Patio Furniture

Alder: It is one of the most common of the commercial Pacific Coast timbers. Alder is a fine grained hardwood similar to cherry or birch. This hardwood is prized for its durability and strength. Alder takes any paint or stain easily and also looks good in its natural state which is an attractive honey color. Alder also has no problems with sap, mineral streaks, dark colors or stains.

Brazilian Cherry: This plentiful hardwood is found in various regions throughout South America. It is used in decking, playground equipment, railroad ties and other applications due to its density and superior weather resistant qualities. Brazilian Cherry’s natural finish is a deep red color that comes out after initial use in the sun. Over time, usually 9-12 months, the color will turn to a silvery gray patina. As a dense hardwood, Brazilian Cherry should last up to 25 years in the outdoor elements.

Cedar: Northern White Cedar is used in indoor and outdoor furniture because of its enduring strength. Cedar wood is naturally resistant to insect damage, decay and weather damage which makes it ideal for outdoor furniture. Cedar has a very high strength to weight ratio which means it is durable as well as easy to move about. Its fresh odor is also a mild insect repellent. Cedar’s natural color is creamy white, pale tan or light gold. After a year in the elements it will develop a weathered, silvery gray patina. With limited maintenance you can expect your Cedar furniture to last 25-30 years.

Cypress: This durable wood resists decay, splitting and checking. It is a beautiful and distinctive yellowish-red color that is sometimes referred to as salmon. While Cypress is beautiful in its natural state, it is a good wood to paint because of its high paint retention rate. In most cases unpainted Cypress furniture will last well over 30 years.

Mahogany: A deep rich red color with a minor amount of fine brown lines, Mahogany is an extremely hard, tight grained wood. It is naturally resistant to shrinking, splintering, and checking making it perfect for outdoor furniture. If left to weather in the elements, Mahogany will turn a soft silvery gray patina. Left to age, Mahogany will last around 25 years outdoors.

Pine: Though you may imagine Pine as one of the softer woods around, it actually becomes a suitable outdoor furniture alternative when pressure treated. If you worry about the environmental impact of buying the more exotic types of wood, think about buying furniture built from plantation grown Pine. Pine can easily be stained to any desired shade, but can also be left alone to turn a dark color over time. The elements will mature the furniture; however, the wood will stay structurally sound for 20 years or more.

Shorea: This is a tropical hardwood which grows throughout the Pacific Rim. It is closely related to teak and is used in many similar applications. The abundance of Shorea has made it a less expensive choice over teak. This wood is dense and highly resistant to rot and bug infestation. If left to weather naturally, Shorea will turn a silvery gray patina in about a year. During wet weather you may notice some surfaces become rough, but over a period of about a year the natural weathering process will stabilize the wood. You can expect Shorea furniture to last 30 years or more.

Checking: It is a natural occurrence for almost all types of outdoor furniture to experience some sort of checking throughout its life. Checking is another name for the small cracks you will see in the arms, around screws or bolts, and on other surfaces of your furniture. These cracks will stabilize over time and do not harm the integrity of the furniture in any way. In fact, they add to the individuality and rustic look of each piece.

Cleaning and Refinishing:To keep the Brazilian Cherry and Shorea woods their natural colors, apply linseed or teak oil every 1-3 months. After your furniture has turned gray there are two ways to bring back the original color. The first is to purchase a teak cleaner and the second is to use fine grit sandpaper thoroughly over the entire surface.