Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Backyard Furniture and Outdoor Fun

Wood patio sets are the ever-popular choice for outdoor furniture. Be it a dining table and chairs set or a traditional porch swing or glider, wood patio furniture provides a uniquely rustic beauty that no other material can match. Many quality woods are used in patio furniture construction. Here is a list of the commonest woods and the advantages they offer. 
Cedar
Cedar is probably the most popular wood used in rustic furniture, either indoor or outdoor. Cedar is a magnificent, aromatic wood that contains a natural resistance to rot, insects, and weather. Unfinished or natural cedar will change color as it weathers, from a red-brown to a lovely silver-gray.
Cypress
Cypress wood is known for its durability and natural resistance to insects and rotting. Cypress wood is also very resistant to warping. It is a close-grained wood most commonly used in outdoor furniture. Many people prefer the look of distressed cypress, though an application of white acrylic stain will give your cypress patio set a striking antique-like finish.
Brazilian hardwood
Brazilian cherry is a very beautiful and respected wood. Brazilian cherry, also known as Jatoba, is a dark red-brown wood that is naturally very oily and takes a finish very well. Brazilian cherry is a dense and strong wood often used in flooring, carpentry, and furniture construction.
Pine 
Pine is very resistant to weather-related decay and insect damage, and along with cedar is one of the most popular woods for outdoor rustic or patio furniture. Stained pine patio sets are often extremely beautiful. Pine is a naturally knotty wood, which gives it a unique texture many people find visually appealing. It is recommended that owners of outdoor pine patio furniture stain their pieces regularly for continued protection.
Teak 
Teak is an extremely durable wood that has been used in shipbuilding and construction for centuries. Teak is a fine-grained wood and one of the most resistant to weather, insects, mildew, and rot. Outdoor teak furniture can be left unfinished and still last for many years.