The secret to durable, long-lasting outdoor wood furniture is choosing a wood that is well-suited to resist the elements.
Traditional woods like pine and oak are popular for indoor furniture but will only need replacing at the end of the harsh-weather season.
Woods like these are prone to rotting and insect infestation.
Well-known woods that are resistant to these types of decay are redwood, cypress and cedar.
These woods have chemical compounds that act as repellents to insects and bacteria.
White Oak, on the other hand, contains tyloses, an agent that excretes from the cells when the plant is under physical stress, thus covering the external plant and protecting it from insects and moisture.
These woods are ideal for outdoor furniture because they have natural defenses against the harsh and ever-changing conditions of the outdoors.
Other Weather-Resistant Woods Teak and Mahogany are very popular weather-resistant woods that have been over-harvested.
Therefore, the industry is turning to lesser-known woods with the same defensive properties.
Eucalyptus, Juniper, Balau and Kempa are beginning to replace the more familiar names, and as redwoods, cedars and mahoganies continue to rise in price, these woods will become the main-stays of the outdoor furniture economy.
Outdoor Furniture Tips: Maintenance Covering your wooden furniture, if you can, will help to protect it; otherwise, move it out of the sun while not in use.
Make sure to wash the furniture off regularly.
Mud and dirt can also help extend the life of your furniture.
Finally, to maintain furniture made from these weather-resistant woods, simply sand the piece about once a year.
If the furniture is coated with a primer or stain, simply sand it (also once a year) then re-coat it with a product suggested by the furniture manufacturer.