What are the best wood choices for outdoor benches in Georgia and nationwide?

When it comes to crafting outdoor benches that stand the test of time in Georgia and nationwide, you have several excellent wood options. The top choices include Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, and Massaranduba. These hardwoods are known for their durability, resistance to wood-boring insects, and low maintenance requirements.

Is composite plastic lumber a good alternative for outdoor benches?

While composite plastic lumber has been used for outdoor projects, it has been associated with numerous complaints, and many homeowners have faced issues with their decks. Based on feedback and complaints, it's advisable to avoid using composite plastic lumber for outdoor benches in Georgia and nationwide.

Choose the Finest Woods for Outdoor Benches

When it comes to crafting outdoor benches that stand the test of time, the choice of wood is crucial. At Brazilian Wood Depot, we are committed to helping you make the right selection for your outdoor bench project.

Outdoor benches are often made from pressure-treated pine or cedar. While these woods are popular choices, they come with some maintenance challenges. The open and porous grain structure of softwoods like pine and cedar tends to absorb water like a sponge. This necessitates annual maintenance and the application of a water sealer to prevent issues.

However, the maintenance demands can be quite cumbersome for many, leading to neglected benches that are far from inviting. Splintering and the infiltration of wood-boring insects further contribute to the discomfort associated with softwood benches.

Is Composite Plastic Lumber a Good Alternative? In our extensive experience supplying exterior lumber, we have seen numerous complaints from homeowners who have faced issues with composite plastic lumber. Many have needed to replace their entire decks due to failures, often unsupported by the manufacturer’s warranty.

When it comes to composite decking, a simple online search reveals various homeowner complaints, highlighting the problems they’ve faced. Based on this feedback, we advise against using these products.

The Top 5 Choices for Outdoor Benches

Ipe Wood: Ipe, pronounced as EE-pay, is a natural hardwood that surpasses teak in hardness. It’s renowned for its durability, having served on iconic structures like the Coney Island boardwalk and the Brooklyn Bridge. Ipe is resistant to wood-boring insects, doesn’t splinter, doesn’t get excessively hot like plastic lumber, and offers flame resistance, scratch resistance, and resistance to mold and fungi. Its density prevents water absorption, making it a prime choice for outdoor wood benches.
Cumaru Wood: Similar to Ipe, Cumaru shares many properties and boasts a range of colors from golden tan to reddish brown. It’s low-maintenance, resists wood-boring insects, and naturally combats rot and decay. What makes Cumaru even more appealing is its price point, often up to 40 percent lower than Ipe.
Tigerwood: This beautiful wood hails from South America and combines durability with aesthetics. With a lifespan exceeding 30 years, Tigerwood is resistant to wood-boring insects, mold, mildew, and splintering. It’s a low-maintenance material suitable for benches, decks, fences, siding, and more.
Garapa Wood: Known as Brazilian Ash, Garapa boasts a fine-grain and a light yellow to warm golden hue. Naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects, it offers a lifespan of 30+ years, making it a great choice for outdoor benches, decks, and more.
Massaranduba Wood: Massaranduba, often called Brazilian Redwood, outperforms California Redwood in durability and requires less maintenance. It’s over 7 times harder than California Redwood and naturally resists rot, decay, and wood-boring insects. Massaranduba is also a low-maintenance option with a lifespan of 30+ years, suitable for various projects, including exterior wood benches.

At Brazilian Wood Depot, we offer a range of beautiful South American hardwoods for crafting outdoor wood benches that are both enduring and visually pleasing.

Outdoor Benches Gallery: