I know here at Lazy Susan we've focussed on Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture but we are most definitely not 'anti' any other materials, far from it.
Take wooden garden furniture for example, I myself have a piece of timber furniture in my garden in the form of a bench (alongside my Lazy Susan set of course), and I love it. Yes, it takes a little more TLC than the metal set, but it looks just as fabulous.
Wooden furniture can be a very sound investment when it comes to our gardens, it is so easy to repair and revive if it has been left to Mother Nature.
Timber garden furniture is now available in a wide variety of styles (often combined with other materials such as brushed steel, etc), sizes and shapes too, and while it's not a material we sell here at Lazy Susan, there's a wide selection of wooden garden furniture across UK garden centres, home improvement stores and specialist online retailers to choose from.
The key when it comes to purchasing wooden garden furniture is to know what type of wood to buy for the UK climate and to stick to a simple maintenance plan. That way you'll guarantee it can stand up to the elements, and it will last for many years to come!
Hardwood vs. softwood garden furniture
In terms of which timbers are hardwood and which is softwood, it isn’t actually determined by the hardness or softness of the wood.
The soft and super lightweight balsa wood that we all know from children’s model aeroplanes is in fact technically a hardwood, despite it being so soft that you can easily dent it with a fingernail.
The difference between the two is actually a scientific one, and it basically depends on the type of tree the wood comes from.
In general terms, a deciduous tree - a species that will lose its leaves in autumn - will produce hardwoods. Oak, Elm, Mahogany and Teak are all good examples of hardwoods that are used to construct garden furniture. They tend to grow much slower compared to softwoods such as Pine, Fir, Redwood, Larch and Cedar, which are cut from a coniferous or evergreen tree.
But there is more to it than it just being a case of hardwood versus softwood. The particular wood itself is what really matters. You can get good Teak for example, which is what we (and many other people) would consider the Bentley of garden furniture, but you can also get bad Teak.
Teak is a hardwood that many of the leading timber garden furniture companies select because, while it is very hard, the good stuff should also have a very close grain.
It is important you look at this when buying teak garden furniture. It is not a cheap material. However, a close grain will ensure the furniture lasts for many years to come. It makes it naturally more resistant to the elements, rot, and insects due to the high level of natural oils.
If it has to be timber (and we are not gonna try and talk you out of it), then the first thing you need to do is to find a reputable retailer that has a wide variety of wooden garden furniture available.
That way you know you're buying from a specialist timber garden furniture company and not somebody who's just stocked a few pieces of wooden garden furniture on the off chance they sell a bit.
Durability and sustainability are the keys to good quality wooden garden furniture
You also need to establish that the furniture they're selling is constructed from durable and sustainable timber.
These two words are the stamp of approval if you will. And we're afraid this isn't always the cheapest option, you generally tend to find that the more durable timber pieces from sustainable sources are the more expensive.
Much of the low-cost wooden garden furniture sold in the UK is constructed from Iroko, which is also classified as tropical hardwood.
However, we have to be brutally honest, it is utter rubbish, just like pine. It will not stand up to the weather we have here in the UK. It will weather quickly, is easily damaged and you'll find it needs a new coat of stain every year.
It is important with any type of garden furniture, be it wood or cast aluminium, that you take your time, do your research, and this way you'll ensure that you're making a purchase that will last for many years.
Garden furniture is not cheap, so you want that investment to last more than a few years!
In Lazy Susan's humble opinion, the best type of timber for garden furniture for UK gardens is made from hardwoods, and this is because it can easily withstand the higher levels of moisture we get here.
And let's face it, after the summer we've had so far, we get more than our fair share of all-year-round rain.
Wooden garden furniture has to be robust and able to withstand a lot of moisture. It is generally purchased to sit outside and stay there, unlike our Aluminium pieces which are significantly lighter, and therefore easier to pick up and move inside or to different parts of the garden.
Hardwoods have the ability to stand up to all the rain and the occasional burst of sunshine we see in the UK, so they're the better investment.
Look for hardwoods that are seasoned and tempered
A good quality hardwood will not warp and you need to look for timbers that are both seasoned and tempered.
Even if you do not have a cover or shed in which to store your wooden garden furniture, if it is quality hardwood then it will survive for many a year.
And just as important as the timber, look at the hardware that is used to hold it all together. Ideally, you want galvanised or stainless steel nuts and bolts etc as they'll offer the best protection from rust and corrosion.
We always tell people, no matter what they're buying, be it a new car or wooden garden furniture, to look for retailers that place a high emphasis on customer satisfaction.
You want to buy from a retailer that will bend over backwards to help you make the right purchase, offer advice, etc.
A clear returns policy is also vital, know your consumer rights, the sales policy and make sure you can inspect their products upon delivery as will help you return it or get a refund if there are any problems.
And for those of you out there that are environmentally conscious (hopefully all of us), then you want to look for retailers who have an ecological policy.
For example, I know that the timber bench I recently purchased for my own garden was from a UK-based company that requires that all the timber they use for their garden furniture is sourced from countries with a sustainable ecological policy.
Take good care of your wooden garden furniture
We would always recommend that you treat your wooden garden furniture with a lick of paint or sealer each Spring in order to keep the wood looking good and protected from the sun and rain. This also stops splinters from appearing as it helps the wood stay supple.
Ideally, any type of garden furniture should be kept inside during the winter and the same goes for timber. If this simply isn't feasible, then invest in some protective waterproof patio furniture covers and this will protect it when the temperature drops and we potentially see some snow.
When it comes to using your wooden furniture, make sure you purchase good quality cushions too as they make a big difference to the look and comfort of the seating.
Wooden chairs can be a little hard for prolonged sitting and they also tend to stay damp a little longer than other materials. If you want to do a little al fresco dining, but there was a shower earlier in the day, then using good-quality cushions means you can still use the seats.
You can spend a lot of money on wooden garden furniture, however, if you don’t take the time and look after the furniture, it will end up looking weathered and worn out, especially with the erratic UK climate.
Hardwood by its very nature is a very durable timber and while it requires a little less maintenance than softwoods, it will over time weather to a silvery/grey colour.
Some people love this look, but if you want to keep the original look, then you should apply some protective oil on the day of purchase before any rain or moisture gets a chance to make contact with your new furniture.
Some of the better wooden garden furniture retailers will even ensure this is done for you prior to delivery, so make sure you ask the question.
Clean and maintain your new wooden garden furniture
Every couple of months or so, it helps if you give your wooden furniture a quick wash down too.
All you need is a little washing-up liquid, warm water and a soft bristle brush. You can use a hose on spray to rinse, but never use a pressure washer as they can strip the timber.
Once cleaned allow the furniture to dry properly, this will take time, so any cleaning is best done on a bright sunny day.
Hardwood garden furniture is naturally very durable so it does not need a regular application of preservatives like softwood, however, as I said before if you want to keep its original appearance, then simply apply a little oil or a water-based wood stain to help moisture and dirt bead and run off.