Outdoor Furniture Guide: Wood

Wood Characteristics:

• Substantial look and feel
• Can be left outdoors year-round
• Easy to clean with soap and water
• Looks natural in an outdoor environment
• May require routine maintenance
• Heavy weight keeps it stable
• Does not absorb heat, so it's always cool to the touch

Wood Dining Set Varieties:

Eucalyptus is a plantation-grown hardwood that is sustainably harvested. Its beautiful grain, rich color and smooth finish are as attractive as teak, however it's less expensive and easier to maintain. The wood is naturally dense, although not as strong as Balau. It has a high oil content so it weathers beautifully. Over time, the wood will turn to a soft gray, or it can be stained to maintain the rich honey-red tones.

Teak has become one of the most prized woods for outdoor furniture because it is naturally dense, durable and highly resistant to rot and decay. Once the preferred hardwood for shipbuilding and decking, teak is now primarily grown on plantations due to dwindling supplies. The high demand and short supply of this handsome, top-quality wood makes it one of the more expensive materials used for outdoor furniture. The reward for such an investment is furniture that will look good and stand strong through decades of continued outdoor use.