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Outdoor Furniture Frames Materials

Wood's natural beauty has always been a popular raw material for furniture. It is generally easy to work with and provides a sturdy framework for tables, chairs, benches and other furnishings. However, not all woods are created equal when it comes to outdoor usage. Many softwoods, such as pressure-treated pine, cedar and fir are inexpensive and widely used for indoor furnishings, but do not stand up well to the elements and need constant protection when not in use. Hardwoods, on the other hand, are much heartier, resist weather damage and can last decades if treated properly. On the downside, they are often more difficult to shape and are typically more expensive than softwoods. But, there are major differences between hardwoods too.

Shorea This reddish-gold Southeast Asian material is one of the few hardwoods that is stronger and heavier than teak. Exposure to heat actually improves its strength (modus of rupture) and flexibility (modus of elasticity) [Noh & Ahmad 2017]. Harvesting shorea (a.k.a. meranti) is highly regulated to ensure that it is sustainable, like many of the other hardwoods used for outdoor furniture. It also has a high oil content that protects it against insects, minimizes rotting and resists weather damage. Like teak, shorea becomes a silver-gray patina if it is not oiled regularly and lasts up to fifty years. However, it has a much lower price. The only major drawback for shorea is that, due in part to public unfamiliarity, few retailers sell it. PROS – Strength, weather and insect resistant, Eco-friendly and cost-effective versus teak CONS – Limited commercial availability Teak Teak is easily the most popular wood choice for outdoor furniture. Its high demand, coupled with limited availability, has pushed the price of this fine-grained hardwood extremely high. Fortunately, teak has many characteristics that make it ideally suited for outdoor use. It is incredibly strong and doesn’t warp, crack or become brittle like many kinds of wood. This is because teak repels most water and does not expand or contract in the drying process. It has a high natural oil content, which makes it highly resistant to damage from rot, decay and insects. This durability against the elements enables teak to last the longest – up to fifty years! Its gorgeous honey brown appearance can be maintained with minimal oiling, or it can patina into an attractive silver-gray over time, if left untreated. Most patio furniture brands have at least a few pieces made from this handsome wood. Scandinavian manufacturers like Skagerak and Skargaarden embrace teak’s natural beauty and utilize its inherent strength to design artistic graceful collections of outdoor lounge and dining furniture. It’s relatively easy to care for and can be cleaned with mild soap and water. PROS – Durable, strong, resistant to weather, decay and insects, no cracking or warping and it’s easy to care for CONS – High price White Oak This abundant wood is stronger and harder than most and lasts for decades. It has long been used to build boats, due to its structural ability to repel water, which also helps it resist rot. However, it doesn’t possess much natural oil and needs paint or a sealant to retain its durability. Over time, untreated white oak develops an attractive gray patina. PROS – Water-proof, rot-resistant and strong CONS – Low oil content

Eucalyptus This strong Australian hardwood is fast-growing, lasts a long time and offers significant cost savings versus teak. Its natural washed appearance has a rustic appeal, which will develop into a silver patina unless oiled regularly. It is weather and rot resistant and its oil acts as a natural insecticide. But, a sealant is recommended to improve the resistance of eucalyptus to pests and minimize the negative impact of uneven moisture retention. PROS – Durable, insect and rot-resistant, Eco-friendly sustainable growth and cost-effective CONS – Susceptible to marine and pinhole borers and vulnerable to cracking if untreated with a sealant Ipe Central and South American ipe (a.k.a. ironwood), unlike many of its hardwood counterparts, has a deep rich colored grain which fades slower when exposed to weathering [Jankowska, Reder, Golofit 2017]. It has a high natural oil content, which helps it resist insects, decomposition and various forms of fungi. Its hard, dense structure fortifies it against physical damage such a denting, warping and cracking. Though it can last up to forty years, ipe requires much preparation when cut and glued together. PROS – Durable, strong and resistant to pests and fungi CONS – Difficult to work with Other Hardwoods There are a number of other hardwoods that share some of the positive qualities of teak at a much lower price point. However, they also have drawbacks relative to the hardwoods mentioned above. Reddish-brown acacia (a.k.a. locust) is readily available but is more likely to warp or crack than shorea or eucalyptus. Roble is scarce, lightweight and lasts half as long as teak, while African iroko is very hard to work with, easily splinters and blunts woodworking tools. Mahogany has a beautiful reddish tint, but is coarse, requires a lot of maintenance and doesn’t handle rot as well as teak.

source - decorinteriorsus.com

#outdoor furniture #hardwoods #pros and cons

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