If you’re a wood worker who is trying to decide the best woods for outdoor woodworking projects, then you’ve come to the right place. There are far fewer woods that can be used for outdoor use than there are woods for indoor use. This affects things such as cost, grain texture, availability, and even color of your finished product.
In this list, we will be discussing the best wood you can use to craft your oudoor project. We will go over the key features and what they’re known for briefly. Afterwards, it’s up to your project requirements as to which one you should use or your project. The best way to actually know is to test the wood yourself for feel, color, and advantages and make your purchase based on that.
Table of Contents
Teak
Renowned for its exceptional durability, high oil content, and resistance to elements, it’s a premium choice for outdoor furniture, decks, and other woodworking projects. However, its high cost and overharvesting have raised environmental and sustainability concerns.
Cedar
This is a favorable choice for its outdoor use. It’s lightweight, has a pleasant aroma, and naturally repels insects and resists decay, often being used in fence posts, decking, and shingles due to its stability and moderate cost.
Redwood
Redwood has a remarkable resistance to decay and insects and has a unique, rich color. It is often used for outdoor structures like decking becasue it offers stability and strength. It also has a moderate to high cost, depending on availability.
Ipe
Hailed for its immense hardness and durability. Ipe stands out as one of the most decay-resistant and pest-resistant woods available, used predominantly in decking and outdoor furniture, but comes with a high price tag due to its outstanding qualities.
White Oak
This wood has a high density, high water resistance, and serves as a versatile option for outdoor applications. It offers strength and durability, frequently appearing in boat building, outdoor furniture, and flooring.
Mahogany
Known for its workability and very appealing grain pattern, Mahogany is often a choice for high-end outdoor furniture and decking, requiring careful sourcing due to concerns over the sustainability of certain species.
Purpleheart
Having a strange purple color, it is also known for it’s extreme hardness. It usually find its way in intricate woodworking projects, including outdoor applications. Although its availability and price can vary widely depending on the source.
Conclusion
For the best results, go with the outdoor wood that fits your personal preference. The best way to find out which wood is right for you is to go feel out the woods for yourself and determine which one you prefer.
Another consideration would be to find similar projects made of these woods that are used outdoors and findd a preferable design. Also, understand if that wood, depending on how harsh the outdoor elements are in the products final resting place, needs to be coated or refinished from time to time.
