Wooden garden furniture can add a timeless aesthetic to any garden, but when it comes choosing, what timber will suit your garden and how should you take care of it?
Hardwood garden furniture or softwood garden furniture?
The terms hardwood and softwood do not refer to how dense the wood is but to the characteristics of the wood and the types of tree it comes from.
Hardwood garden furniture has a rich, deep reddish-brown or brown colour and a high oil content. This makes it an ideal choice for outdoor furniture as it is resistant to moisture and insect infestation. It is hardy and extremely strong and durable, and these features, coupled with transportation costs contribute to its often higher price point which is why it is often the material of choice for luxury outdoor furniture.
Softwood garden furniture is produced from much more locally sourced softwood trees originating in northern Europe. Reduced transport costs means softwood furniture is often found at a lower price point than hardwood equivalents. Furniture made from softwood is light in colour (pale yellow or light brown) and if the timber has been pressure-treated, it may have a greenish tint. Softwood furniture is often chunkier in nature as it has a thicker cut and is therefore a popular choice in rustic settings.
How to protect wooden garden furniture
Outdoor wooden garden furniture is exposed to the full spectrum of our British weather, from hot sunshine to sub-zero frosts, snow and torrential rain, so it’s important to understand how to protect it. Hardwood garden furniture is low maintenance, requiring little more than regular cleaning followed by an application of hardwood oil to preserve it or a coat of varnish. In contrast, softwood furniture requires more ongoing care, with the application of a protective stain or varnish to guard against weather damage. It is important to learn how to protect your outdoor garden furniture in winter if it is to last as long as possible in tip top condition.
How to store timber furniture over winter
Where space does not allow you to store wooden furniture indoors over winter, it should always be kept under cover. Make sure you inspect the furniture regularly to check that water or snow has not got in under the cover and caused any damage. Of course, many people leave their furniture outdoors and uncovered year-round but where you prefer not to, always store it safely. If furniture has been kept exposed to the elements and has suffered as a result, you should learn how to restore, revive and refresh dried wood garden furniture.
How to choose wooden garden furniture
Ultimately whether you choose a hardwood dining set or a softwood bench for your garden will depend on several factors including personal preference, available space, the purpose you want the furniture to serve and, of course, available budget. If you are struggling to decide, How to choose the best furniture for your garden is full of tips to help you.
Wooden garden furniture from Witham Timber
Our pressure-treated range of softwood garden furniture includes single relaxer chairs and double relaxer companion sets, as well as 2- and 3-seater benches. Our hardwood garden furniture is available in a choice of companion sets, a fabulous Bali 8-seater dining set and the classic Willington 2-seater bench.
For any questions about wooden garden furniture, please contact our sales team by email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk or phone on 01205 359188.