Douglas Fir. It's readily available, lasts about as long as cedar, but is much less expensive, and it's a denser wood - so there's less wood shrinkage and expansion, resulting in longer lasting wood joints.
Are you interested in building outdoor furniture? But not sure what wood species to choose?
Over the twenty years I've been building furniture, I've concluded the best wood type to build outdoor furniture with is Douglas Fir. I have a pair of outdoor chairs on my deck that just last and last, with no rotting, peeling, or loose joints - thanks to Douglas Fir.
Why I Build Outdoor Furniture with Douglas Fir
- Available off the shelf at most home improvement stores
- Reasonably priced for affordable furniture projects, especially compared to cedar
- Standard dimensional lumber sizes
- Holds up to weather about the same as cedar (10-20 years depending on climate and maintenance)
- Denser than cedar, so the wood doesn't shrink and expand as much (causing screws or nails to push out)
- Easy to paint and stain up
How to find Douglas Fir at the Home Improvement Stores
Douglas fir is usually a red toned and comes off the shelf in 2x2, 2x4 or 2x6 board. It will feel dry and dense.