How to Select the Optimal Wood for Outdoor Furniture: A Comparison of Four Prime Choices

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Which type of wood is optimal for outdoor furniture?

Teak is the most durable wood but also the most expensive wood for outdoor furniture. It has to be beautiful, long lasting, resistant to moisture and wearing, easy to maintain and so on. To choose the BEST wood for outdoor furniture, please pay attention to the quality of the wood, the following tips are helpful.

• Teak

A sweet golden tone seeping in like trickling honey with dark-brown streaks all over, Teak itself is a style of its own design. Teak is considered the best outdoor furniture wood type for  its exceptional strength and weather resistance, and it requires less upkeep than any other kind of wood, making it a far superior candidate for outdoor application. Furthermore, the oil naturally contained inside protects it from shrinking and expanding, or hazards like the environmental humidity commonly found in wood. The extreme durability and stability teak possesses makes it the outdoor furniture wood type  that’s ideal for use near water. Whether it's at beach resorts, or on yachts and cruise ships, teak (compared to other wood species) has the most stable performance for seaside and marine applications.

• Eucalyptus

The soft, wavy eucalyptus grain gives off the most indelible vibe, carrying a warm, natural reddish hue that does not easily fade out. Simply keep it oiled and the brand-new look will be everlasting. The durable nature of eucalyptus also imparts extra water-resistance property to wood for outdoor furniture. So no more worries about moisture damage! With proper care, eucalyptus wood for outdoor furniture provides as much comfort and pleasure as its exceptional durability, making it a big favorite among various outdoor furniture wood types and an even bigger bang for its buck.
Bask your patio in the natural warmth of that reddish hue as you enjoy your eucalyptus experience at an affordable price. Wood for outdoor furniture should be treated with sealant every year to ensure its resistance to outdoor elements.

• Acacia 

Acacia enjoy a huge range of colors with an attractively smooth grain.. It adds a nature’s touch to any room through its wide range of color variances... Acacia has a long lifespan and low chance of expansion or contraction.  Its resistance to fungi, insects, rot and humidity makes it weather-proof on any given day. Acacia is extremely flexible and elastic and requires little effort to clean and maintain. Paint (preferably opaque colors) is recommended for this wood to conceal its wide color variances and knotty appearance.  

• White oak ​

​​​​​​The color of white oak ranges from light to medium brown with an olive tinge. Among the various outdoor furniture wood types, this baby is tough and very commonly used in boatbuilding and railroad ties.

Oak takes staining well and is known as easier to stain than other outdoor furniture wood types. Staining easily penetrates through oak wood's large pore structure, giving it a nice finish. White oak is also a good candidate for steam-bending. 

White oak is resistant to wear, rot, and decay. Prices are moderate for domestic hardwood, and thicker planks and labor intensive quarter sawn can be slightly higher in price than other outdoor furniture wood types like Eucalyptus.

What characteristics distinguish high-quality wood for outdoor furniture?

• The high quality wood for outdoor furniture should contain fewer knots

Some of the easiest ways to tell the quality of wood used for outdoor patio furniture is to look for knots and parts that have deteriorated. You might want to avoid certain brands if you notice that the majority of their wood consists of knots, or if they do not bother to spend the time and work to cut off those inferior parts before making those wood into their end products. Knots, especially dead knots, can impact the strength of wood significantly; the surrounding areas of the knots can break easily and even result in injury to the user. This is why Sintai has committed to provide their customers affordable and durable wood patio furniture; to always hold themselves above the standard, Sintai would carefully source their wood from the beginning, and only use wood with less knots and higher quality before making them into the end products.

Wood for outdoor furniture is important, but don't forget to consider the size of your patio!

