There’s a very good chance you own something made of wood that’s exposed to the weather. It might be a fence, a deck, a dock, patio furniture, wood siding, or a shed. Wood is a marvelous material. It’s favored by many because it’s easy to cut, shape, and install. Wood can also be quite affordable because it’s nothing more than a crop, just like corn or blueberries. Timber companies often plant one or two new trees for each one they harvest.
The downside of wood, when used outdoors, is that it requires maintenance. Some wood species require much more maintenance than others. Redwood and western red cedar are two species grown in the U.S. that require minimal maintenance. Both have a substantial amount of natural preservatives locked into the wood fibers. Even so, you can’t expect them to resist weathering like you would a structure made of stone or a roof covered in slate.
