Teak vs Cedar – Outdoor Furniture

If you’re looking to decorate your backyard, garden, deck, patio or yacht then you’ve probably considered purchasing some sort of wood outdoor furniture.  Two of the most prevalent types are teak and cedar.  Both are known for their extraordinary ability to hold up even the harshest of climates from damp and tropical to cold and snowy.  With many retailers offering both options you may find yourself overwhelmed with choices and not know what to do next.  In this article you’ll learn the pros and cons to both types of patio furniture so you can make a more educated decision.  Regardless of which you choose though , you can be sure that you are making a good choice as both are some of the finest materials available and will last for many years to come.

Cedar is known for its durable, light weight, aromatic, and insect repellant properties.  Add to it that it’s cost effective and you have a great choice for outdoor furniture.  Cedar will last for many years and stand up very well to rain, sleet, and snow.  usually found in the pacific northwest of the US and Canada, cedar is abundantly available and easy to manufacture.  The ease of production and availability help to keep the price relatively low for furniture manufacturers and therefore consumers. 

You may be wondering, with all of these great benefits, what are the downsides to choosing cedar for a furnishing choice ?  The answer can be several .  First, to preserve the cedar furniture, it’s recommended to apply a clear coat, and or a stain.  This helps preserve its cherry color which can often times fade from the sun.  When properly reconditioned the furniture will keep its color and look great for many years.  Often times though it can be burdensome to apply many coats of finish to a piece of furniture.  This is amplified when there are many pieces to maintain.   Another reason cedar is sometimes passed over is its light weight.  While easy to move and convenient to store away, its light weight often deters consumers who want a heavy duty piece of furniture.

Teak outdoor furniture on the other hand is very similar yet almost the very opposite of cedar in many ways.  While also excellent for maintaining its integrity in the worst of climates , teak is a more dense heavy wood not commonly found in the United States.  Most of the world’s teak wood is imported from the Java region of Indonesia adding an exotic element to its ownership.  Teak is often referred to as the “Gold Standard” of outdoor furniture as its high price helps to make it unique and rare.  Although uncommon, teak furniture will last for generations!  Ship makers even use it to make the decks of many ocean going vessels which can easily withstand the salty ocean waters and climates with no deterioration.  The teak wood itself secretes its own teak oil which serves to condition and preserve the wood making it virtually a maintenance free choice.  Of course, if the color is to be maintained then you would still need to apply the teak oil as a sort of stain.  Otherwise the very desirable patina gray color emerges from the woods innate(p) tones.

To sum up, it may be necessary to evaluate many factors when making a decision , but with both teak and cedar, you are sure to own a quality piece of patio furniture.    If your budget allows then you’ll definitely find a more luxurious option with teak outdoor furniture.  However if you still wish to have a nice wood appearance that will last a long time but don’t wish to pay a premium price then cedar is a fine choice that will meet almost any budget!