Best Wood for Patio Furniture: Teak vs Cedar (Cost & Lifespan)
Teak is the best wood for patio furniture — its natural oils resist rot and insects for 50+ years outdoors, and shorea offers similar durability for less money. Cedar looks similar but its rot-resistant heartwood oils fade in as little as 10 years without yearly sealing, and skipping that step means refinishing or replacing furniture early. This guide compares 5 species by lifespan, cost, and upkeep, plus how to spot durable heartwood before you buy.
How Long Does Each Wood Type Actually Last Outdoors?
Lifespan is the real cost driver in patio furniture — a board foot of teak priced around $20 that lasts 50 years is often cheaper per year than a “budget” wood you replace every decade. Here is how five common species actually compare on lifespan, upkeep, and relative cost.
| Wood Species | Lifespan Outdoors | Reseal / Oil Interval | Relative Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teak | 50+ years | Optional — natural oils do the work | Highest (~$20/board ft) | Furniture you never plan to replace |
| Shorea | Up to 50 years | Every 6–12 months | High, but less than teak | A teak look for less money |
| White Oak | 20+ years untreated | Every 1–2 years with a finish | About 1/5 the cost of teak | Budget hardwood with real rot resistance |
| Cedar | 10–15 years | Yearly sealing | Low–moderate | Lightweight, DIY-friendly builds |
| Eucalyptus | Shortest of this list without yearly sealing | Every 6–12 months | Lowest of the durable hardwoods | Tight budgets, mild climates |
📊 White oak heartwood is rated resistant to very resistant to decay, with an estimated untreated service life of more than 20 years above ground. — Source: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook (FPL-GTR-113)
“Naturally durable species are those that are naturally resistant to insect damage and moisture or decay. Some of those species include cedar, black locust, and redwood.”
Best Teak & Outdoor Furniture Oil Pick
Nordicare Teak Oil for Outdoor Furniture (16.9 oz) – $19.85
Rated for teak, acacia, oak, and other outdoor hardwoods — matches the reseal interval the comparison table above recommends for anything softer than teak.
- Best for: Reviving graying teak, acacia, or shorea furniture
- Why we picked it: One product covers every species this guide recommends resealing
- Main drawback: Needs 2–3 coats for a deep, even color
Compare more teak & outdoor wood sealers
 Option 1 Furniture Clinic Teak Oil (17 oz) – $17.95
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 Option 2 STAR BRITE Premium Golden Teak Oil (16 oz) – $26.89
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 Option 3 Furniture Clinic Teak Care Kit – $39.95
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Types of Wood for Patio Furniture
Patio furniture comes in a handful of wood species, and each one trades cost against durability differently. Here is what each is actually good and bad at, not just why it is popular.
Teak
Teak is a tropical hardwood that is naturally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture because of its high natural oil content — the same oils that let it go 50+ years without a sealant. It costs more than every other wood on this list, and its warm brown tone will silver to gray in full sun unless you oil it, though the silvering is cosmetic and does not weaken the wood.
Cedar
Cedar is a softwood with a reddish heartwood that is naturally resistant to rot and insects, and it is lightweight enough to move furniture around a patio without help. Its rot-resistant oils are concentrated in the heartwood, so a board with more sapwood will decay faster — and without yearly sealing, expect 10–15 years outdoors rather than teak’s decades. See our deep dive on whether cedar rots for what actually causes that decline.
Acacia
Acacia is a dense, affordable hardwood with a high natural oil content that resists moisture and rotting, and its warm grain pattern looks similar to teak at a fraction of the price. The tradeoff is maintenance: acacia needs periodic resealing to prevent cracking, and skipping that step is the most common reason acacia furniture fails early. Our full acacia care guide covers the exact schedule.
Shorea and Eucalyptus: Teak Alternatives
Shorea is a dense tropical hardwood sold as a lower-cost teak alternative. It can last up to 50 years, but unlike teak it needs oiling every 6–12 months to hold its color — teak’s higher natural oil content is what lets it skip that step. Eucalyptus is the most affordable of the durable hardwoods covered here, but without a sealant reapplied every 6–12 months it is more prone to cracking in freeze-thaw climates than teak or shorea, so it suits mild-winter regions best.
Teak vs Cedar: Which Should You Choose?
Choose teak if you want furniture that survives decades with little maintenance and the higher upfront cost does not matter. Choose cedar if you are working with a tighter budget and do not mind resealing every year — cedar costs a fraction of teak’s roughly $20-per-board-foot price, but its rot-resistant oils fade several times faster, which is why it needs that yearly attention teak can skip.
What About White Oak Instead of Teak or Cedar?
White oak splits the difference: its closed-pore heartwood is rated resistant to very resistant to decay, giving it a genuine 20+ year untreated service life above ground at roughly a fifth of teak’s cost. It needs a finish reapplied every 1–2 years — more upkeep than teak, less than cedar — which makes it the middle option when neither extreme fits your budget or maintenance tolerance.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Wood
Three factors decide whether a wood species is worth using outdoors: durability, weather resistance, and how much maintenance you are willing to do. The comparison table above already covers the numbers — here is what each factor actually means for your buying decision.
Durability
Durability comes from a wood’s natural oil content and grain density, not just its hardness rating — a species can be soft (like cedar) and still resist rot for over a decade because of its oils, while a much harder wood with no natural oil content will decay faster in ground contact.
