WHITE oak is often suggested for outside but not RED oak.

On Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:46:56 -0400, "Colbyt"
wrote:


"Sandy K." wrote in message
ng.com...
I am currently looking at purchasing 2 Adirondack chairs - they will be
kept
outside during the year, covered during the winter. We live in NJ and
experience all 4 seasons here.

I plan to purchase natural wood - so far, I've seen the following:

Kiln dried Spruce
Kilnn dried Fir
Oak treated with linseed oil
Red Cedar
Mahogony


Pricing seems to be dependant upon which wood is used - the list is least
expensive to most. Can anyone provide me with info as to how each of
these
woods, left in their natural state (except the Oak) will do in an outside
environment?

TIA,
Sandy K.



I have no experience with Mahogany. Otherwise I think this is a classic
example of you get what you pay for.

To answer your question, the spruce and fir will rot away in a few years.
They are both soft woods and in a damp location can rot away in as little as
3 years.

The oak should last longer and the red cedar should "gray out" and last. I
would think the oak and cedar should last about the same amount of time. The
oak is a harder wood. Cedar is a softer wood. The cedar has some natural
protection. The cedar should outlast the oak but I have had oak last a long
time. To some degree the environment (shady, sunny, damp, well drained) will
be more of a factor when choosing between the oak and cedar. Damp or shady
space go with the cedar. The first rot points on either will be the legs and
the extent will be based on the environment.

I hope this helped. Please remember they are just opinions based on limited
personal experiences.


Colbyt