Wood For Exterior Use

Your geographic location will determine the availability and cost of these materials.

Wood for exterior use.

Active steps can be taken to make untreated wood still be a viable option outside if need be. The three most widely available and suitable exterior lumber choices not treated with chemical preservatives include western red cedar redwood and cypress. Yes untreated wood can be used outside. In a garden bed or trellis for example.

The most common tropical hardwood species include teak ipe mahogany and rosewood. Cedars both western and eastern types are excellent woods for outdoor projects. Tropical hardwoods are widely known for being ideal for exterior projects i e. It is most important to use rot resistant wood when it comes in direct contact with the ground.

Lighter grades of redwood may be fine for decking and handrails. Some siding is designed for vertical installation in a board and batten style. It is also a softwood that is resistant to rot and decay but the appearance is somewhat lighter than that of redwood and cedar. Choosing wood for outdoor projects.

Photo by markus photography. Wood siding or cladding is natural attractive material used to cover and protect the exterior of a house. Woods for outdoor projects. Use this table to find the right decay resistant species for your project.

Steps such as sealing painting or using other bonding agents increase the life of untreated wood. Others such as shingles clapboards or shakes are installed horizontally. It also has a sour smell compared to the lovely aroma of cedar. For most outdoor projects naturally rot resistant wood is a good idea.

A lot of timber is chemically treated to prevent rot but some woods have superior natural rot resistance and can be used outdoors without chemical treatment. Natural wood is a great choice for adding warmth and texture to your garden. In this case the same lightweight wood cladding used to cover homes and buildings has been used to create an architectural sculpture drawing inspiration from three seeds. Redwood for example is widely available and used in the western united states.

Decking cladding etc making them a wonderful option for pergolas. Cypress is another wood that is commonly used on the exterior of a house. But treated wood is also associated with health issues. It protects wood against wind sun debris and moisture.

However cypress is more difficult to get and is more expensive than cedar. Pressure treated wood is designed for outdoor applications. Western cedar typically has a full red color throughout. The higher quality redwood should be used for furniture.

If you d rather not deal with it at all there are options to protect exterior wood. 1 the southern and eastern pines and baldcypress are now largely second growth with a large proportion of sapwood. Just when you think that wood cladding can only be used as an exterior covering it s time to think again. For diehard wood lovers tropical hardwood is a hard choice to beat for a real wood pergola.

Sunlight exposure moisture insects and fungi are main factors that contribute to wood rot.