What is the best wood for outdoor use? | Our Guide

Wood instantly brings your property a natural, organic, and beautiful look. From wood fencing to wood decks, planter boxes, and even backyard sheds, there’s no replicating natural wood’s look and feel. Whether you choose to paint or stain the wood, it will be exposed to all the natural elements, so you will want to invest in wood that can handle everything from moisture to prolonged sunshine and wind. Due to this, not all lumber is created equal. If you are in the planning stages of an outdoor upgrade, here is the best wood for outdoor projects, regardless of whether you’re putting up a deck or erecting a fence that keeps critters out of your garden. 

Cedar

There are a handful of sub-category cedar woods (such as Spanish cedar), but cedar, in general, is one of the better outdoor woods you can use for an upcoming project. And if you have ever searched for “rough cut lumber near me,” you likely found the local lumber yards carry one, if not several variations of cedar. 

With cedar, you will instantly invest in a wood that is about as resistant to termites as you can find (you should still correctly protect your wood if given enough time, and no other wood source termites can still eventually damage cedar).

This is a fantastic wood that will darken with age. If you want wood showcasing its age without falling apart, a few kinds of lumber can stack up to cedar. And, at a desirable price point, cedar remains one of the best options out there.

White Oak

This is one of the more common kinds of woods you will find in a lumber yard. This is because it is widely grown throughout the United States. This wood is beneficial as it is both insect-resistant and weathers beautifully. If you take proper care of your outdoor wood, this kind of wood will age like a fine wine or a perfect leather jacket. 

One thing to keep in mind, though, when working with white oak is that it will experience some level of shrinkage. On the flip side, though, the wood works well with steam bending, so if you need to add subtle curves to your wood, white oak is versatile enough to handle this. 

Teak

Teak might not be the most common kind of wood here in the United States, at least found at local lumber yards, but it absolutely needs to be mentioned. Suppose you’ve popped into the furniture section of the local import store or have ever purchased an outdoor wood seat coming from Southeast Asia. In that case, you’ve probably happened upon some furniture constructed of teak. 

Teak is fantastic in that it is as close to rot-resistant as you can get. With the levels of humidity found in Southeast Asia, this is a must. While you probably wouldn’t build a fence out of teak lumber simply because of the price, if you are planning a more miniature outdoor furniture set and want a quality, beautiful wood that only really needs an oil finish to protect it, teak should absolutely be an option you consider. 

Sassafras

Beyond being a fun wood to say, sassafras lumber is also an excellent wood for your next outdoor project. For starters, this kind of wood experiences minimal shrinkage, which is crucial as you don’t want your wood splintering and cracking because the shrinking lumber was placed under too much pressure and cracked at connection points. Because the summers can be relatively humid in the area, you want a wood that handles humidity, which is what exactly Sassafras does. 

Another benefit to Sassafras is it absorbs stains and paint quickly. So, if you want to apply a new coat to the bare wood, you will end up with a rich, deep, beautifully looking wood panel. This is also an incredibly affordable kind of wood, so when you want quality lumber for outdoor use, by all means, pick up Sassafras.

Acacia

This is a fast-growing hardwood tree, which is vital to note in that wood farmers can replace this kind of tree faster. It only takes a few years, if not decades, to replace once the tree has been harvested. So, if quickly replacing the lumber you’re using in an outdoor project is essential, consider investing in acacia lumber. 

This particular kind of lumber is affordable and has a high oil content, which helps make it resistant to rotting and insect attacks. The wood is also especially water resistant, which has made it a favorite build material for boats. 

Redwood

Redwood is magnificent. There’s no mistaking redwood when you use it. However, while it is moisture-resistant and withstands insect attacks, it has some slightly less desirable qualities. For starters, Redwood is a slow-growing tree. This means it can take decades for a harvested tree to be replaced and regrown. The slow growth time is reflected in the price of the wood. If you decide to build anything in Redwood, the price tag will likely be exceedingly high. Because of this, you might want to only use Redwood on smaller projects, like an outdoor bench or chair, and not a fence or deck. 

Help With Your Next Outdoor Project

One of the best ways to ensure you have high-quality wood is to purchase your wood from a local lumber yard. At Bloodhound Lumber & Land, you will find lumber that has been locally sourced, which not only helps keep the price point down of the wood you’re purchasing, but you will know exactly where the wood came from. To find out what type of rough-cut lumber is currently in stock, or if you have wood of your own, let us help you kiln dry your lumber. Contact the Bloodhound Crew today!