If you are interested in using eucalyptus wood for your next woodworking project or bought some eucalyptus outdoor furniture, you may wonder how long it will last. Here’s the truth about how long eucalyptus wood will last.
Eucalyptus is a tough and durable hardwood with oils that make it rot and insect resistant. You can expect well-maintained eucalyptus outdoor furniture to last 25 years or more. It will last longer in applications that are less exposed to the elements, such as cabinetry and flooring.
There’s quite a bit to know about how long eucalyptus wood will last and various ways that you can extend its lifespan. We describe how to get the most prolonged use out of eucalyptus wood.
The Lifespan Of Eucalyptus Wood
Eucalyptus is a genus of trees native to Australia, but nowadays, you can find some species in many subtropical locations worldwide.
Eucalyptus grandis, the blue gum, was brought by Australian immigrants to California in the 1850s and quickly became established across large tracts of the California landscape.
Eucalyptus, or ‘lyptus,’ as many woodworkers commonly call it, is a dense hardwood with tight grain and few knots. It has an attractive reddish-pink color that weathers to a silvery-gray on exposure to the elements.
It is farmed on many plantations and fast-growing wood, making it an eco-friendly option. Woodworkers use it in applications requiring strength and resiliency, such as flooring and doors, and cabinets and interior trim work.
Many people regard it as an excellent wood for outdoor furniture. It is nearly as durable as teak and is considerably cheaper.
Eucalyptus is similar in color and density to teak and has a similar straight, tight grain, but its mineral content is lower. It is more prone to warping and splitting, consequently less durable.
The natural oils in eucalyptus help to repel insects and water. As a result, it is highly rot-resistant and will only decay very slowly.
Although eucalyptus is insect-resistant and some claim termites won’t eat it, you should probably not leave eucalyptus furniture where termites can get at it, as termites eat eucalyptus trees in Australia.
Eucalyptus weathers to a silvery-gray finish, but treating it with outdoor hardwood or teak oil or natural linseed oil will help to preserve the pinkish-brown color.
If you look after your eucalyptus outdoor furniture properly, which involves sealing it with a water-based seal or oiling it to lock in the wood’s natural oils, you should expect it to last for 25 years on average.
Maintenance And Care Of Eucalyptus Wood
There are various ways to look after eucalyptus wood and prolong its lifespan. The best way to treat eucalyptus varies depending on the specific application you are using it. We’ll tell you how to get the most out of your eucalyptus wood!
How To Finish Eucalyptus Wood For Exterior Applications
When finishing eucalyptus wood for exterior items such as doors and outdoor furniture, use penetrating oil to seal in its natural oils and protect it.
Using a soft cloth, wipe down the eucalyptus with liberal quantities of linseed oil, Danish oil, or tung oil and let it remain on the surface of the wood awhile before wiping it off with a clean rag.
Renew the oil treatment once a week for a couple of weeks and then once monthly for three months. After that, renew the oil coat once every six months to keep the wood protected against moisture.
Maintenance Of Outdoor Furniture Made Of Eucalyptus Wood
Finish outdoor furniture with penetrating oil as described above.
Once a year, lightly sand the surface of eucalyptus outdoor furniture to remove the fuzziness caused by exposure to rain and snow and to remove any splinters. Be careful not to sand through the weathered silvered patina on the surface to expose the reddish wood below.
Every six months, renew the coating of penetrating oil as described above. Woods designed for teak are also suitable for use on eucalyptus. An alternative to using oil is to use a water-based acrylic sealant. Renew the sealant annually.
For added protection, use rubber feet on the legs of your outdoor furniture to protect it against water on the ground. In harsher climate zones, use furniture covers during winter to protect your furniture against the elements (or store it undercover).
How To Finish Eucalyptus Wood Flooring
Eucalyptus’s straight grain, strength, and stability make it suitable for flooring, and carpenters often use it for tongue-and-groove flooring.
The best finish for eucalyptus wood flooring is water-based urethane. Urethane contains resins, liquid plastics, and solvents. Still, unlike polyurethanes or varnishes, it will not change color as it ages to preserve the original reddish color of your eucalyptus flooring.
We recommend using a water-based formulation, as it is easier to clean up than an oil-based one and is less toxic. It also dries in around three hours as opposed to eight.
How To Finish Eucalyptus Wood For Interior Uses
Woodworkers also use eucalyptus for interior cabinetry, trim, and woodworking.
For such applications, we recommend that you use lacquer to finish. It is thinner than products such as polyurethane or varnish, penetrating deeper into the pores of eucalyptus to give it a permanent seal. It dries fast and resists blushing and runs.
Sources Of Eucalyptus Wood
Eucalyptus wood gives the look and a lot of the durability of teak at approximately one-third of its cost. It grows extremely rapidly, making it a sustainable resource. In addition to wild forests, eucalyptus is grown on responsibly-managed plantations to meet consumer demand.
When purchasing eucalyptus wood furniture, look for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) seal. This body helps to protect forests by setting standards for responsible, sustainable forestry.
If you see furniture marked with the FSC seal, you can rest assured that the plantation met the council’s standards for eco-friendly forestry.
Conclusion
Eucalyptus is a natural insect- and rot-resistant hardwood that offers the look of teak at a fraction of its price. If you look after it properly, you can expect outdoor furniture made from this wood to last for around 25 years.
For interior applications, it could last considerably longer if you finish it properly and look after it.
References
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/properties-eucalyptus-wood-99430.html
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/recommended-finish-eucalyptus-wood-99594.html
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-choose-outdoor-wood-furniture-1391748
https://www.hunker.com/12230711/teak-vs-eucalyptus-furniture