Whether you want to make or buy a piece of furniture, the first thing you think of is the material of the furniture, such as solid wood, bamboo, rattan, textile or metal. In fact, each material has its advantages and disadvantages, so I won’t do too much analysis here! Let’s focus on outdoor furniture.
For now, “outdoor furniture” is still an unpopular and niche industry. Although it is more popular in European and American countries, the domestic market is still tepid.
The main consumer group of outdoor furniture in China is still in the high-end market. After all, ordinary people want 996. How can they have time to enjoy outdoor life? Not to mention using furniture outdoors, even the indoor furniture has already emptied the wallet, “outdoor furniture” should wait until we get rich together!
There are only a few materials suitable for making outdoor furniture, such as wood, metal, leather, glass, plastic, etc.! This issue mainly talks about wood.
teak outdoor chair
The reason teak is popular for outdoor furniture is its extreme durability and good looks. But it is a pity that due to the large demand, teak raw materials have dropped sharply, and high-quality raw materials are hard to find.
Teak has sufficient waterproof, mildew, sunscreen, and strong corrosion resistance to a variety of chemicals. It is also rich in natural oils that can repel insects.
Teak is often used in beach furniture because it is resistant to corrosion and will not warp and crack after prolonged exposure to harsh weather.
Teak features
· Appearance: golden yellow to dark brown
· Durability: highly durable
· Hardness: 2,330 (Young’s hardness)
· Density: 650-980
· Machinability: Moderate ease of machinability
· Cost: One of the most expensive woods
cedar fence
Cedar is a durable, rot-resistant, lightweight wood. It also won’t crack when exposed to moisture and doesn’t require much maintenance if left alone.
The resin secreted by cedar helps resist moth and rot. Because cedar is less dense and lighter, it is perfect for outdoor furniture that needs to be moved around a lot. In addition, it has excellent stainability, so it can be matched with the color of other furniture in the home. Of course, cedar ages and tends to take on a silvery gray hue over time. This is a matter of opinion! As a cork, cedar dents and scratches easily. However, it will not swell and deform due to excess moisture.
Characteristics of cedar
Appearance: Reddish brown to pale, off-white
· Durability: Durable by itself, but lasts longer if painted.
· Hardness: 580-1,006 (Young’s hardness)
· Density: 380
· Machinability: cork, easy to process
Cost: Expensive, extremely expensive
mahogany
Mahogany is native to Indonesia and has always been an expensive wood. It comes in a variety of colors and is extremely durable for outdoor use. However, like a beautiful woman, it needs constant maintenance.
It is the most popular of the hardwood tropical trees. Mahogany is unique in that it darkens over time.
Because mahogany grows faster (7 to 15 years) than many other types of wood, it is more readily available. Mahogany is well used in the woodworking world for furniture and various handicrafts. It is a viable alternative to teak.
Other varieties of mahogany include:
· African Kaya Mahogany
· Brazilian Tiger Mahogany
· Sapele Mahogany
· Lawan Mahogany
· Shankaliva Mahogany
Cabreva Mahogany from Santos
Characteristics of Mahogany
Appearance: reddish brown to blood red
Durability: very durable
· Hardness: 800-3,840 (Young’s hardness)
· Density: 497-849
Machinability: easy to cut, but requires proper surface preparation
· Cost: the price is above average
eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is the fastest-growing tree species in the world. During the peak growing season, it can grow 3 centimeters in a day, 1 meter in a month, and 10 meters in a year. Because of its fast growth rate, it costs less than other hardwoods. But eucalyptus furniture needs regular maintenance to ensure that it is waterproof and moth-proof and anti-rot. Eucalyptus wood requires special care when working to avoid warping and splitting.
Eucalyptus can even last as long as teak for a fraction of the price if a sealant is used to protect the furniture.
And eucalyptus is easy to process and use. The reddish brown to light cream wood color is very beautiful. Wood is also easy to polish and paint.
The original use of eucalyptus was to make charcoal, planks and paper. In recent years, however, it has been discovered to be an extremely versatile hardwood. As a result, people began to plant it widely, and some people think it is easy to pollute the environment, so we won’t discuss this!
After being polished and polished, eucalyptus looks like expensive wood such as cedar or mahogany. Therefore, some merchants will use eucalyptus to pretend to be high-end wood. Consumers should keep their eyes open when buying! In outdoor furniture, eucalyptus is ideal for fencing, shade structures, paneling and support beams.
Notable Features of Eucalyptus
Appearance: reddish brown to light cream
· Durability: Medium Durability
· Hardness: 4,000-5,000 (Young’s hardness)
Density: 600
· Machinability: easy to use
Cost: Less expensive than most standard hardwoods
oak table
This hardwood can also last for decades if treated well. It is often used to make wine barrels abroad, which shows how strong its waterproof performance is, but oak needs to be painted or oiled to enhance its durability.
Oak is great for use in humid climates. It is a low-porosity wood that is often used in the construction of boats. Oak absorbs oil well and is very durable. White oak has some distinct differences from red oak, so you will need to pay attention to details when purchasing.
The main difference between the two types of oak: White oak is less porous than red oak. It also has excellent strength and is easy to stain. This wood is easy to split. So you’ll want to drill a pilot hole to keep the wood from cracking when the screws are driven in.
white oak characteristics
· Appearance: light to medium brown
· Durability: High durability.
· Hardness: 1,360 (Young’s hardness)
· Density: 770
· Machinability: suitable for use with machines.
· Cost: Relatively cheap
Sala wooden table and chairs
Also known as holy and sal, this wood from Southeast Asia is harder and denser than teak. About 200 species of trees are covered under its genus.
This hardwood has a unique property: it hardens as it ages. Sala’s natural oil content resists moths and rot. It is also an inexpensive wood found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
Since Sala has similar properties to teak, it is also cheaper than teak. You just need to oil this wood regularly for added durability. It is perfect for outdoor use if you are willing to maintain it with regular oiling and painting.
salient features of sara
· Appearance: reddish brown to purple brown
· Durability: natural and durable
· Hardness: 1,780
· Density: 550-650
· Workability: Ease of use Cost: A less expensive wood.
Walnut wood floors
The wood is quite resistant to fading, and the natural oils produced by walnut wood help fight insects, fungus and rot. It is a very durable wood that can last up to 40 years. However, it can be particularly difficult to work into furniture, and due to its high density, you may find that the wood barely floats. But this property of wood helps improve water resistance. It’s just as durable as teak, just less expensive. This feature makes it a viable alternative to teak.
Salient features of walnut wood
· Appearance: yellow to reddish brown
Durability: Lasts up to 25 years if untreated, 50 to 75 years if treated
· Hardness: 3,510 (Young’s hardness)
· Density: 945
· Processability: Difficult to process
· Cost: One of the less expensive wood species
Post time: Jan-11-2023
