What Timber is Suitable for an Outdoor Table?

Wood Types

• Hardwoods come from deciduous trees. Popular hardwood choices for a table are alder, oak, maple, chestnut, teak, jarrah, cherry and roble. Cedar wood, pine and redwood are favorites when building a table out of softwood.

Durability

• Outdoor furniture made from softwood will last up to 25 years. Cedar has an advantage in that it is naturally resistant to insects and weathering, even without a finish coat. The life expectancy of a hardwood table is from 25 to 50 years. Jarrah and teak are naturally resistant to rot and decay.

Maintenance

• Outdoor tables can often be left untreated. If exposed to high humidity the life expectancy increases with proper treatment of the wood. The type of wood and placement of the furniture will determine the type of finish recommended for the table.