Sintai's wood outdoor furniture comes in a wide variety of styles and sizes! To create your personalized outdoor area, a few factors to consider will be the existing decor, size, and budget.. If you are not sure, you can start by placing the most basic outdoor furniture in proportion to the size of your patio to start to have a feel, and improvise later. 
Check out the following wood outdoor furniture types that we have to offer:      

• Small Sized wooden outdoor furniture Patio (7ft x 7ft = 49 sq. ft.):

A small patio is 7ft x 7ft = 49 sq. ft. in size. The bistro set includes a round patio table with two chairs, or you can choose a table with a single bench. There's also an option with the round coffee table and lounge chair set

• Mid-Sized  wooden outdoor furniturePatio (12ft x 14ft = 168 sq. ft.):

A medium patio is 12ft x 14ft = 168 sq. ft. in size. A coffee table with two lounge chairs, or a loveseat would fit perfectly. There's also a 5-piece outdoor dining set that is available with an umbrella in a patio of this size. 

>Know more about how to  choose a perfect wooden patio umbrella!

• Large Sized wooden outdoor furniture Patio (16ft x 18ft = 288 sq. ft.):

A large patio is 16ft x 18ft = 288 sq. ft. in size, having the capacity to cover a conversation set as well as a 6 to 8-person dining set inside a gazebo to make the whole patio of this size a great social destination.

>Know more about how to build a wooden outdoor gazebo!

Enhance your patio's aesthetic with wood outdoor furniture

It's now time for your patio makeover! After finding your wood outdoor furniture, here are some decor ideas to ensure your patio looks great.

1. Stick wood outdoor furniture to a Theme

Each piece of wood outdoor furniture  has a distinct style which fits to a certain theme. When it comes to decorating your patio, make sure you have a specific furniture style in mind and stick to it. It's important to stick to a theme; otherwise, your patio will be no more than a jumble of things. Say you want a modern look, then make sure both the furniture and patio take the same style.

2. Pair wood outdoor furniture with a parasol

A foldable parasol elevates your patio to new heights. Besides shade, it gives off cool vibes. New parasols or cushions are inexpensive to replace, and always add fresh looks to the patio. As we celebrate the arrival of warmer seasons, the foldable parasol is the thing to get! Your wood outdoor furniture will enjoy a fresh look throughout the year by adding new replacement parasols or cushions. 

3. Elevate coziness with wood outdoor furniture and a hammock 

Nothing says “chillax” better than a wooden hammock in nice weather. Read a book, nap, or simply gaze at the sky in a hammock. Hammock chairs relieve and reduce muscle pressure best in a perpendicular position, and hammock swings adjust and contour its shape to ergonomically support your body.

4. Choose wood outdoor furniture sets that include benches and tables

It takes ingenuity to make the most out of wood outdoor furniture. Aside from chairs and sofas, a bench can help decorate your outdoor space. Pair it with a wood patio table and start experimenting with different styles in your garden. It can double up as a planter stand, a stand for birds to nibble upon, or even be used to serve food and drinks during a gathering or small patio party! 

5. Accompany wood outdoor furniture with a selection of plants

Plants help keep the environment clean and improve the look of the patio. Create warmth and attract butterflies to the comfort of your patio with pots and tubs. Container gardening is a surefire way to add versatility to any garden, large and small, while making ladies and ladybugs happy. Plants also help produce a color scheme that will match your home, deck, or outdoor furniture.

Guide to maintaining wood outdoor furniture

To maintain the longevity and beauty of wood outdoor furniture, regular care is vital. Here are the steps to ensure your wood outdoor furniture remains in top condition:

Regular Cleaning: Gently clean your wood outdoor furniture using a soft cloth, mild soap, and water. Make sure it dries thoroughly to prevent water damage and mold formation.

Water Protection: As water is a major foe to wood outdoor furniture, ensure your furniture is shielded from direct rain. Consider using waterproof covers for your wood outdoor furniture during wet or snowy periods.

Re-staining or Painting: The paint or stain on wood outdoor furniture can diminish over time. Periodically reapplying can help guard the wood against external elements.

Use of Oils: Certain woods in wood outdoor furniture, like teak, can benefit from teak oil applications, which help maintain their hue and offer added defense.

Avoid Direct Sunlight: Constant sunlight can cause wood outdoor furniture to fade or dry. Ideally, place your wood outdoor furniture in shaded areas or use shading accessories.

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