Whether you are looking for the best wood for outdoor projects like fencing, decking, or cladding, keep in mind that the wood you choose needs certain qualities and characteristics that set it apart from others.
The wood for outdoor projects needs to be durable and resistant to scratches. This wood should also resist moisture that can cause decay and fungal attacks. Outdoor projects usually call for wood that works best in high-traffic areas.
In this blog post, we will cover the best wood for outdoor projects that will add a touch of sophistication to your space while being highly durable! Read on to find out!
Best Wood for Outdoor Projects
Using natural wood is an excellent choice to add warmth, texture, and character for outdoor projects like your garden. Here are some of the most durable woods for outdoor projects; each option has unique properties that make them suitable for outdoor projects. So, choose wisely based on your requirements and budget.
1. Iroko
Iroko wood makes for an excellent choice of wood for outdoor projects. This tropical African hardwood combines durability and is naturally resistant to moisture and insect attacks. It is found in the Ivory Coast region. Iroko requires minimal maintenance and is perfectly sustainable in harsh weather and places where moisture and humidity levels are high.
Another factor that adds to the significance of this wood is its remarkable quality of being scratch resistant which is very much needed for outdoor projects exposed to dust and varying weather conditions.
Iroko wood has a gorgeous, exotic, and refined finish. It comes in yellowish-golden hues. Its color darkens as it matures, turning into a rich deep brown or bronze shade. So, if you are looking to make a luxury statement with a sophisticated and durable outdoor project, go for Iroko wood; you won’t be disappointed.
2. White Oak
Another durable and sturdy hardwood option for outdoor projects is white oak, also known as the “whiskey barrel” wood. Its non-porous quality makes it a suitable choice for an outdoor project. White oak is super strong and durable.
Wood for outdoor projects needs to be resistant to moisture, and this is what white oak is famous for. The straight-grained texture of white oak makes it immune to decay and insect attacks.
White oak is also really easy to work, and it splits relatively easily, so pre-drilling holes won’t be necessary like most hardwood. The strength and beauty of this hardwood make it an excellent choice for your next outdoor project.
3. Teak
Teak is perhaps the Rolls-Royce of hardwoods for outdoor projects. It is a little more expensive than other woods, for it is definitely worth the price.
Teak is waterproof, durable, and has a straight-grained texture which makes it resistant to moisture, decay, and insects. These qualities allow teak to be left out in the most adverse weather conditions without worry.
Traditionally, teak was used to build boats, which says just about everything you need to know about its durability and strength. For DIY outdoor projects, teak makes for a great choice as it is an absolute joy to work with as teak itself machines easily.
Teak wood is golden-ish brown in color which tends to darken as it ages. It requires very low maintenance that would otherwise be required for outdoor projects. To maintain its silky, gorgeous tones, all you need to do is apply oil once a year.
Teak is the king of wood projects which makes its price justified. Try it out for your next DIY project; you will love it. With teak, the beauty and elegance of the wood speak as loudly as the craftsmanship.
4. Western Red Cedar Wood
Although Western Red Cedar wood is classified as a softwood, it makes for a highly durable and strong choice of wood for outdoor projects. Western Red Cedar wood has a higher resin content than most woods, making it naturally resistant to insect attacks and decay.
The deep rich reddish-brown tones of Western Red Cedar wood make it an easy choice for outdoor projects. As it ages, it turns into a silver-ish grey tone that will add a modern and contemporary touch to your space.
Western Red Cedar wood is soft and easy to work with. However, keep in mind that it is less dense than some of our other hardwood suggestions for outdoor projects. This wood is often used for fencing or any other projects that don’t require high-impact endurance. Nonetheless, it still makes for a high-performance choice of wood for outdoor projects.
5. Douglas Fir
If you are looking for a relatively cheaper wood option for outdoor projects, go for Douglas Fir. It is one of the cheapest woods for outdoor projects, making it suitable for those looking to have durable wood on a tighter budget.
Douglas Fir, a softwood, is easy to work with and contains a high resin content, making this wood immune to rotting and fungal attacks –a quality much needed for outdoor furniture or other projects. This wood also works well, so it would be a suitable choice if you are looking to DIY.
Douglas Fir is highly durable and strong and has been a traditional choice for porch decking and porches for over a hundred years. Douglas Fir works well for outdoor projects when given a protective coating like paint.
According to research conducted by the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Douglas Fir (untreated) will last somewhere between ten to fifteen years if used in outdoor projects. It sounds like a reasonably durable option, doesn’t it?
Our Concluding Thoughts
Choosing the best wood for outdoor projects can be a little trickier than regular indoor projects. You need to ensure that the wood you are choosing will hold up in adverse weather conditions and in the face of fungal attacks, insect attacks, moisture, and humility. Although no wood is one hundred percent immune to these days, some are more durable and resistant than others.
We hope this guide was helpful in helping you decide on the best wood for outdoor projects. Good Luck and Happy Wood-working!
