Best Wood for Outdoor Use
Certain woods stand out as more suitable for outdoor use primarily due to their inherent qualities that include natural oils, tight grain, and density. So, read on to find out more about which woods are best suited for your exterior wood project!
Choosing the right wood for outdoor projects is extremely important in ensuring longevity and durability against the elements. Wood that will be used outdoors must be able to withstand fluctuating temperatures, moisture, and direct exposure to sunlight. Selecting a type of wood that’s resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation can save on both time and resources in the long run, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and replacement.
Characteristics of the Best Timber for Outdoors
Outdoor wood must exhibit a high degree of durability, a pivotal characteristic that determines its lifespan when subjected to the rigours of external conditions. Durability is a significant quality encompassing resistance to weathering, including the wood's ability to repel damage from UV rays, rain, and varying temperatures. Also, timber for outdoor use should be effective at repelling insects such as termites and wood-boring beetles which can compromise the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal over time. Lastly, the propensity of wood to resist rot - the decay caused by fungi in damp conditions - is extremely important for outdoor applications. It's often the species with natural oils and a denser grain structure that offer the greatest resistance and therefore, become the materials of choice for exterior projects.
Types of Wood Suitable for Outdoor Use
Now that we know the qualities that we should be looking for in our exterior projects, let's take a look into some of the best woods that are suitable for outdoor use.
Hardwoods
Among the best choices for durable hardwoods are species such as teak, ipe, and mahogany. These woods are known for their exceptional natural durability and inherent resistance to decay.
Teak is one of the most sought-after woods for outdoor furniture and projects due to its high oil content and tight grain. These attributes render it exceptionally resilient against weathering and insect damage, allowing it to last for decades with minimal care - perfect for exterior furniture.
Ipe, also known as Brazilian Walnut, offers a similar level of durability and is known for its density and hardness. This makes it incredibly resilient to scratches and dents, adding to its suitability for high-traffic outdoor spaces such as decking.
Mahogany, with its rich colour and classic grain, is not only aesthetically pleasing but also naturally resistant to rot. Its durability is largely due to its oils, which protect it from the detrimental effects of moisture and deter pests.
Treated Softwoods
While hardwoods are naturally resilient, softwoods such as pine and cedar can also be excellent choices for outdoor projects once they’re properly treated to enhance their durability. Pressure-treated pine is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness and ready availability. The pressure-treating process involves placing the wood in a depressurised holding tank that removes the air and replaces it with a preservative solution. This solution deeply penetrates the wood's fibres, protecting it from rot, decay, and insect infestation.
Cedar, another softwood, boasts a natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insects. However, to boost its longevity for use in areas with severe weather conditions, a protective wood oil can be applied. These treatments help to maintain the wood's beauty and structural integrity by adding a layer of protection against UV rays and moisture.
Treated softwoods, while not as innately durable as some hardwoods, offer an excellent compromise between cost and longevity for outdoor projects. Their main advantage lies in their treatment process, which imbues the wood with a robust defence against decay, termite infestation, and fungal growth. This makes them a viable option for structures such as outdoor decking, furniture, and fencing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Wood
When selecting wood for outdoor projects, several factors must be taken into consideration to ensure the right fit for your needs and circumstances. Climate is crucial - woods that excel in dry conditions may not be the best choice in regions prone to high humidity or excessive rainfall. So, it's essential to choose a type that naturally thrives or is effectively treated to withstand your specific climate.
The intended use of the wood directly influences selection as well. Areas exposed to high foot traffic, like decking, require hardy woods that can handle wear and tear, such as ipe or treated softwoods. Conversely, decorative pieces that are less frequented might afford to use less durable, albeit more aesthetically pleasing, woods like mahogany.
Your budget also shouldn’t be overlooked. While hardwoods offer exceptional longevity, their cost can be prohibitive. Treated softwoods present a more budget-friendly choice but may incur additional maintenance costs over time. Balancing these factors will guide you to the most suitable wood type for your outdoor project, striking a perfect blend between longevity, functionality, and cost-efficiency.
Environmental Considerations
With growing environmental concerns, and our own ethical priorities at Rubio Monocoat, it’s important that we recommend sustainable wood choices in outdoor projects. The use of eco-friendly options not only supports responsible forestry but also minimises the carbon footprint and promotes the conservation of biodiversity. Sustainable choices include wood from sources that are verified by third-party certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
How DuroGrit Helps in Maintaining Your Outdoor Timber
While picking the right outdoor wood for your specific needs is important, maintaining its longevity is equally crucial. Exposure to changing weather conditions and constant use can cause deterioration over time if not properly cared for.
This is where our industry-changing DuroGrit comes in. Our latest innovation, DuroGrit, is an exterior oil featuring FibreGrit technology, offering a revolutionary method to enhance and safeguard your exterior wood surfaces. This advanced exterior oil is suitable for various outdoor wood applications such as decks, furniture, gates, fences, sheds, and garden houses. It’s an eco-friendly, wood-derived, water-soluble oil that both colours and shields all types of exterior wood effectively in a single application layer.
We're most proud of its unrivalled UV protection. As exterior wood is constantly being exposed to the Sun, it's prone to discolouration and the UV effects of sunlight. DuroGrit provides excellent defence against UV light degradation, reducing maintenance needs and saving you both time and money. And, as we mentioned - only 1 coat is necessary to reap the full benefits of DuroGrit!
So, as you can see - choosing the right wood for your outdoor projects is important in ensuring their longevity and functionality. But no exterior wood is complete without the protection of DuroGrit. Whether it's hardwood or softwood, make sure to give it the care it deserves with our industry-leading outdoor wood treatment.
