Stack of various outdoor wood types including cedar, redwood, and teak arranged in a rustic garden workspace

13 Best Woods for Outdoors (Durable & Weather-Resistant Options for DIYers)

Choosing the right wood is one of the most important decisions for any outdoor woodworking project. Whether you're building a planter box, picnic table, or doghouse, using weather-resistant wood ensures your project lasts for years, not just one season.

In this post, we’ll break down the 13 best outdoor woods, ranked for durability, workability, and availability in the U.S.

Side-by-side comparison of the best woods for outdoor projects showing grain and color differences between cedar, pine, teak, and pressure-treated lumber

🪵 Why Wood Type Matters for Outdoor Projects

Outdoor wood is exposed to moisture, sun, and seasonal changes. Using the wrong type of lumber can lead to warping, rotting, or insect damage.

That’s why I recommend selecting wood that is:

- Naturally weather-resistant

- Easy to work with (cut, screw, finish)

- Readily available at most U.S. hardware stores

✅ 13 Best Woods for Outdoor Use

1. Cedar

Lightweight, naturally rot-resistant, and smells great. Perfect for planter boxes and doghouses. Easy to stain or leave natural.

2. Redwood

Naturally durable and insect-resistant. More expensive than cedar but great for furniture and fencing.

3. Teak

One of the most weatherproof woods in the world. Great for high-end outdoor furniture — but pricey and harder to find.

4. Cypress

Resistant to water and insects. Easy to work with and ages beautifully outdoors.

5. White Oak

Dense and strong. Naturally water-resistant, but best if sealed. Great for tables, benches, and raised beds.

6. Ipe (Brazilian Walnut)

Super durable hardwood — virtually immune to rot. Very heavy and tough to work with, but lasts decades.

7. Douglas Fir

Affordable and strong. Not naturally rot-resistant, but widely available and great if you plan to seal or paint it.

8. Pressure-Treated Pine

Budget-friendly and treated to resist decay. Best for structural parts or ground contact (not ideal for surfaces you touch).

9. Thermally Modified Wood

Modified with heat instead of chemicals — naturally resistant and stable. Becoming popular for decks and siding.

10. Mahogany

Beautiful grain and good outdoor durability. More expensive and less available, but a classic for furniture.

11. Black Locust

Native and sustainable alternative to tropical hardwoods. Extremely hard and rot-resistant.

12. Larch (Tamarack)

Often used in Europe for outdoor structures. Naturally durable and great for fencing or planters.

13. Polywood (Synthetic Option)

Recycled plastic lumber with a wood-like look. Zero maintenance and perfect for planters, benches, or chairs.

🔧 Which Wood Should You Choose?

It depends on:

- Your budget

- How much exposure to rain and sun

- Whether you’ll seal, paint, or leave it natural

- Your tools (hardwoods like Ipe are tougher to work with)

For my own projects , like the ones in the WoodPlanShop I often use:

- Cedar for planter boxes

- 2x6 pressure-treated pine for picnic tables

- Plywood or polywood for doghouse panels

🧰 Ready to Build?

Choosing the right wood is just step one — if you're ready to build, check out my beginner-friendly woodworking plans for:

Adirondack Chairs

Picnic Tables

Raised Planter Boxes

Doghouses

All my plans come with cut lists, diagrams, and shopping guides , designed to help you build confidently with the right materials.

📦 Bonus Tip: Seal It!

Even weather-resistant wood lasts longer when sealed. I recommend using an outdoor wood stain or sealer to protect color and prevent moisture damage.

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