Teak or Redwood Benches

We're looking for a new bench, teak is a hardwood yet redwood is a softwood but will last longer so they say?? teak cost more than redwood but as wood go's which will be the best? the bench will live outside all the time even in winter so looking for which wood will last the longish outside please

Yes our old bench has died of rot it lasted well, so to be cut up for firewood

 

Teak every time, the rolls royce of exterior timber, but expense, beware of impersonators.

 

Assuming the redwood would be pressure treated, so yes it will last.

 

Thank you Pete

Now, I know the difference between hard and soft, but how can you tell it's an impersonator ??

 

Well, its not easy, unless you know, but if it states teak, then they would be on dodgy ground if it wasn't.
Iroko used to be classed as a teak substitute, and it is pretty good outside, but I dont think you can beat the real thing. Its got an oily texture that is grown into the wood, so its naturally rot resistant.
Was always used for ships decking.

 

Thank you Pete So I've got to look out for the words Teak substitute

 

Well no, it probably won't state teak substitute, Teak Type, maybe.
But as I say, they would be in trouble with trading standards if they stated teak and it wasn't.

I've got a feeling it will be made in places like Burma, not sure what its called these days, or Far East anyway, as they dont export it these days as timber, or at least we cant get it over here.

 

Burma is now called Myanmar.
You can find furniture made from reclaimed teak and also teak from "sustainable" plantations certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

 

OK. This has aroused my interest.

Dr. Mike respectfully asks. Please explain for all forum members. The why's and wherefores of Teak and Redwood.

I really do love trees and I have a vast library of books on trees. Please with respects explain.

 

Teak is a deciduous tropical hardwood,found in Burma, Laos and India etc, while Redwood is from a conifer from the USA/Canada. In garden furniture redwood normally refers to Western Red Cedar. Both can be sourced from more or less sustainable plantations these days.
Both are naturally resistant to rot, due to the natural oils in the wood. Teak is harder and heavier and weathers to a silvery grey, it was extensively used for boat building esp decks.

 

Just how I've always accepted it.
"Red wood",, European redwood.

"Cedar" as in cedar greenhouses etc.
Western red cedar, which incidentally isn't actually a cedar.

There is also "redwood " often used in the USA which is from the coast redwood.

Western red cedar is pretty brittle and soft.