Which wood for garden furniture?

Which wood is best for garden furniture depends on the wood type, climate and use. Solid wood garden furniture lasts for many years with the right care. This comparison sets five common wood types side by side: Western Red Cedar, teak, acacia, eucalyptus and pine.

The five wood types at a glance

Western Red Cedar (North America): soft, light, naturally resinous, resistant to fungi and insects. Warm reddish-brown, greys to a silver-grey patina. 15-25 years. Optional annual oiling. Renewable, Ontario Wood.

Teak (tropical Southeast Asia): very hard, heavy, rich in oil, 30+ years. Hardly any care needed. Sustainability problematic, long transport routes.

Acacia/Robinia: hard, heavy, weather-resistant, 15-20 years. Oil regularly. Fast-growing.

Eucalyptus: hard, heavy, 10-15 years, oil regularly. Fast-growing, but monoculture concerns.

Pine/Northern White Pine: soft, light, takes paint well, 10-15 years untreated, longer with a stain. Fast-growing.

Comparison table

Property	Cedar	Teak	Acacia	Eucalyptus	Pine
Weather resistance	high	very high	high	medium	low
Care effort	very low	low	medium	high	high
Weight	light	heavy	heavy	heavy	light
Lifespan	15-25 years	25-30 years	15-20 years	10-15 years	10-15 years
Sustainability	very good (Ontario)	problematic	good	medium	good

Which wood suits which need?

• Low maintenance and North American wood: Western Red Cedar
• Longest lifespan: teak, ideally from a certified plantation
• Weight and hardwood look on a limited budget: Acacia
• Colour and creative design: Pine

Why Bear Chair chooses Western Red Cedar

Cedar is naturally weatherproof, without chemical impregnation. The wood comes from Ontario, the region where The Bear Chair Company has been producing since 1987. More in the Western Red Cedar guide. Bear Chair also offers some models in pine, a paintable option.

Frequently asked questions about the wood comparison

Which wood is best for garden furniture?

There is no single best wood; the choice depends on your priorities. For low maintenance and sustainability: Western Red Cedar. For maximum lifespan: teak from a certified plantation. For an affordable entry point: pine.

Is cedar better than teak?

Cedar is lighter, more sustainable and of North American origin. Teak lasts longer and is harder, but often has problematic supply chains.

Does cedar cope with the Swiss climate?

Yes. Western Red Cedar handles frost, snow and wet winters without difficulty.

Which garden furniture wood is the most sustainable?

Cedar from Ontario forestry and pine from North America or Europe are the most sustainable solid wood options. Teak only from certified plantations.

Do I always have to oil wooden garden furniture?

No. Cedar and teak are naturally weatherproof. For acacia and eucalyptus, regular oiling is recommended; pine usually needs a stain.

Are Bear Chair products FSC-certified?

The manufacturer, The Bear Chair Company, currently no longer holds FSC certification (as of 2025). The wood remains Western Red Cedar and Northern White Pine from Ontario forestry. For sustainability questions, feel free to reach us via our contact page.

Which wood turns grey the fastest?

All woods grey under UV light. Cedar and teak develop a particularly even silver-grey patina.

Discover the Bear Chair range

Bear Chairs in Western Red Cedar, the Adirondack Bear Chair Pine or more about the wood itself.