Benefits of Wood Outdoor Furniture

For those looking to create a warm and welcoming outdoor space, there are few better places to start than with premium outdoor furniture. Compared to composite materials or metal, wood has distinct advantages: it has one-of-a-kind natural beauty, improved durability and use, easy maintenance, versatility, sustainability, and investment potential. These factors make wooden outdoor furniture a popular choice for those looking to invest in their living space.

Unique Characteristics of Wood

The whole reason we, as people, are so drawn to spending time in outdoor spaces is because it allows us to unwind and spend time in nature. Our indoor lives are confined to rigid, harsh geometric shapes that feel cold; being outside, on the other hand, emits us in an organic environment. Why ruin this beautifully natural ambiance with plastics and mass-manufactured furniture that belongs in an industrial museum, not your relaxation zone? Embracing the organic elements of wood, with its unique grain and natural colors, further embraces the entire point of spending time outside.

Integration with Outdoor Themes

With so many kinds of wood to choose from and the endless array of designs possible with them, you are sure to find a set of wooden outdoor furniture to fit exactly what you are looking for. Cedar can give a more rustic feel to a space; for more upscale spaces, African hardwoods such as African mahogany provide phenomenal outdoor weather resistance while giving a staggeringly gorgeous appearance.

Timelessness of Wood

Unlike mass-produced outdoor furniture that will go out of style at the end of the season, wooden outdoor furniture has been the gold standard for generations and will be for many more to come. No matter if your tastes change from farm to modern, quality wood furniture paired with elegant design will always look in style.

Durability and Longevity

Outdoor furniture truly bears the harshest brunt of what any furniture has to face; it not only has to tolerate spilled drinks but also year-round weather exposure. Contrary to what you might think, compared to metals and plastics, wood furniture continues to hold up better for years to come.

Resilience Against Elements

High-quality wooden outdoor furniture made from naturally rot-resistant woods, such as African mahogany, as mentioned before, will last for decades. Just look at all the wooden churches throughout Europe that are centuries old. Compared to plastics which degrade with UV exposure, and metals which will corrode and rust causing health concerns, wood is the better choice for a durable outdoor setting year-round, for years to come.

Strength and Stability

Wood's inherent strength makes it the ideal choice for outdoor furniture. Compared to other materials like metal and plastic that fatigue over time and can crack, wood absorbs the wear and tear of everyday use and is resistant to breaking down.

Maintenance and Structural Integrity

By Peter Pryharski (https://unsplash.com/@meteorphoto)

Just like Viking ships made from solid hardwoods, with proper care, wooden outdoor furniture will last the test of time, even against the harshest environments. For Mathewson Standard outdoor furniture, the maintenance is very simple; a re-coating of boiled linseed oil to all the wood will not only bring color back to the wood but it will also continue to protect the wood from water damage for decades. Compared to having to sand off rust and re-primer then re-paint metal, the maintenance of wood furniture is by far the easiest of all outdoor furniture materials.

Simplified Cleaning Process

Compared to some plastics that will stain and permanently discolor with time and use or metals that can have harsh reactions to certain cleaning products, wood is a very suitable material for easy cleaning. When the wood grains are filled with finishing oil, they block any other stains or liquids from absorbing into the wood. This results in any dirt collecting on the surface and easily being wiped away.

Restoration Potential

Unlike metals that will rust into oblivion, wood ages and turns gray. Many people think this gray powder that forms on the surface is harmful to the integrity of the wood. The truth is quite the opposite: the wood turns gray because the sun breaks down the lignin in the wood, leaving a coat of cellulose on the outer surface. This sun-bleached cellulose is gray in color and will actually absorb the harmful rays of the sun, protecting the wood underneath. So the next time you see a piece of furniture that looks like it is past its prime, remember that just a few thousandths of an inch beneath the surface is perfectly preserved wood that is ready to come back to life.

Long-Term Care Tips

Extending the long-term life of your outdoor wooden furniture is quite easy; mainly, you need to let the wood do its thing and stay solid. This includes keeping it oiled so water does not seep in and lead to rot. Over-the-counter UV blocking finishes do not work. If the finish is clear, it is not adding any UV blocking characteristics; this is why welding masks are always heavily tinted. Keeping fresh oil in the wood and occasional sanding, if necessary, is the only maintenance against sun damage (to keep the bright color of the wood, the gray film will form that naturally protects the wood).

Versatility and Customization Options

Just like how the grain in wood is so unique, there are an infinite number of ways that a set of wood outdoor furniture can be made. This means that you can always find exactly what you are looking for to match your style. Companies like Mathewson Standard are even offering customized outdoor furniture that can be purchased online to match your exact requirements.

Array of Furniture Styles

Just like how there are so many customization options, wood can be used to make any design style of furniture that you want. It is obviously a good choice for more intricate classic design but can also be very effectively implemented into a modern design with straight lines.

Wood furniture can be designed and customized for use in the most special outdoor spaces. But, this does not mean that beauty cannot be transferred. The inherent beauty of wood draws warmth in us when we look at it, and pieces can easily be moved around and still draw us in, even if they are not in the space they were originally designed to be in.

Environmental Sustainability

Wood is a renewable resource, making it a more sustainable choice compared to other materials such as plastic or metal. As long as the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests, it is a great eco-friendly option for your outdoor furniture. These responsible forests keep an eye on how much wood they are consuming to make sure they are not over-depleting the forest and they are planting more trees than they are cutting down. Plus, when it comes time to replace your furniture, wood can easily be recycled or repurposed.

