prevent it becoming rough.
Cypress
If you are looking for a wood that is a little more versatile and requires less maintenance, cypress may be the best choice for you. Cypress wood is unique as it actually contains a preservative naturally to keep it resistant to insects and rot. This makes it ideal for patio furniture as it can easily withstand the elements as is, without any type of finish. However, to keep Cypress looking new, a light coat of oil is recommended.
While it can be left unfinished, it will start to develop a gray look over time unless you stain and seal it. It is also a great wood to use as it will only shrink or swell a minimal amount when compared to other woods on this list.
One of the downfalls of using it for outdoor furniture is the scarcity of it. You may have a hard time finding Cypress at your local lumberyard, so make sure to do your research on where you can find it before deciding to go with it.
Redwood
While not the most economical choice due to the slow growth of the trees, redwood makes a solid choice for outdoor furniture benches due to its durability and great weathering characteristics. Redwood has many different desirable attributes that make it a highly sought after wood for benches.
Redwood’s characteristics include containing a natural preservative that makes it resistant to decay and insect, stability, and resistant to shrinkage and warpage. However it is relatively soft, making it susceptible to scratching and denting. In its natural state, left untreated, redwood can often stain clothes due to its natural tannins. This can be avoided by using a simple coat of sealer which also helps to enhance the beauty of its natural red color.
Redwood is regarded as one of the most beautiful naturally colored woods, making it a great choice for anyone looking to get a unique color for their outdoor patio bench.
Shorea
The last on our list is a wood by the name of Shorea. Shorea is actually a name that categorizes close to 200 species of trees. You may recognize some of the most popular species such as Philippine mahogany, Balau, Meranti, and Lauan.
The wood harvested from Shorea is going to have a dense, durable, and tight grained characteristic that makes this hardwood a great candidate for any furniture that is going to see the elements and will be used often. While its gold complexity is best displayed with a coat of oil applied periodically, the unfinished Shorea will fade to a gray over time.
Shorea is harvested from the asian rainforest, but it’s harvesting is becoming more regulated, making it a more sustainable wood that is becoming more widely available.
Conclusion
Now that we have looked at 5 different types of wood that will make for long lasting outdoor furniture benches, you can easily choose which you would like to use for your patio. The longer your patio furniture lasts, the more money you save on not having to purchase new furniture.
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