Wood is meant to be outdoors. Trees grow in the great outdoors, so it makes sense that furniture made from trees should be kept outdoors. It is no wonder that wood furniture, when treated and cared for properly, can last outdoors for years. So don’t be late and start taking care of your outdoor furniture by some of the ways provided below:

Types of wooden furniture to buy

As we all say, it’s better to start right then fight. The best and good way to protect your wood and make it last for years to come is to buy special kinds of wood which suits outdoor like your garden, swimming pool, etc. Treated wood is one such type due to its resistant to rotting from the key elements like water, moisture, etc. But one of the problems with treated wood is that it often comes green, giving you limited options and scarily can more easily distort than other types of wood.

Teak outdoor furniture is a popular and the best choice for outdoors. Teak wood is an extremely dense hardwood and is often praised for its durability. It also has natural oils that protect it from the elements, even when left untreated. Often grown in east Asian countries like Indonesia, Teak is very resistant to attacks by termites and other harmful insects because the high oil content makes it water repellent Other types of wood suited for outdoors are Oak furniture like Chinese oak is a dense hardwood and is a natural light wood. The tannic acid element in Chinese Oak wood makes it ideal for use in outdoor furniture because it is naturally resistant to attacks by fungi and insects. Whereas Red Cedar, especially Western Red Cedar is a very popular choice for outdoor furniture because of its beautiful color and finish. It is also naturally resistant to decay and insect damage when exposed to rain, sun, heat, or cold all year. When properly treated, Red Cedar furniture may last for decades in the harshest of environments.

Nowadays blends of wood and metal furniture’s the best suitable for outdoors. Wooden top made out of teak with cast iron or steel as support or base is the best combination for outdoors. Aluminum, UV treated frames with wooden tops. This hybrid outdoor furniture’s gives you a quality of wooden element and less maintenance required metallic touch.

Know what affects your furniture

Taking care of wood and wooden furniture especially outdoor furniture goes far beyond cleaning and dusting. Wood reacts to environmental changes, such as moisture, temperature, light, frequent usage, reactions of food spills, etc When it comes to weather and environmental conditions, obviously, the utmost importance is to maintain awareness of the weather patterns in your particular locale.

For sunny outdoors, sun can have extremely detrimental effects on wood and wood finishes. Ultraviolet rays can destroy a piece of beauty in a matter of a few weeks to months. These rays penetrate the molecular structure of the finishes, the color, and the wood itself. In this process, color will change rapidly. In this situation, It is best to keep wood away from direct sunlight in all cases. If this is unavoidable, use blinds, shades, or UV window protection to keep the sun from directly shining on your wood product. For a outdoor full of humidity and moisture can also have adverse effects on furniture. Wood, whether finished or not, absorbs whatever its surroundings have to offer. If the outdoor is most of the times wet or humid, then its better to use protective waterproof covers which easily blend with the furniture or best keep them under sheds or temporary artificial roofs. If outdoor furniture is kept in your garden, avoid standing wood legs directly on grass. The moisture from the ground may rot untreated wood over time. If your garden is such that you truly can’t avoid this, at least give wood legs some extra protection by standing table and chair legs in treatment of wood preservative several times so that as much solution as possible gets soaked into the wood. Also a dry outdoor will shrink wood and eventually cause it to split from lack of moisture. In this case, giving a good finishing which suits your furniture types before the dry weather starts is the best way to protect your outdoor furniture. Natural oil like teak oil furnishes keep your furniture wet from inside and makes it live in dry weather. Lastly the outdoor furniture should be situated in an area that will allow the look you want, but yet safe from the sun and extreme temperature variance. Also, avoid placing outdoor furniture directly in front of fireplaces or barbecue grills.

Some preventative Care and Maintenance

Lastly, before you start protecting your outdoor furniture, following list of tips and guidelines can help you further with your work;

Clean your outdoor furniture twice every season by simply wiping down with a cloth wrung from a soapy solution of mild washing-up liquid and dry very thoroughly afterwards. If your furniture is close to a pool or spa, use a hose pipe to wash them once a week, as chlorine is a risk to most wood. If possible, it is best in the long term, if you get into the good habit of wiping outdoor furniture with a dry cloth every time you go to use them. This gets off pollen or fine strands of grass that have found their way to your furniture and dried on rather than got blown away.

After you had a party in your garden or in the event of spills make sure to clean up all of the liquid, as opposed to just a quick wipe. Unless the sun is shining that day, never assume that it will take care of drying it thoroughly. If the wood takes all day to dry out, airborne pollen or other dirt may get a chance to form an invisible yet sticky film on your furniture surface. When varnishing or giving finishing to your outdoor furniture, try to avoid on top of screw fittings. The shrinking and swelling due to weathering as explained above will require the tightening of the screws is present any, and this could be a cause of worry if that area is gummed up with varnishing.

Hopefully, with a good investment of your time and personal touch, your outdoor garden and patio furniture will be with you, being part of your every family event till you gift them to your children.

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If you’re in the market for some new wood furniture, you might have wondered which wood is right for you. The best choice will depend on the atmosphere you want to create, your own aesthetic tastes, and your budget. Read on for a look at the most popular woods used to make wood furniture.

Pine

Pine wood is arguably the most popular wood for affordable furniture. People love it for its light color and natural texture. It’s also less expensive than many other woods. Pine is very versatile. It is used to make bookshelves, bed frames, baby furniture, dining room tables and chairs, and lots of other pieces designed for everyday use. Furniture designers like it because it’s a soft, pliable wood that’s easy to work with. Though pine doesn’t have the longevity that comes with harder woods, it is commonly used to add a rustic touch to any room. Pine can come with veneers, which are made from hard woods like walnut, or unfinished. The unfinished variety can be stained or left natural for a cozy, down-home look.

Oak

Oak is a very popular choice for furniture construction. Like pine, it is versatile and can be used to good effect in many decorating schemes. It comes in two basic types: red and white oak. The red can range in color from pale blonde to light reddish brown, while the white can range from blonde to light brown or even gray. Oak furniture is durable, making it a good choice for children’s rooms and other areas where it will see daily use. It is also quite affordable.

Walnut

Walnut is a hardwood that can be used on its own or fashioned into veneers for furniture made from softer woods. Its rich brown color makes it an instant classic. Walnut trees are famously easy to work with because they have a grain that runs straight throughout them. As an added bonus, walnut wood is easy to carve and polish, and holds a stain well. The lustrous finish that this wood holds makes it a great choice for furnishings that are built to last, such as formal dining furniture or family heirlooms. Its affordability makes it even more appealing to cost-conscious consumers.

Mahogany

As far as looks and price go, mahogany is at the very top of the wood furniture list. This gorgeous red wood has a hard surface and a medium grain. It is commonly used for high-quality, ornamental furniture. Its price puts some shoppers off, but the beauty of mahogany furniture can last a lifetime; in addition to being very attractive, mahogany is also very resilient and stands up well to the rigors of time and use. When cared for properly, mahogany furniture can survive to be passed down from generation to generation. Most higher-end mahogany furniture is made from South American mahogany. There is also an African variety.

Now that you’ve learned about the most popular choices in wood furniture, you’re all set to pick out new furnishings of your own. Choose a wood that fits your budget and style. Keep your wood furniture clean and polished, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come.