What is the Best Wood for Outdoor Furniture?
When choosing outdoor furniture for your home, the right wood is important to ensure that it’s long-lasting, durable, and pretty to look at for years to come. Outdoor furniture is constantly exposed to the elements, so the type of wood you choose will impact its resilience, maintenance needs, and appearance over time.
With a wide variety of wood options available, you can always find one that matches the climate you live in, your aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle. Our team at Coverini in Temple City, California, has put together this guide to explain the best wood types for outdoor furniture for different uses, locations, climates, and preferences to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
Teak
Teak is often considered the gold standard for outdoor furniture. Known and loved for its durability, this hardwood contains oils that naturally repel water and prevent the wood from rotting or insect invasions. Teak’s weather-resistant properties mean it can withstand harsh weather conditions, so it’s ideal for just about any climate. Over time, teak develops an elegant silver patina, but occasional treatments can maintain its original honey-brown hue if you prefer. The combination of longevity and low maintenance makes teak a popular choice for outdoor furniture.
Cedar
Cedar is another popular option because of its natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insects. It’s incredibly lightweight, which makes cedar furniture easy to move and rearrange on your patio when needed. It also has a pleasant aroma, which many homeowners enjoy. Cedar’s softness can make it more susceptible to scratches and dents. However, its beautiful grain and rustic charm often outweigh this drawback. Regular maintenance, such as sealing every few years, will help cedar wood maintain its reddish-brown color and improve its weather resistance.
Redwood
Redwood is another excellent choice for outdoor furniture because it’s known for its rich red color and long-lasting durability. Its natural tannins protect it from moisture, rot, and pests, which makes it a solid choice if you live in a more humid climate. Redwood is also less likely to warp or shrink, which means your furniture is more likely to keep its original shape over time. While it’s a naturally softer wood than teak or ipe, it’s visually appealing and sustainable, which is what makes it so sought-after by eco-conscious buyers.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a more affordable alternative to teak but it still provides exceptional durability and water resistance. This hardwood is naturally resistant to rot and insects, and with loving care, it can last for many years. Eucalyptus tends to have a smooth, reddish-brown appearance, and like teak, it’ll develop a silver-gray patina if you don’t treat it. Regular oiling every three to four months can help preserve its color and improve its resistance to weather. This makes it a solid choice if you’re a budget-conscious homeowner looking for a stylish piece of outdoor furniture in Temple City.
Acacia
Acacia is a dense, durable hardwood that stands up well outdoors. Its beautiful grain patterns and warm tones make it an aesthetically appealing option for many homeowners. Acacia is also resistant to rot and pests, but it requires regular maintenance to prevent it from cracking or discoloring over time. Sealing and oiling the wood every year can help protect acacia from the elements. It’s affordable and sustainable so it’s a popular option if you’re looking for a balance between style and cost and you’re not afraid of a little maintenance.
Ipe
Ipe, also known as Brazilian walnut, is one of the hardest and most durable woods available for outdoor furniture. Its natural density protects it from moisture, rot, and insects and it can last well over 50 years if you take care of it. Ipe is also highly resistant to scratches, warping, and UV damage, so it’s an ideal choice if you’re looking for a long-term outdoor furniture option. While its dense nature makes it more difficult to work with and therefore more expensive, the wood’s longevity and low maintenance needs make it worth the investment.
Mahogany
Mahogany is loved for its rich, deep reddish-brown color and fine grain. It’s durable and resistant to water and decay, making mahogany a great choice for furniture that’ll be exposed to different weather conditions. It’s not as hard as ipe, but it holds up well in outdoor environments if you take care of it, and it won’t shrink or warp over time. Sealing mahogany every one or two years will help preserve its color and extend its life span, making it an elegant option for outdoor furniture in most locations and climates.
Which Is Best for You?
Each wood type offers its own pros and cons for outdoor furniture. Whether you’re looking for durability, affordability, or aesthetics, there’s a wood out there for you. Teak and ipe are naturally long-lasting and weather-resistant, while cedar and redwood are beautiful and sustainable. Mahogany adds a luxurious touch to your outdoor space with its stunning finish.
If you’re looking for affordable and good quality outdoor furniture, eucalyptus and acacia are two fantastic options. Keen to invest in high-quality covers that complement your outdoor space and protect your furniture from the test of time? Explore your options at Coverini today.