Wood Patio Dining Tables: The Different Wood Varieties

If you are looking at patio dining tables for your outdoor space, wood would definitely be a great choice. Not only is it durable and strong, it can also contribute to a homey and comfortable ambiance. However, the varieties of wood can be dizzying. Which would suit your environment and your needs? How should you care for it? Read on and educate yourself with the answers to these questions.

All wooden outdoor furniture can be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water. Here are the most common types of wood used in the construction of outdoor tables and outdoor furniture.

• Redwood is a durable hardwood grown in the west coast of North America and in China. It is straight-grained with a reddish color, and has a high resistance to rot and termites. When properly treated, it can last for over 25 years.
• Cedar is softwood from North America. It is light in color and naturally splinter-free. It resists mold, mildew, decay and insects, and weathers well. One example is the Round Folding Outdoor Dining Table by All Things Cedar. With proper care, it can last for 25 years.

• Teak just might be the most coveted of outdoor furniture woods. This honey brown hardwood is highly resistant to decay and rot and can last for more than 50 years, even when left outdoors year round. One example is the Bahama 117-inch Oval Extension Table w/ Double Extensions by Anderson Teak. Teak is now primarily harvested in Southeast Asia.

The high cost of teak has made other tropical hardwoods popular. This includes jarrah, shorea, roble and eucalyptus. All of these woods are durable, dense and stand up well to varying weather.

• Jarrah, with its pinking or reddish color, is harvested in Australia from government-managed forests to ensure reforestation.
• Shorea is grown in Malaysia and Indonesia, and is heavier and stronger than teak. But because of the large quantity available, it is usually priced cheaper. Both the jarrah and shorea can last up to 50 years.
• Golden and lightweight, roble is mainly harvested from dry tropical forests in South America. It can last for up to 25 years.
• Tropical eucalyptus is a native of Australia and is prized for its resistance to rot. It has a handsome look, like the Lakewood Table by Jordan Manufacturing Company, and can last up for decades.

Tropical hardwoods will weather into a silvery finish over time, unless treated twice a year with teak or other furniture oil.

• Affordable softwood, pine is harvested in various varieties from various parts of the world, although it is especially from American forests. Its yellow color with brown knows are great for staining. Pressure-stained pine can last for 20 years. It has a low rot resistance when untreated.
• Alder, cypress, willow and other trees with pliable branches are used for bent twig furniture. Willow is renewable because when it is cut, two or more shoots grow out of the stump of the cut piece. When properly harvested, it will continue to grow cutting after cutting.

If you intend to use twig furniture outdoors, spray or brush on a good quality clear exterior varnish and use the furniture only in a protected area.