Weather Resistance
Rain, sun, and freeze-thaw cycles each stress wood differently: rain and humidity drive rot, UV exposure fades color and dries out surface oils, and repeated freezing and thawing is what actually causes cracking in less-durable species like eucalyptus.
Maintenance
If you want furniture you can ignore for years, budget for teak. If you are fine with an annual cleaning-and-sealing routine in exchange for a lower purchase price, cedar, acacia, or eucalyptus all work — the maintenance schedule in the next section applies to all of them.
How to Maintain Wood Patio Furniture
Every species except teak needs a version of this same three-step routine on the reseal schedule from the comparison table above. Our guide to washing outdoor furniture covers cleaning products for the first step in more depth.
- Clean: Remove cushions and accessories, then scrub the surface with a mild soap-and-water solution and a soft-bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly and let the wood dry completely before sealing.
- Seal: Apply an oil-based wood sealer with a brush or cloth, working it into end grain and joints where moisture penetrates fastest. Reseal every 6–12 months for cedar, acacia, shorea, or eucalyptus; every 1–2 years for white oak; and only as needed for teak.
- Store: During the off-season, move furniture into a dry, covered space like a shed or garage, or use a weatherproof cover to block rain, snow, and UV exposure.
See our guide to choosing a wood sealer for how to pick a product for your specific species and climate.
DIY Tips for Refurbishing Wood Furniture
Grayed or weathered wood furniture can usually be restored rather than replaced, in three passes: sanding, staining, and sealing.
- Sand: Start with 80-grit sandpaper along the wood grain to strip old finish and grey surface fibers, then switch to 120-grit to smooth the surface. Wear a dust mask — this step throws a lot of fine dust.
- Stain: Apply a wood conditioner first so the stain absorbs evenly, especially on porous woods like pine, then brush on thin coats of stain in the direction of the grain, wiping off excess between coats.
- Seal: Finish with a clear, waterproof, oil-based sealant, paying extra attention to joints and end grain where moisture gets in first.
Our wood furniture restorer guide covers product picks for this process in more depth.
Budget-Friendly Wood Alternatives
If teak, shorea, or white oak are outside your budget, pine and standard oak are the two most common lower-cost substitutes — both require more upkeep than the species above, but neither is a bad choice if you are willing to maintain it.
Pine
- Lightweight, so furniture is easy to move and rearrange.
- Not naturally rot-resistant — needs pressure treatment or a protective finish to hold up outdoors.
- Takes stain and paint well, so it is easy to customize.
Oak
- Hard and strong enough for heavy daily use.
- Needs a protective finish to resist moisture — untreated red oak in particular is porous and absorbs water.
- Costs roughly a fifth of what teak does, per board foot.
Bamboo: A Fast-Growing, Eco-Friendly Option
Bamboo is technically a grass, not a wood, but it is sold and used the same way for patio furniture. It reaches harvestable maturity in just 3–5 years — far faster than any hardwood on this list — and its natural resistance to pests holds up reasonably well outdoors, though it still benefits from the same sealing routine as cedar or acacia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wood for Patio Furniture
What are the best types of wood for patio furniture?
Teak, shorea, and white oak are the best choices for durability, lasting 20–50+ years outdoors thanks to natural rot resistance. Cedar and acacia are common, more affordable alternatives that trade some lifespan for a lower price.
What makes teak a great choice for patio furniture?
Teak’s high natural oil content makes it exceptionally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture without any sealant at all, and it can last 50 years or more outdoors. That same oil content is why it costs more than any other wood on this list.
Is cedar a good option for patio furniture?
Yes — cedar is naturally resistant to decay and insects and is lightweight enough to move easily, but its rot-resistant oils fade faster than teak’s, so expect 10–15 years outdoors and plan on yearly sealing to get there.
Why is acacia wood a recommended option for patio furniture?
Acacia is favored for its durability, natural moisture resistance, and striking grain, all at a fraction of teak’s cost. It is a popular alternative for buyers who want a hardwood look without the premium price, as long as they keep up with periodic resealing.
Is shorea as good as teak for outdoor furniture?
Shorea comes close — it can last up to 50 years and costs less than teak — but it needs oiling every 6–12 months to prevent graying, while teak’s natural oils let it go without maintenance for years at a time.
How often should you seal wood patio furniture?
Most species — cedar, acacia, shorea, and eucalyptus — need resealing every 6–12 months. White oak can stretch to every 1–2 years with a good finish, and teak generally does not need sealing at all unless you want to keep its original color instead of letting it silver naturally.
What is the cheapest wood that still holds up outdoors?
White oak offers the best durability-per-dollar, at roughly a fifth of teak’s price with a genuine 20+ year untreated service life. Pressure-treated pine costs even less upfront but needs more frequent maintenance and generally has a shorter usable lifespan outdoors.
Conclusion
Teak is worth the higher cost if you want patio furniture that survives decades with almost no upkeep. Shorea and white oak get you most of that durability for less money as long as you keep up with resealing, and cedar, acacia, and eucalyptus all work well on tighter budgets when you commit to a yearly maintenance routine.
Whichever species you choose, see our complete types of wood guide for how these species compare outside of outdoor furniture use, and our guide to wood for high-moisture areas if you are also choosing wood for a bathroom, deck, or other wet location.
