The Best Outdoor Wood Furniture
By Bailiegh Basham · June 16, 2022
Sustainable Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture helps provide more living space for your home on warmer days. Whether you have a porch, patio, fire pit or backyard to furnish, the right outdoor furniture will help you create an inviting outdoor space to entertain or relax.
But not all outdoor furniture is considered equal. And just because it’s wood doesn’t mean it can be stored outside. Your choice of materials can determine how beautiful your patio furniture remains for how long. In this guide, we’ll help you decide which outdoor furniture is best for your needs and whether wood is even the best choice.
Is All Wood Furniture Suitable as Outdoor Furniture?
It’s simply not. Similar to the wood used for decks, wood patio furniture needs proper protection and maintenance to last longer. Even though it’s a natural material, most wood furniture needs to be properly treated or finished in order to endure the heat, cold, rain, rot and pests that come with outdoor use.
Some hardwood types, like cedar and white oak, are naturally rot-resistant. But no wood type is entirely immune to all of the outdoor elements.
What Is Treated Wood?
Wood treatments are available to prolong the life of wood types that aren’t as resilient as other durable hardwoods. Common wood treatments for outdoor furniture are: pressure treatments (done professionally) or non-pressure surface treatments (can be applied at home).
Naturally rot-resistant woods are more expensive, so treated wood is a more cost-effective solution for patio furniture. But these may not last as long as furniture made from natural redwood or cedar.
And even with proper treatment, woods like maple and pine are better suited for indoor use.
Pros and Cons of 10 Woods Used in Outdoor Furniture
Acacia
- Pro: Naturally dense and scratch-resistant hardwood.
- Con: It can require daily upkeep to maintain the beauty and integrity of the wood, especially if you live in a dry climate.
Cedar
- Pro: A soft and lightweight wood that’s easy to build into any type of furniture, and naturally rot-resistant.
- Con: As a softwood, it can easily chip away and lose its structural integrity over years outdoors.
Cypress
- Pro: Common in Northeastern USA, it contains natural oils for weather resistance.
- Con: The wood boards can twist over time, and turn a gray color if not treated properly.
Douglas Fir
- Pro: It’s widely available and durable, with a natural resistance to rot and insects.
- Con: Lacks the beauty and distinct grain patterns of other wood types, can be considered dull.
Eucalyptus
- Pro: A beautiful red wood, it’s exceptionally durable in three-season rooms, and naturally resists moisture.
- Con: It won’t handle cold temperatures as well as other woods, and if outside it requires annual sealants to extend durability.
Ipe
- Pro: It’s known for being the densest wood in the world, making it very durable and long lasting.
- Con: As a dense wood, it’s very heavy and not easily moved.
Mahogany
- Pro: This rich, beautiful hardwood is fade and decay resistant.
- Con: It’s a rare wood species, so production is limited each year.
Redwood
- Pro: This lightweight, high quality and highly durable wood has a distinctly beautiful reddish hue.
- Con: As an endangered species only grown in California, its wood is hard to come by.
Teak
- Pro: One of the most durable hardwoods, it’s naturally weather resistant and doesn’t require much maintenance.
- Con: As a slow-growing tree, its wood isn’t always readily available.
White Oak
- Pro: A very versatile and resilient wood, its consistent availability makes it a go-to choice for outdoor furniture.
- Con: It needs to be maintained over time and kept in the shade, especially during summer months, as direct sunlight and heat can cause fading.
So, What’s the Best Wood for Outdoor Furniture?
The answer may surprise you, because the best material for outdoor patio furniture is not a wood at all. Here at Countryside we prefer to use recycled plastic lumber (also known as polywood or poly lumber,) for our outdoor furniture. Don’t worry, all our patio furniture is still made in the USA by our expert artisans, and with the tradition, style and charm of our wooden indoor furniture—but with so many more outdoor-focused benefits:
- Maintains the look and feel of real wood - You’ve probably sat at a poly lumber outdoor table and not even realized that it wasn’t “real wood” because of its remarkable likeness.
- Durable - Plastic lumber outdoor furniture can last for 50 years—that’s long enough for multiple generations of your family to enjoy it.
- Eco-friendly - Poly lumber is made from recycled milk jugs and detergent bottles. Learn more about the production process of poly lumber here.
- Low maintenance - There’s no need to consistently re-seal or refinish it like with treated outdoor wood furniture.
- Smooth to touch - No splinters means it’s completely kid friendly.
- Fade resistant - It’s made to withstand sun and salt exposure.
- Easy to clean - Simply use warm water and mild dish soap to clean off any dirt that accumulates. No special supplies are needed!
- Doesn’t heat in summer compared to cheap plastic - Everyone has had the unpleasant experience of leaning back on a plastic patio chair only to find it hot and sticky. This won’t be the case with poly lumber.
What Other Characteristics to Seek When Buying Outdoor Furniture
Buying the best outdoor wood or furniture materials is only half the battle. Consider these additional factors when assessing your options:
- How is the furniture constructed - The manufacturing process is just as important as the choice of outdoor furniture wood and textiles. Keep in mind that non-traditional lumber (like poly wood) can use advanced construction practices like dovetailed or mortise and tenon joints. If screws are exposed, make sure that they’re corrosion-resistant. Steer clear of cheap construction in which outdoor furniture is held together with glue, as such pieces will not hold up against the weather.
- The power of color - Matching furniture makes your outdoor space feel purposeful and cohesive rather than half-haphazardly thrown together. What’s more, your outdoor furniture’s choice of color can communicate entirely different themes. For example, a natural wood grain conveys robustness while a crisp white can feel modern and luxurious.
Poly wood coloring is made to withstand prolonged UV rays and heavy splashing of chlorine and salt water. The same can’t be said from all paints and finishes, so be selective when buying outdoor furniture or tackling a DIY project.
Popular Types of Outdoor Poly Lumber Furniture
As arguably the best wood alternative for outdoor furniture Poly lumber can be used in a variety of different ways, from patio tables to poolside lounging.
Amish outdoor rockers and gliders
Amish picnic tables, including octagon-shaped arrangements.
How to Order Poly Wood Wood Outdoor Furniture
Countryside Amish Furniture is your best online choice for made-to-order poly wood outdoor furniture. All you have to do is:
- Peruse our diverse furniture options. Keep in mind that many pieces are parts of greater sets; browse through the coordinated Amish-made outdoor furniture set to find the specific pieces that fit your patio or home’s exterior needs.
- Choose from the many, many poly wood colors available from Countryside Amish Furniture. Just keep in mind the name of the collection documented on your chosen furniture piece, as not all furniture is available in every color.
- Some outdoor furniture comes with your option of cushions and upholstery, like our porch swings. Keep in mind that this fabric is no ordinary fabric, as it is designed to withstand the rigors of the outdoors.
- If you have questions about customizing your outdoor furniture order, use our chat to connect with a member of the team who is ready to answer any questions you may have.
- Once you finalize your selection, our best-in-class Amish artisans will get hard to work crafting your outdoor furniture. Throughout the manufacturing and shipping process, our team will provide regular updates on when to expect the furniture to be delivered.
Bailiegh Basham is Lead Sales & Marketing Strategist at Countryside Amish Furniture. She's been a team member since 2014. Bailiegh is deeply passionate about furniture design and home decor.