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.
Insects and rot are drawn to softwood. Water damage is common in older homes because termites thrive on damp, rotting wood. The white pines, fir, and other soft woods that are commonly utilised in modern construction today give very little protection against termites and rot.
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.
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.
In fact, treated pine posts are said to last for 15 to 25 years, while hardwood posts last for 20 to 30 years. All of this means that if short term costs are your limiting factor, then treated pine is your best bet. If aesthetics is top priority, then hardwood is the way to go.
Cedar is rot resistant.
This can vary with each species, but on the whole, the wood of most cedar species are considered at least moderately durable in terms of rot resistance, and are frequently used for exterior applications.
Because of the size and straightness often found in Poplar logs, it is no wonder why the pioneers preferred this timber for log cabin construction. It is also highly rot resistant, which is why many barns were sided in the last couple centuries with Poplar lumber.
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.
Teak. Teak is the most highly recommended material for wooden outdoor furniture among designers, not only due to its resilience in any season but also because of its style and soft, grained finish. This miraculous material produces its own oils, making it unique in comparison to other types of natural woods.
Cedar is also softwood but it's tougher and more resistant than pine, able to resist the outdoor elements with no further treatment. This is why it's a great choice for outdoor tables and yard furniture. Cedar can also be used indoors for chests, wardrobes, and musical instruments.
Extremely Rot-Resistant Wood
Mahogany – This is the king of hardwood. It is extremely dense and hard which keeps the insects and water at bay, preventing rot. Mahogany is beautiful when finished natural, which is why many doors are built with it.
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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.
You'll want to be vigilant about applying clear sealers with UV (ultraviolet light) blockers to keep the rich color of the natural wood. Don't put cedar where it's in direct contact with the ground or set it in concrete. It may last for a while, but eventually it will rot and deteriorate.
Rot is a Real Threat for Any Wood
Pressure-treating can make wood water-resistant, but it's not 100 percent rot-resistant. Any time the wood moves, bends, or cracks, water can enter.
If you're looking for a durable, long-lasting material that's resistant to rot and decay, cedar is a good choice. Cedar is more expensive than pressure-treated wood. Cedar has a more natural look that many people find appealing.
Hickory: Hickory is the most durable species of wood that is grown domestically in the United States. With a Janka rating of approximately 1800, it is hard enough to offer excellent resistance to damage, yet beautiful and varied enough to have many different color options and a rich grain structure.
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.
Now, pine grows far slower than spruce, and this means that its growth rings are a lot tighter together, making the timber very dense. This results in redwood boards being far more sturdy once cut. Of course, the sturdier the material, the less prone to things like bending and cupping it will be.
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.