Replies

1. 
   oceanside | Jun 18, 2007 12:44am | #1

   Teak is far and away the best choice for unfinished outdoor furniture. I made a line of White Oak outdoor furniture, the first exposure to rain causes black spots that give the appearance that someone tossed a bottle of ink on the furniture . After a couple of seasons outdoors a silvery/gray patina develops along with a rough surface texture. I prefer to use Kahya (African Mahogany). It weathers gradually and the surface remains relatively smooth. Teak is too expensive.

1. 
   limetruk | Jun 18, 2007 12:51am | #2

   I have been thinking of spanish cedar as well as the mahogany. Have you had good luck with the mahogany. I have seen white oak outdoor furniture in the past and have thought it looked pretty good, but your comment definately scares me away from it a bit.

1. 
   oceanside | Jun 18, 2007 01:12am | #3

   Spanish cedar is in fact a type of Mahogany. I have used it with good results. It's a little softer and less dense than Kayha. It weathers okay. It costs a little less (in New York) currently.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 18, 2007 08:22am | #4

   Also, check with the lumber yards that supply deck builders in your area.

   There are any number of so-called exotics that would work for outdoor furniture -- ie Ipe, Brazilian cherry, cambarra, etc. Availability varies by yard and region of the country.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   ring | Jun 18, 2007 10:58am | #5

   Teak is lovely and comes with a corresponding pricetag. Western Red Cedar is excellent for outside use. Also Redwood. Then there's Ipe, which has become quite popular lately. Very heavy and unforgiving to work with, but makes durable decks etc.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

4. 
   Jfrostjr | Jun 18, 2007 05:58pm | #6

   I made a garden bench of Mahogany 10 years ago. Never been finished - or out of the Michigan weather - and it still looks and feels great.

   Frosty

5. 
   nboucher | Jun 18, 2007 07:40pm | #7

   Another vote for western red cedar here.

   I also second Kurt's point about those of us who have more questions than answers. I have learned so much from these forums by just shutting up and reading; I doubt I'd ever be able to reciprocate adequately. Thanks, all.

   Norman

6. 
   joinerswork | Jun 19, 2007 02:07am | #8

   lime,

   In addition to what others have suggested, Eastern red cedar, yellow locust, cypress.  Walnut is rot resistant, if sapwood is eliminated.

   Ray

7. 
   Jimma | Jun 20, 2007 01:01am | #9

   Depends on where you live -- in Central Florida, at least, you don't want to make anything that's going to be left outside from any of the conifers (like cedar). Cypress is a conifer, too, but has about the best chance of making it through a couple of seasons before rotting or being eaten by termites or carpenter ants. I speak from experience. As others have said, ipe is great for outdoor applications -- like decks -- but is a bitch to work with. Treated SYP works OK but has its own problems. There are some exotics that parallel teak, but also costly. Take yer pick.

1. 
   limetruk | Jun 20, 2007 04:05am | #10

   thanks everyone for all your suggestions. Jimma, this would be going to be outside at a friends in tampa. do you think spanish cedar or mahogany would have a problem in those conditions.

1. 
   Jimma | Jun 20, 2007 05:04pm | #11

   Treated lumber is the best for outdoor longevity, but it's also the ugliest. It also depends on whether the furniture is going to be directly on the ground or on a well-drained surface. No matter what wood you use, I would coat all of the end grain with epoxy to keep moisture from wicking. I do this on exterior doors, for example. As for which wood to use, I would definitely NOT use cedar or redwood regardless of what somebody tells you as these will rot or host certain insects in one or two seasons unless they will not be exposed to moisture. My preference would be ipe or cypress, but ipe takes a lot of skill to use and some applications are not suitable at all. Try a sample first to see what I mean and get ready to predrill a lot of holes and pick out plenty of splinters. Your design will govern the possibility of the use of ipe most likely. Cypress won't last nearly as long as ipe, but it's a better choice than most domestic species. If esthetics govern your choice, then I would go with mahogany (or one of its common substitutes) and use marine-type finish on it. There is no perfect material for a climate like Tampa where rain, heat and constant high humidty host fungus and worse. Subterranian termites will attack any untreated wood that rests on the ground for more than a few days. (I've had pine stakes eaten through in a month.) Anybody south of Georgia or North Carolina won't likely understand this. Good luck! Jim

1. 
   limetruk | Jun 20, 2007 07:14pm | #13

   ive done a ton of doors up here in atlanta and always used mahogany but its always been finished. thats why this favor for a friend has me unnerved a little bit. I always thought that spanish cedar was not really cedar. i know its not from the cedar family. have you still had problems with it. i think im gonna use mahogany or teak if i do anything.

1. 
   Jimma | Jun 20, 2007 07:58pm | #15

   I don't do much outdoor woodwork, but my house has lots of clear exterior cedar and I'm very familiar with maintaining it. I do have a large deck and other outdoor furniture made from treated SYP which is also my choice for most anything that's going to be exposed to the weather. As for Spanish cedar, my understanding is that it's related to mahogany and is not a true cedar. I'm sure you can get a recommendation from a lumber dealer on line or in Atlanta who knows about choices for exterior applications. I have a good friend who makes high-end exterior entry doors and he always uses true mahogany with epoxy finishes (artistdoors.com). You can't go wrong with teak, of course.

8. 
   Stoneaxe | Jun 20, 2007 06:39pm | #12

   Lyptus is a nice wood for outdoor furniture. Rot resistant, very dense, machines well. Priced about the same as mahogany (at least here in New England) I built this gate for my brothers place on Maui. http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa317/stoneaxe/frontgate2.jpg

    

   And this chair (lyptus frame, cedar seat and back) for my wife

   http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa317/stoneaxe/suechairsm.jpg

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/20/2007 11:40 am ET by Stoneaxe

1. 
   limetruk | Jun 20, 2007 07:17pm | #14

   how bad is the lyptus on your blades.

1. 
   Stoneaxe | Jun 20, 2007 08:01pm | #16

   I didn't notice any issues. Of course I'm justa hobbyist so it's not like I'm cutting truckloads.

1. 
   sykesville | Jun 21, 2007 10:13pm | #17

   I love the look and feel of Ipe. I built a multi-level deck out of it. It wore out several expensive carbide blades in the process, and I didn't know it at the time, but I've subsequently read that the dust is exceptionally hazardous to your health. Anyone that has cut it with a skill saw can tell you how bad the dust is. It'll can even burn some peoples nose and sweaty skin if you're not careful. So, if you go with it, be sure to wear the goggles, mask, long sleeves, and have dust good collection.jack

9. 
   Jimma | Jun 25, 2007 12:35am | #18

   Well, what did you come up with for your friend in Tampa?

10. 
    paxtonc | Jun 26, 2007 03:39am | #19

    Built the following bench out of Ipe left over from a stair project.

    View Image

    If I had to do it again, I'd craiglist the wood, and use something that isn't so hard to work with. It's just a major PITA, either to machine or, if you're a complete masochist, work with hand tools.