Wood patio furniture is made from a variety of woods which each have their distinctive styles, features and benefits. The most common types of wood used in outdoor furniture production are pine, cedar, mahogany, teak and exotic or tropical hardwoods. In general, wood furniture for outdoors is versatile, long-lasting and easy to care for. If you want to create a setting on your patio or deck which compliments and enhances the natural surroundings of your yard—then wood outdoor furniture suit you.
Each wood type has specific characteristics that may influence your selection. An important decision to make when choosing wood patio furniture is the type of finish you prefer. If your style preference is for rich, natural wood color, then mahogany or Western Red Cedar will appeal to you. If you prefer a lighter color in your outdoor furniture, then white pine or Eastern White cedar may be your choice.
A number of environmental concerns plague many wood outdoor furniture products. In particular, tropical lumber harvesting devastates rainforests and old growth deforestation threatens endangered species. Be sure to research your choice of outdoor furniture and ensure that is made by companies that practice environmentally-sound or 'eco-friendly' growing and harvesting practices.