Low Carbon Footprint

Compared to metals and plastics that require mixing harsh chemicals and burning coal and gasses to produce, wood harvesting is a much cleaner act that does not require the emissions of harsh chemicals. Even while it is being manufactured, wood does not consume as much energy as synthetic materials or metals.

Supporting Sustainable Forestry

Luckily, in today's world, it is easier than ever to find outdoor wood furniture that is made from wood that is responsibly harvested. These forests are committed to continuing the life of the entire forest ecosystem and supporting a more environmentally conscious world.

Health Benefits

Wood and the oils used to finish them are natural and safe; in fact, linseed oil that is used to protect outdoor wood furniture is sold as flaxseed oil for cooking. Comparing this to the paints and chemicals used on other outdoor furniture that often contain methyl ethyl ketone, polymer resins, and other harsh, often high VOC chemicals that can have harmful effects on the body.

Allergen-Free Surface

The smooth, solid surface of wood does not harbor dust mites and can easily be wiped down. Trapping dust and allergens can be a concern with upholstered outdoor furniture. For those with allergies, wooden furniture can make spending time outdoors more enjoyable and symptom-free.

Therapeutic Qualities

There is growing research that suggests being surrounded by natural materials like wood can have a calming effect on the mind and body. By implementing them into an outdoor area that you want to be in, you will help to embrace a more organic lifestyle that you will enjoy living.

Cost-Effective

While wood outdoor furniture may have a higher upfront cost compared to other materials, not only will it remain looking great longer but it will last longer, saving you money in the long run. Where more budget-friendly outdoor furniture cuts corners that result in parts and pieces that break down and need to be replaced, quality outdoor wood furniture that uses stainless steel fasteners and good quality oils will last without needing to be replaced.

Value Retention

Unlike budget-friendly outdoor furniture that loses all of its value when you try to re-sell it, quality wood furniture that has received even minimal maintenance will hold its value and can help add home value if you ever choose to sell, helping you to recuperate the initial investment.

Reduced Replacement Costs

Well-taken care of wood furniture will last generations, but if the need arises and you need to replace parts, Mathewson Standard can remake any part of their furniture so that you can easily replace it and go right back to enjoying your luxury outdoor space.

How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Outdoor Furniture

The quality of your outdoor furniture comes down to the quality of wood that it is made from. Historically, teak is a very common choice because of its water resistance. There are other woods that should be strongly avoided, such as red oak or pine.

Understanding Wood Types

What has made teak such a popular choice in the past is its oil content that makes it so resilient to rot and insects. With advancements in international trade and sustainable farming, African mahogany is now a viable option that has many advantages over teak. African mahogany has a beautiful deep red color that is more resistant to aging than teak

Well taken care of wood furniture will last generations but if the need arises and you need to replace parts, Mathewson Standard can remake any part of their furniture so that you can easily replace it and go right back to enjoying your luxury outdoor space.

How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Outdoor Furniture

The quality of your outdoor furniture comes down to the quality of wood that it is made from, historically teak is a very common choice because of its water resistance. There are other woods that should be strongly avoided such as red oak or pine.

Understanding Wood Types

What has made teak such a popular choice in the past is its oil content that makes it so resilient to rot and insects. With advancements in international trade and sustainable farming, African mahogany is now a viable option that has many advantages over teak. African mahogany has a beautiful deep red color that is more resistant to aging than teak, it works more cleanly without splintering, and is very stable in the outdoor environment making it the best choice for new outdoor furniture.

Factors to Consider

Naturally rot resistant woods are always the best choice, as mentioned teak and African mahogany are very rot resistant, wood like cedar have similar properties but are softer and will die much easier. Woods like pine, fir, or red oak will not last outdoors due to the harsher conditions. Any furniture made from composite wood materials like MDF, Extera, particle board, or plywood should be avoided like the plague as they rely on adhesives to hold them together that are not suitable in an outdoor environment.

The preferable woods may cost more, although they are coming down in price due to increasing efficiency in farming, but they will last and perform for far longer and better than the more affordable alternatives.

Caring for Your Wood Outdoor Furniture

Although teak, African mahogany, and cedar are inherently better in outdoor climates they still benefit from protection from direct sunlight if possible and general upkeep like cleaning and re-oiling.

Protection and Preservation

• A regular re-application of oil will protect the wood from insects and water, if the furniture receives any major physical damage like deep scrapes or gauges applying new oil to the exposed wood fibers is all that is needed to protect them further. UV from the sun is the natural enemy of outdoor furniture and keeping furniture in the shade is a great way to increase their longevity.

Proper Storage

• If your furniture goes through the winter seasons without being used it is a great idea, if possible, to cover them during these months to protect them from snow and sun exposure. Just keep in mind that you do not want to trap water under the cover so make sure any water that gets in can easily get out.

Avoiding Wood Rot

• Mathewson standard takes steps like laying epoxy to the bottom of the legs to prevent water from getting sucked into the wood and causing rot. If your wooden outdoor furniture does not have features like this avoid direct contact with the wet ground.

Conclusion

The benefits of outdoor wood furniture are unparalleled by other materials for outdoor furniture. With the ability to match any style and be customized; along with the environmental and health benefits, wood furniture deserves your attention when you are planning to remodel your outdoor space.