Did you think that all wooden patio furniture was pretty much the same? If so, it’s time to think again. There are multiple woods that are used to create wooden patio furniture. The type of wood impacts everything from the appearance of the wood when you buy it, the way it looks later on down the road, and how you should care for it.

Teak

Let’s start with teak. Teak is a popular choice for wooden patio furniture thanks to its beauty and durability. Sourced from southeast Asia, this wood has natural oils that help repel insects, rot, and decay. It’s naturally strong and weather-resistant. It doesn’t tend to shrink or swell in response to harsh weather. Color ranges from golden to a dark brown. Teak’s ranking on the Janka hardness scale varies depending on the variety, ranging from 1155-3330 lbf.

Roble

This light golden honey toned wood comes from the Trumpet Tree found in Costa Rica. Like teak, it is quite strong and durable. Roble clocks in at 987 lbf on the Janka hardness scale, which means it’s a bit softer than the softest teak. Its natural oils and resins enable it to be weather resistant, similar to teak. It doesn’t take much to care for this hardwood to keep it looking beautiful. Just wipe it down to get rid of any debris and apply a hardwood oil as needed.

Ipe

You may be more familiar with this wood as Brazilian walnut, ironwood, or Pao Lope. As one of the names suggests, this wood originates from Brazil. This wood is stronger than teak, ranking a 3684 lbf on the Janka hardness scale. Its resistance to fading, along with the natural oils that help it resist rot, fungus, and insects, make furniture made from this wood something that can last for ages if maintained well. It’s also quite resistant to water, which contributes to its longevity.

If you want to end up with wooden patio furniture that you’ll be happy with, getting to know the different woods that are used to make it is a must. We recommend choosing furniture made from hardwood, since it lasts longer, withstands the elements better, and holds up better to pests than softwood tends to. Whatever your choice, the more familiar you are with your chosen wood, the better you’ll know how to take good care of it.

Check out our Jensen Leisure collection of wooden patio furniture for quality tables and chairs that can perfectly complement your patio.