Douglas Fir. Douglas Fir is a softwood species that is native to North America. It is well-known for its strength, durability, and water and rot-resistant properties, making it a popular choice for outdoor projects such as decking, siding, and framing.
Choose Rot Resistant Wood for Your Project
Well-known domestic examples include cedar, redwood, old-growth cypress, mulberry, yew, osage orange, and black locust. Tropical wood examples include ipe, lignumvitae, purpleheart, and old-growth teak.
Which Wood Lasts the Longest? Teak wood easily lasts the longest when used for outdoor furniture or decking. When properly maintained, it can last for the entirety of your life and years after.
Because of all its natural oils, teak is generally considered the most naturally water resistant wood — but it's not really particularly affordable, sustainable or easy to get your hands on.
Redwood and cedar naturally contain tannin (a chemical that gives the products their color), which keeps the wood insect resistant. Since Californian redwood has a higher level of tannin, it could be more rot resistant than cedar.
Redwood is the better type of wood for outdoor use. The oils in the redwood act as a natural protectant that resists moisture, insects, and fire. Redwood itself is also more dense and sturdy than cedar. While cedar is certainly a durable outdoor fencing material, redwood is the more long-lasting option.
With time, redwood loses its vibrant contrast and becomes more of a medium brown color. Yearly maintenance is required to keep the color rich. During the deck maintenance process, you need to be especially careful with the soft redwood decking so as not to damage the wood under high pressure.
Naturally resistant woods that are commercially available include black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), teak (Tectona grandis), ipe (Tabebuia spp.), California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). These have the highest resistance to rot over time.
While redwood or teak certainly qualify, five more common lumber species that also stand up well to sunlight, moisture and wood-boring insects are Western red cedar, Spanish cedar, cypress, white oak and mahogany. Red cedar tends to be knotty, but it's affordable and widely available.
Cedar wood projects normally last more than 20 years sans any rot, split or warp. Among other water resistant wood types are White oak and teak. These are also long lasting woods resistant to warping, decay, cracking, or twisting.
Cedar wood projects typically last more than 20 years without splitting, rotting, or warping. White oak and teak are also long lasting woods that are resistant to decay, twisting, cracking, or warping.
Heirloom-quality handmade wood furniture should last more than a lifetime. In fact, it can last for decades if properly maintained. This type of wood furniture is more likely to reach the “antique” milestone, meaning it can last 100 years or more.
In our experience, the best wood for outdoor furniture comes from top-of-the-line hardwood such teak. Teak outdoor furniture will repel water, deter insects, and won't warp with changes in humidity. With time, furniture made from hardwood varieties will weather out to a beautiful silver-gray color.
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This is caused by the oils and acids produced by both wood species. These are known scientifically as “polyoxyphenols” which give cedar its distinctive and pleasant aroma. The “phenols” also are responsible for Cedar's natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect infestation.
The best hardwoods for rainy weather are teak, mahogany, redwood, walnut, and cypress; the best softwood is cedar. These woods are ideal because they resist moisture well. Therefore, they don't warp or rot like other woods would if subjected to similar conditions.
Redwood works well for outdoor projects. It naturally resists rot and is more attractive than pressure-treated wood. Cedar resists rot, especially when treated regularly with a preservative. It is a popular and highly attractive choice for outdoor projects.
Untreated Wood
Left in their natural, unfinished state, most woods deteriorate quickly when exposed to outdoor environments. However, there are several species that have naturally occurring chemicals that help them shrug off harsh weather and insects.
Use an outdoor-rated finish like polyurethane, epoxy, lacquer, or varnish. Make a natural oil finish with one part tung or linseed oil, one part mineral spirits, and one part polyurethane. Use a stain sealant combo that gives your wood some color and a durable finish all in one.
Wood can Start to Rot in 1-3 Years If:
Wood is untreated. The wooded area is in a hot climate. The wooded area is not painted with the proper paint.
Liquid sealants are one of the most common ways to waterproof wood. These sealants are applied directly to the surface of the wood and form an impermeable barrier against water penetration. It is important to apply several coats of sealant to ensure a thorough application.
It is naturally resistant to insects, decay and warping. “A redwood fence will typically last 25 years or more with little or no maintenance,” Jourdain says. “Treated wood and cedar fences will begin to exhibit performance problems in half this time.”
Redwood is perhaps the most sustainable building material
The main energy source for the growth of redwood is the sun. In fact redwood forests are amazing solar powered lumber factories. Lumber keeps that carbon safely out of the atmosphere and helps reduce emissions.
It is recommended that you use a protective finish with a water repellant, mildewcide and ultraviolet inhibitor. Redwood can last up to about 30 years on a well-maintained deck under good circumstances.