Exotic Woods for Outdoor Living
Exterior showers are also fashionable. "In addition to being very practical, many outdoor showers are beautiful, sculpted works of art," Coyne says. "There is truly something magical about singing in the shower alfresco accompanied by a chorale of birds and the echoing strains of Mother Nature."
Outdoor features such as pergolas, gazebos, gates, enclosures and open-air showers often incorporate traditional exotic woods, such as teak, mahogany, sapele or ipe. "These woods are hard, stable and durable," says Coyne.
Teak is well known for its strength and resistance to water, insects and rot along with its rich golden brown color and lush texture. Teak's high oil content, high tensile strength and tight grain makes it particularly suitable for outdoor applications. It is easily worked, an important consideration for pergolas, arbors and decorative gates, which can be very ornate. Teak can however, cause severe blunting on edged tools because of the presence of silica in the wood.
Mahogany has long been prized for its straight, fine, even grain and lustrous reddish brown hue. Mahogany is relatively free of voids and pockets, has excellent workability and is extremely durable. Genuine mahogany is costly and is becoming difficult to obtain. However, more designers, architects and landscape architects who specify materials for outdoor applications are turning to other lesser known, but equally stable exotic species.
One exotic gaining favor is Cedrela, a member of the mahogany family. Cedrela is commonly known as "Spanish cedar," (although it is neither Spanish nor a cedar). This fragrant wood with good resistance to wood-boring insects and rot is traditionally used to make cigar boxes and for paneling, veneer and general outdoor and construction work.
Cedrela is a relatively uniform light rose to reddish brown-toned wood that darkens with age. It has a straight or shallowly interlocked grain, medium texture and moderate natural luster. Random pockets of gum and natural oils are often present. Spanish cedar works easily, but due to its low density and softness, it tends to leave hazy surfaces and must be machined with sharp cutters. Extra sanding with extremely fine grits may be required to obtain a smooth surface. Older slower-growing cedrela trees tend to produce wood that is more durable than wood from younger plantation-grown trees.
"Nootka Cypress, often called Alaskan yellow cedar is an up-and-comer that is frequently specified for outdoor applications," says Coyne. This beautiful pale blonde wood is native to the west coast of North America. When finished, it displays a soft golden glow. It has a straight grain and a uniform color that darkens with age and exposure to sunlight. If the wood is left untreated, it weathers to a uniform gray.
Alaskan yellow cedar is hard, durable, offers good dimensional stability and is resistant to weather, insects, and contact with soil. It works easily with hand or machine tools, resists splintering and wears smoothly over time.
Like the more familiar exotics, these lesser-known varieties of exotic and domestic woods are strong, long-wearing, stable, resistant to decay and able to withstand humidity and intense sunlight. As traditional woods become more expensive and difficult to source, these species provide an economical alternative and offer endless possibilities for creating outdoor environments that are functional, innovative, and aesthetically pleasing.
Bob Coyne, Purchasing Manager, Walpole Outdoors
bob.coyne@walpolewood.net
www.walpolewoodworkers.com
Frequently asked questions
What exotic woods are commonly used for outdoor features like pergolas and gazebos?+
Traditional exotic woods used for pergolas, gazebos, gates, enclosures and open-air showers include teak, mahogany, sapele and ipe. These woods are hard, stable and durable, making them well-suited for outdoor applications.
Why is teak ideal for outdoor applications?+
Teak has high oil content, high tensile strength and a tight grain, giving it strength and resistance to water, insects and rot. It is easily worked, which is important for ornate pergolas, arbors and decorative gates, though its silica content can cause severe blunting of edged tools.
What is Spanish cedar and what is it used for?+
Spanish cedar (Cedrela) is a fragrant member of the mahogany family, though it is neither Spanish nor a true cedar. It resists wood-boring insects and rot and is traditionally used for cigar boxes, paneling, veneer and general outdoor and construction work.
How should Spanish cedar be machined for a smooth finish?+
Because of its low density and softness, Spanish cedar tends to leave hazy surfaces and must be machined with sharp cutters. Extra sanding with extremely fine grits may be required to achieve a smooth surface.
What are the properties of Alaskan yellow cedar (Nootka Cypress) for outdoor use?+
Alaskan yellow cedar is a pale blonde wood native to the west coast of North America that is hard, durable, dimensionally stable, and resistant to weather, insects and soil contact. It works easily with hand or machine tools, resists splintering and wears smoothly over time, weathering to a uniform gray if left untreated.
Why are lesser-known exotic woods becoming popular alternatives to genuine mahogany?+
Genuine mahogany is costly and becoming difficult to obtain, leading designers, architects and landscape architects to specify other lesser-known but equally stable exotic species. These alternatives are strong, long-wearing, stable, decay-resistant and able to withstand humidity and intense sunlight while offering an economical option.