Would red oak be an acceptable choice of woods for making outdoor furniture? I’ve used cedar and ipewood in the past but would like the look of a project nicely finished of red oak. Any thoughts?
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Hi Applevalley:
Red Oak wouldn't be my first choice. It has a minimal ability to withstand the elements but it ultimately it won't hold up to water and UV like traditional outdoor lumber. Those that come to mind are: ipe, cedar, mahogany, redwood, and cypress.
However, I just did a search on our site and found a recent article on Red Oak vs. White Oak, which states that white oak is a better choice of the two for outdoor projects because it has some decay resistance:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/Materials/MaterialsArticle.aspx?id=29560
In any case, you'll also want to choose the right finish to extend the life of an outdoor project. Unfinished pieces turn a silvery grey. An oil finish will need to be redone ever few years, whereas an epoxy finish could last as long as 10 years. Here's an article for that finish:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=24929
Write back if you need more information.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
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