When choosing garden furniture, you’ll probably find yourself gravitating toward materials that echo the textures and colors of the natural world. While many home improvement centers display furnishings made of artificial materials such as plastic and imitation wood, nothing beats authentic wood furniture for adding unity of design and elegance to a garden.
When choosing a garden bench, patio storage bench, or other garden furniture, you’ll want to ensure that it is sufficiently durable to provide enjoyment for many seasons to come. Since each variety of wood possesses unique characteristics, here is a shorthand guide to help you find the type that fits both your sensibility and your budget.
Teak
For outdoor use, teak is tops. Its abundant oils repel water. Its tight grain lends it tremendous strength and makes it naturally resistant to decay. Teak is prone to neither shrinking nor swelling. And perhaps best of all, it’s easy to maintain. All that is required is a yearly application of – what else? – teak oil! Long guarantees are offered on teak furniture purchases because it will most likely last a lifetime. Although such high-quality furniture has a higher cost up front, when amortized over the lifetime of the piece, it is actually quite cost-effective.
Shorea
The poor man’s teak, shorea has many of the same attributes as its tropical hardwood cousin, except that the price tag is smaller. Like teak, it has a tight grain that allows it to hold up to wear and tear. It is resistant to burrowing insects and rot. It does not have the copious quantities of oil that teak has, and that’s the reason that when you need to maintain this wood, you do so with – you guessed it – teak oil.
Cypress
The cypress tree is slow-growing and therefore not as abundant as other varieties. Years of over-harvesting have left few trees large enough for use by the furniture industry. Here are the key attributes of cypress: it’s a durable wood that doesn’t shrink, warp, or swell. It is impervious to weather, making it ideal for outdoor use. A natural preservative in the wood makes it unpalatable to insects and resistant to decay. It will retain its beauty without any maintenance at all, a valuable attribute in today’s busy world.
Cedar
There are many kinds of cedar used in making furniture, but Red Cedar and Northern White Cedar are two of the most common. A “soft” hardwood, it is prone to dents and scratches. However, it is also much lighter than denser hardwoods, which makes it easy to carry from place to place. Cedar requires a sealant of some kind. Otherwise, it develops a rough texture, unpleasant to the touch. It is very receptive to stain and paint, without which it quickly turns gray.
Acacia
In a world increasingly concerned about sustainability, this fast-growing wood is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture. It’s a medium-density hardwood that looks attractive with either a clear-coat that helps it to retain its yellow hue, or a stain. It’s resistant to rot and doesn’t mind being left out in the rain, but it does have a major flaw: it is susceptible to attack by pests, such as termites. However, keeping it on the patio or deck may be all the protection it needs.
Choosing the right wood is a personal choice. How you intend on using it, how much maintenance it requires, and how much you want to spend will all be factors in determining the right type of wood for your outdoor furniture.
About the Author
Stan Horst is a former cabinet and furniture maker who enjoys working with different varieties of wood. He specializes in sourcing quality benches through his website, www.betterbenches.com.
