Home > The Neighborhood Selecting & Caring for Furniture Not all woods are created equal when it comes to year-round outdoor performance. Only a few varieties, out of the hundreds available, are durable enough to withstand drenching rains or the harsh rays of the sun. For a piece of Wood Outdoor Furniture to stand up to the ravages of nature long term - even in a relatively mild, balmy climate - it must be made of a wood with some natural resistance to rot and insect infestation. Woods work in two very different ways to resist rot. Chemical compounds offer the first rot-resisting solution. Some woods, such as redwood, cypress, and the cedars, contain these chemical compounds that bugs, bacteria, and other agents of decomposition find offensive, so they look for their meals elsewhere. Physical barriers account for the second form of rot resistance. Woods such as white oak and black locust feature structures called tyloses that fill the pores of the wood, preventing moisture, and the decay-causing creatures that thrive in moisture, from getting into the wood in the first place.

Whether chemically or physically, the result is the same - these woods stand up to the elements, season after season. Both of these woods are native to North America and are traditionally used for boat building, house siding and furniture. They’re valued for their combination of lightweight, interesting grain pattern and extreme durability in outdoor conditions. best leather cleaner for reclinerAlthough cedar will show knots and cracks in the grain, it maintains its durability for 20 years or more without warping, splitting or rotting. clothes dryer vent cleaning servicesIts light-colored surface will weather to a silver-gray patina.best leather sofa conditioner reviews

TeakThe king of durable woods, teak will hold up long enough to pass down to the next generation. It needs no maintenance (aside from the occasional light sanding or cleaning to remove surface dirt), is dense and straight-grained, and will not warp or crack over time. Because of its high mineral content, teak resists rotting even in the wettest conditions. best vacuum cleaner for pet hair amazonOver time, the surface of the wood will weather to a beautiful silver-gray patina. best way to clean duct tape residue EucalpytusA renewable resource - eucalyptus is a plantation-grown hardwood that is sustainably harvested and in plentiful supply. cost of commercial duct cleaningThis high-quality, kiln-dried timber is incredibly solid with great durability and strength and has beautiful grain and a smooth finish that requires minimal maintenance.

Eucalyptus is extremely dense, rot- and decay-resistant with a high oil content that repels water and moisture. It also weathers to a soft gray if left untreated, however, it can be stained to maintain its rich tones.  Native White Oak Its unique cell structure repels moisture, insects and rot. The famous American sailing ship, Old Iron Side, was built with white oak and could repel British cannon balls. Dense and straight-grained, white oak furniture has an oil finish and can be left to weather to a gray patina or cleaned and re-oiled annually. SHOP NATIVE WHITE OAK Acacia (Locust)Many varieties of acacia (or locust) grow around the world and are renowned for their long-term, outdoor durability.  Locust fence posts are often the last thing standing long after the fence itself is gone. Acacia is a moderately heavy, dense wood with interesting variable grain patterns. An oil finish can bring out the character of the grain or it can be left to weather to a dark gray. For unfinished woods, which generally turn a beautiful silver or gray as the years go by, a light sanding with 150- or 180-grit sandpaper once a year will knock down any fuzzy grain (caused by rain and/or snow), eliminate any larger fibers that could cause splinters, and generally give the wood a clean, smooth look.

Don't be overzealous in sanding, however: You don't want to sand through the silver and expose the original color of the wood once the furniture is on its way to developing a natural patina. Furniture with an oil finish should be sanded in the same manner - once a year - then given a light coat of whatever oil the manufacturer or retailer recommends. Furniture Covers help extend the life of your outdoor furniture and keep the surface clean, smooth and ready-to-use when warm weather arrives. For painted wood or metal furniture, covers minimize annual maintenance and offer quick clean up. Simply take the cover off your patio furniture in the spring to reveal clean, beautiful, ready- to-use furniture. Selecting & Caring For Furniture No Comments have been submitted.Homeowners want their outdoor furniture to hold up under any weather that comes along. Teak wood, whether left unfinished or sealed, stands up to adverse weather due to its hardness, durability, and characteristic ability to lasts for decades.

The wood endures harsh sunlight, does not break down like plastic furniture, retains its shape, and does not break. Homeowners often let their teak outdoor furniture turn to a grey patina that needs very little maintenance or they preserve the natural beauty of the wood by applying products to protect it. Consumers can find just the right product to keep teak outdoor furniture looking new and safeguard the natural honey colour of the wood at home improvement stores or on eBay. For best results when restoring teak furniture, always clean the furniture before applying a sealer, stain, or other product. A simple cleaning solution and a few accessories remove accumulated surface dirt. Fill with hot water and detergent to clean furniture For drying the teak wood after cleaning Use soft bristled brush to apply cleaner Mix with water to clean furniture Use small amounts mixed with water to clean furniture Some owners prefer using a commercial teak cleaner instead of the homemade solution to brighten the colour of the wood, provide UV and mould protection, and remove dirt that settles into the grain of the wood.

Owners of outdoor furniture can follow a few simple steps to brighten up the the overall appearance of teak wood. * Put 2 litres of hot water into the bucket. * Mix in the laundry detergent and bleach. * Dip the brush into the mixture and gently scrub the wood in the direction of the grain. * Remove the cleaning solution with a clean cloth dipped into hot water. * Use a dry cloth to rub down the wood to remove excess water. * Let the furniture dry thoroughly. Following these few steps ensures that owners start the restoration process with clean furniture. Owners can perform a light sanding using medium gradesandpaper and a sanding block to remove any grey patina. Use long even strokes when sanding the furniture to reveal the rich wood underneath. Finish by sanding with a fine grade sandpaper to smooth the texture of the wood, and wipe down the surface using a clean cloth to remove any sawdust. Owners can apply a teak sealer that also keeps the wood from turning lighter and prevents the intrusion of mould and bacteria.

Teak sealers repel sunlight and still allow the natural oils of the wood to escape. Darker stains require fewer applications thereby reducing furniture maintenance. Apply the number of coats to achieve the desired colour following the manufacturer's directions for drying times. Teak wood contains natural oils that contribute to longevity and resistance to water damage. Some owners prefer to apply teak oil periodically to extend the life of the wood. When applying the oil, make sure to apply one or more coats evenly to avoid bands of streaks, and repeat every one or two months. Adding teak oil does not keep the wood from turning grey but does provide a measure of protection beyond the oily resin already present in the wood. Owners can reap the benefits of restoring outdoor furniture by including routine maintenance as part of the overall restoration plan. Regular cleanings, hosing off the furniture, and protecting the furniture from harsh wind keeps the wood from wearing as quickly.

Find deals on Backyard Furniture like umbrellas to shade furniture from the scorching sunlight. During the off season, use patio furniture covers or store furniture in a shed to preserve the teak finish. Let the furniture dry completely before storing and secure the covers using ties provided. Keep snow off the covered furniture since drips can find a way inside and cause blotches on the wood. Shopping for products to restore teak outdoor furniture is easy. Owners can type keywords into the Search bar on any eBay page such as "teak sealer", "teak oil", and "teak cleaner" for a listing of available sellers from which to choose. Shoppers can also check out deals on Backyard items for more options. Owners of teak tables, benches, loungers, Adirondack chairs, and other teak outdoor furniture need to restore it periodically. If buyers like an aged look, then washing and sanding is sufficient to maintain the furniture. Other owners seal and oil the wood to enhance its beauty and further preserve the wood.