Cedar vs Teak for Outdoor Furniture — Which Is Better?

Q: Is teak or cedar better for outdoor furniture?

Teak is more durable (25-50 yrs vs 10-20 yrs) and requires far less maintenance. Cedar costs 4-6x less and is available at any hardware store. Choose teak for longevity, cedar for budget. Both are proven outdoor furniture woods.

Direct Answer: Teak is more durable (25–50 yrs vs 10–20 yrs) and needs far less maintenance. Cedar costs 4–6x less and is at any hardware store. Choose teak for longevity. Choose cedar for budget. Both are proven outdoor furniture woods.

Cedar vs Teak — Side by Side

Factor	Western Red Cedar	Teak
Outdoor lifespan	10–20 years	25–50 years
Natural rot resistance	Good	Exceptional
Water resistance	Moderate	Exceptional
Maintenance	Annual finish required	Minimal — optional
Can be left untreated	No — deteriorates	Yes — turns silver-grey
Cost per board foot	$3–$6	$20–$40
Ease of working	Excellent — soft, easy	Moderate — dense
Availability	Any hardware store	Specialty dealers

Why Teak Wins on Durability

Teak contains natural silica and oils that actively repel water, resist fungal decay, and deter insects — working from inside the wood, not from a surface coating. A teak bench left completely untreated for 20 years turns silver-grey but stays structurally sound. The same cedar bench without maintenance would be checking and rotting at the joints by year 5.

Why Cedar Is Worth Considering

At $3–$6 per board foot, cedar costs a fraction of teak. It is at every hardware store in standard sizes, works easily with basic tools, and has genuine natural rot resistance from its aromatic oils. Maintained with exterior oil every 1–2 years, cedar outdoor furniture is a real 15-year investment.

Maintenance Compared

	Cedar	Teak
Year 1	Apply exterior oil or stain before first outdoor season	Nothing required
Ongoing	Re-apply every 1–2 years	Optional teak oil every 1–2 years to maintain golden colour
If you skip it	Greys, checks, begins deteriorating	Turns silver-grey — still structurally sound
Best product	Cabot Australian Timber Oil	Star Brite Premium Teak Oil

Which to Choose

Choose teak if: You want to build once and walk away. Budget is not the primary constraint.

Choose cedar if: You are working to a tight budget. You are happy to oil the furniture each spring. You want materials available at any hardware store today.

For a three-way comparison including white oak: Teak vs Cedar vs White Oak — full outdoor wood durability guide.

FAQ

Is teak or cedar better for outdoor furniture?

Teak is more durable (25–50 yrs vs 10–20 yrs) and requires less maintenance. Cedar is 4–6x cheaper and available at any hardware store. Choose teak for longevity, cedar for budget.

How much cheaper is cedar than teak?

Western red cedar costs $3–$6 per board foot. Teak costs $20–$40 per board foot — 4–8x more expensive. A cedar outdoor bench might use $60–$100 in lumber; a comparable teak bench could cost $350–$600.

Can cedar outdoor furniture be left outside all year?

Cedar can stay outside year-round but needs exterior finishing — oil or stain applied annually. Without finishing it will grey, check, and deteriorate within 1–2 seasons.