Wooden Patio Furniture

Wooden patio furniture is a very popular choice in outdoor furnishings.  It offers you a classic and stylish look, while being comfortable, firm and sturdy furniture.  The great thing about wood is it looks very natural in any outdoor setting, whether that is a patio or deck, or a garden or backyard.  Outdoor wood furniture gives you a great space outdoors to relax and enjoy warm weather.  Perfect for cozy dining in the sun, outdoor barbeques, and entertaining guests throughout a summer evening.

Styles of Wooden Patio Furniture

Wood patio furniture comes in a range of different styles and shapes, enough to suit a variety of tastes.  Both traditional and modern designs are available.  For a classic look you can go with a complete wooden set of furniture with smooth lines, or for a more modern look you can opt for a combination of wood and metal or glass.  Wooden outdoor furniture can also be painted to create your own individual color scheme.

When choosing your wooden patio furniture pieces have a look at the type of wood used.  There a quite a few different types of wood available, each having their own advantages or disadvantages.  To choose the right type of wood, try to find a type suited for your needs, climate, and weather conditions it will be exposed to, and is also in your price range.

Different woods used in outdoor wood furniture include teak, eucalyptus, cedar, banyan, yew, ebony, rosewood, redwood, mahogany, oak, pine and bamboo.  Some of these woods are exceptional durable and can be left outside and exposed to the elements.  Others must be treated with a weather resistant preservative to prevent water damage and decay.  Find out what type of wood your furniture is made of to ensure the correct maintenance of it.  Sometimes it is best to treat even the most durable of woods to maximize its longevity.

Teak Wood Patio Furniture

Teak wood patio furniture is desired by many.  It is very beautiful and durable, but it is also the most expensive.  Although Teak wood can cost up to thousands of dollars many believe it to be worth the investment, as it can last for many years and even decades.  This is true even when it is kept outdoors throughout harsh climates such as snow or rain.  Teak is a dense tropical hardwood which is easily worked.  The wood contains natural oils allowing it to withstand weather exposure.  These oils give the wood a strong resistance to decay, rot and wood boring insects.  Teak is resistant to chipping and weathering, and works well in many outdoor weather conditions, whether it be sun, rain or snow.  Well glazed teak is water resistant and prevents water from absorbing into the wood.

Newly purchased teak wood outdoor furniture has a natural light honey color.  To maintain this color throughout its lifetime you will need to apply a coating such as teak oil to the furniture once a year.  If left to age without treatment the furniture will lighten over time to a silvery gray color.  Although there are benefits to treating the wood, even untreated teak wood is durable.  Teak wood patio furniture needs little maintenance or cleaning, although cleaning it once a year can keep it in tip top shape.  After cleaning annually it is the perfect time to apply a coating of teak oil to maintain its color.

This very attractive wood costs a lot more than other woods, because it takes a long time for teak trees to grow.  Teak wooden patio furniture is in high demand, without enough of it available to reach that demand, increasing its cost even more.  Teak wood is unique and known by many as the best wood.  Many believe teak is worth its cost, with its benefits making it a very solid investment for furniture that will last the test of time.

Eucalyptus wood is another option for wooden outdoor furniture and is a popular and growing choice among homeowners.  Eucalyptus wood is a tropical hardwood and is similar to teak in its beauty as well as in its durability and resistance to rot, decay and insect infestation.  This type of wood is more available due to Eucalyptus tree fast growth, and is therefore a lot more affordable.  Cleaning it is similar to the maintenance of teak, with the application of teak oil once a year to maintain its color.

Cedar patio furniture is widely spread and common in classic or rustic wooden furniture.  This fragrant wood is both durable and affordable.  Cedar is a very strong wood which like Teak holds up very well against the elements.  This hard wood is naturally immune to decay and rot as well as cracking and splitting.  Treating the wood offers your furniture extra protection, but even left untreated and kept outdoors with constant exposure to the elements, it can last for many years.  If left untreated its color will fade to a silvery gray, just like it does with Teak wood.  One added benefit of Cedar wood patio furniture is its fragrance, which is a natural insect repellant.  This can be a handy tool in keeping the bugs away as you dine on your patio.

Maintaining Your Wooden Outdoor Furniture

One of the great things about wooden patio furniture is how nice it looks.  To keep it looking great and to give it a long lifespan it is important to perform proper maintenance.  How long your furniture lasts depends upon which type of wood it is made from, how much exposure it has to the elements, and whether it is properly cared for and treated.  You can save money in the long run by spending a little bit of time each year to maintain the furniture, giving the furniture many years of use.

The first thing to do is to check if your furniture has a sealant on it which makes it resistant to weather.  As exposure to weather causes wooden patio furniture to age, treating the wood with a protective coating will slow down the weathering process considerably and will maintain the wood’s color.  Well sealed wood is resistant to water as the sealant will protect it from water damage by stopping water from soaking into the wood, and allow it to simply roll off instead.  This also makes it less vulnerable to decay and rot.  An oil based water repellant protector is advised for rainy climates, and one with UV protection is advised for sun exposure.

Many wooden patio furniture pieces encourage treating the wood once a year to maintain its color and prevent cracking or splitting, but depending on the piece you might only need to retreat it every couple of years, but do spot treating annually.  When the season is over is the best time to do this.  Check for any rough or damaged areas and sand these down (you can use a fine sandpaper) before reapplying the sealant.  Check the edges as well and make sure the surface area is smooth.  Sanding prevents wood splinters and ensures a polished result.

Maintenance also includes cleaning.  Depending on the type of weather exposure your furniture endures, cleaning it once a year with a regular soap and pressure washer may be enough.

Extra Tips for Protecting Outdoor Wood Furniture

People often forget about the legs of wooden outdoor furniture, which is actually the most vulnerable.  Outdoor wood furniture kept in moist areas that collect water such as wet soil, grass or near a pool can damage the legs of the furniture.  You can protect the legs easily from this exposure, preventing water damage and the rotting of the legs, by covering the bottom of them with rubber soles.

Another thing to watch out for is exposure to chemicals.  It is important to clean up spills immediately to avoid staining.  Chlorine, solvents and even alcoholic drinks when spilt on wood can damage the wood and cause it to stain.  Very hot items, such as utensils from your grill as well as plants, and plastic can discolor the wood if left on for a long time.  It is advised to not leave plastic tablecloths or placemats on the wood for an extended period of time.

Storing Your Wooden Patio Furniture

Even when treated, wooden patio furniture can rot or decay if it is kept wet or damp for long periods of time.  It is a good idea to use waterproof furniture covers for your furniture to protect it from the elements, moisture and debris, when it is not in use.  During winter months it is advised to store wooden patio furniture in a dry indoor area like a shed.  Extreme weather conditions such as long periods of cold or wet weather can cause the wood to break, split and crack as well as cause water damage and decay.  If you do not have the space to store it, furniture covers are the next best option.

Wooden patio furniture is a good option in outdoor furniture because of how beautifully it blends into an outdoor environment.  Be sure to choose a durable wood and care for your furniture properly to ensure a long life.