How to find the best lumber to build wood furniture.

These days, the sky is basically the limit when it comes to the types of outdoor furniture homeowners are placing in their yards. Perhaps you want to construct a bench, chair, picnic table, or even a coffee table? No matter what you want to build, you need to start by selecting the right materials to build wood furniture.

We suggest you conduct your search by paying close attention to these specific project requirements:

Material Costs 

When choosing building materials for wood furniture, the first thing you obviously need to consider is the cost. Although most types of lumber aren’t very expensive, the prices can vary and will obviously depend on how much material you’ll need for the project. This is why it’s advisable to figure out a low and high budget before you make any other big decisions for the project.

Rain & Moisture

It’s no secret that certain parts of Florida are prone to water damage from hurricanes and rainstorms. If you live in one of these areas, then you should concentrate on wood materials that are water-resistant. This will ensure that the wood lasts longer and isn’t vulnerable to mold, mildew, and rot. It’s important to note, though, that mold and mildew can be cleaned off most wood surfaces without sustaining any damage, so this is rarely a major concern.

Lumber such as heartwood redwood is a great option. This type of lumber is water resistant and a great option for Florida.

High Level of Sunshine

Since Florida is called the Sunshine State, it’s obvious most residents need to worry about the amount of ultraviolet rays coming down on their house. If you live in an area that gets extremely warm, even just for the summer months, you must choose a wood that’s strong enough to resist the heat. If not, it could be vulnerable to cracking and splitting.

Color & Luster Fading

Another problem you might run across with certain types of wood furniture is that the high level of heat may cause fading of either color or luster. The good news is this typically takes a very long time before the change is noticeable. If you’re overly concerned, you could always cover up wooden furniture when not in use.

Heat Retention

While it may seem like we’re repeating ourselves, the Florida sun obviously influences a lot of home improvement decisions. Certain types of wood retain heat more than others, which can make it uncomfortable or even painful when someone sits down on a hot summer’s day. You have the option of either choosing a specific type of wood or placing cushions or pillows in spots where people will be sitting.

Wind Vulnerability 

If you live in an area where high winds are common, especially during hurricane season, then you’ve probably seen outdoor furniture that’s been blown into another person’s yard or into the street. To prevent this in a high-wind area, you may want to consider using heavier types of wood that can withstand a certain level of wind strength. The alternative is to secure the furniture to the ground, deck, or patio.

Cleaning & Care 

You typically won’t see a wide range of cleaning and care difficulties when dealing with wood furniture. Most wood can be cleaned quite easily. This will become a bigger factor if your furniture will be incorporating outdoor fabrics or paint such as acrylic or others that might need specific care.

Rust & Corrosion

If you’re only going to be using wood in your furniture construction, then you probably don’t have to worry about rust and corrosion. However, many homeowners will construct furniture where the primary material is wood but some type of metal, such as wrought iron or stainless steel, is used for part of the construction. This can be for functionality or appearance. If this is the case, then it’s important that you understand how vulnerable it might be to damage, especially due to heavy levels of moisture.

Rust and corrosion are common issues caused by environmental factors, such as rain.

Contact Peninsular Lumber for Help with Wood Furniture Materials and Construction

Peninsular Lumber has a wide variety of lumber available and can help you choose the right materials for your next wood furniture project. If you’re interested in custom home building or are simply planning a single furniture item, get in touch with us by calling (813) 875-8805 today or visiting our lumber company in Tampa. 4812 N. Grady Ave, Tampa, FL. 33614