Technically, this is #1 Southern Yellow Pine treated with the Wolman pressure treating system. After treatment, our material is carefully dried until it has between 10 and 12% moisture content. This allows for a natural, uniform and generally problem-free weathering process. Unless it is stained, painted or otherwise finished, this furniture eventually will turn to a silver grey color.

For full exposure to the elements (decks, docks, patios, gardens, yards, etc.), this is the wood we recommend for trouble-free service.

Life expectancy:
The first swing I ever made is still in service, (after over 6 years of total neglect) many improvements in materials and workmanship have been implemented since that first one was made.

Since we dry our lumber before manufacturing it into furniture, it is not necessary to allow any weathering time prior to applying your preferred finish. Although we are currently not offering any finishes for treated pine, a wide variety are available to fit almost any locale, skill level, budget and decor. Any finish made for decks will work. These are available in a variety of colors or clear. Application can be as simple as pouring some clear deck sealer into a pump up garden sprayer and giving it a good soaking (on all surfaces). This will take only a minute or two for a thorough job on even our biggest piece!

Stains or paints can be a bit more challenging to apply, but the results can be worth the effort if the natural look does not fit well for your location, taste, or decor.

Our oak line is produced from White Oak which is beautiful, strong, durable and naturally rot resistant. White Oak has been used in outdoor applications such as fence posts, tool handles and farm equipment for centuries. Although the wood is naturally rot resistant, left neglected in the elements, it would deteriorate more quickly than the treated pine. This is why we recommend the oak line for areas that receive at least some shelter from Mother Nature's fury.

White Oak furniture is equally at home on the porch, screened porch, in the sunroom or the den. Some of our furniture made of oak is even adding accents to some living rooms (with an appropriate finish, of course).

We offer the oak line unfinished, or in two distinctly different finishes: A hand rubbed oil finish having a hint of cedar color; or a clear, natural, high gloss urethane acrylic which is what is displayed at the Welcome Centers (indoors).

The oil finish is an exterior grade manufactured by Watco. This penetrates the surface and creates a mat finish that highlights the wood grain, ultimately fading into oblivion. How long this process will take depends on local climate and its exposure to the sun. Refinishing is as simple as sanding lightly (just to knock off the high spots) and reapplying with more Watco or a similar product.

The Urethane Acrylic provides a dressier appearance. The wood is shielded from dirt and grime. This is a topical finish that is extremely hard and durable unless it is where the sun and rain can attack it. Given protection from a direct assault by the elements, this finish will last a very long time (many of the pieces in the Welcome Centers have been getting hard use (abuse) and little care for 4-5 years and still look great).

Choices available for you to apply yourself are almost countless. Paints work well as will a variety of stains used by themselves or in combination with a clear polyurethane available to fit almost any taste.

We limit our offering of finishes to keep production as simple and smooth as possible and to minimize the environmental problems caused by a myriad of remnants of colors and finishes