Wood is a material that is very commonly used in the garden. It is used to create elements of small garden architecture - fences, gates, grilles, trellises, pergolas.Wood in the gardenis also wooden furniture and wooden surfaces and terraces. However, before we decide to use wooden elements in the garden, it is worth learning as much as possible about it. There are different types of wood, and you need to choose the most appropriate one for a given application and know how to ensure its durability for many years.
Wood in the garden is primarily wooden garden furniture
The natural color of wood goes well with the greenery of plants. Properly usedwood in the gardencan correspond to almost any style in which a garden is arranged. Unlike concrete and stone, wood in the garden also provides warmth (you can walk on it barefoot). It is a material of natural origin and beautiful at the same time. It looks very good in combination with other materials used in garden arrangements, such as stone or metal.
Wood in the gardenis perfect for building fences and all kinds of structures, such as arches, grates, trellises, garden pergolas and arbors. It is therefore not surprising that in almost every garden you can findsmall wooden architectureYou can also use wooden elements to create interesting surfaces in the garden. For example, an old tree cut down can be cut into round slices and then made into a path.
Wood in the garden is also suitablefor building landings and decking terraces.However, it must be remembered that the boards must always be isolated from the damp substrate by laying them on the joists. To make the surface less slippery, it is worth choosing grooved boards for the terrace.
However, we must remember thatwood in the gardenalso has its drawbacks. First of all, it is limited durability. Under the influence of weather conditions, such as rain, snow, sun rays, fluctuating temperature, it may crack, warp and discolor. Such damage is prevented through proper maintenance.
Wood in the garden is also small garden architecture - rebate edges, fences, grilles and pergolas, as well as garden gazebos
Native wood
Of our native and most resistant speciesof wood in the garden , oak is most often used, as well as larch, which is however less often available for sale. These two species practically do not require impregnation.They are also a good material for the construction of garden bridges, because they have hard wood. Wood robinia and ash species are also suitable for creatingsmall wooden architecture in the garden . Due to its low price, pine is often used in gardens, which is also much softer than the earlier species. Pine wood has a porous structure, so it absorbs water and becomes less resistant to weather conditions. It is then susceptible to the ingress of fungi and pests, and also swells and cracks. Therefore, it is necessary to apply an impregnation first. A good way is to buy boards that are already pressure-impregnated by the manufacturer. This is the most convenient solution. Additionally, we can cover the surface with linseed varnish or wood impregnation (colorless or colored). Pine is not very resistant to mechanical damage, which often causes dents and deformations.
Less durable species such as pine and spruce should be impregnated twice a season. Usually, this procedure is performed in spring and autumn. This will significantly extend the durability of the wood.
Exotic wood in the garden
Exotic wood is more durable than our native one. It has a much higher price, but it is luxury wood, ensuring a perfect appearance and maintaining utility values for years, so such an investment can pay off for us. This wood has a much more compact structure. It is highly resistant to mechanical damage such as bending and abrasion. Importantly,exotic wood in the gardendoes not require such frequent maintenance, because the oils and resins contained in it prevent moisture absorption as well as the penetration of fungi and pests. The wood may fade over time, so rub it with linseed oil or wood wax.
Exotic woodused in the garden is often Bangkirai. It is used to build platforms, terraces and furniture. Over time, the brown color fades slightly as it is washed away by the water. Merbau wood is darker than the previous one and is more resistant to deformation.It is an excellent material for the production of elements in contact with water. Therefore, it seems ideal to build bridges or footbridges from it. Lapacho is the hardest of wood but it contains lapachol which can irritate the skin. Therefore, they are only used for components that have little direct contact with the skin. Teak, in turn, is the wood most often used in the production of furniture. It is very resistant to deformation and penetration of moisture.
Wood in the garden is also an excellent material for finishing surfaces. Wooden paths, stairs, landings and terraces perfectly harmonize with gravel paths
When assemblingexotic wood in the gardenwe should only use stainless steel screws to avoid corrosion and react with the wood, creating dark spots. You should also not bring garden furniture into heated rooms because then the wood dries up excessively and may crack.
Thanks to the use ofwood in the garden , you can design and make truly unusual garden furniture and elements of small architecture, which will add charm to carved elements. You can create classic, very decorative, as well as modern, economical in form. It all depends on the nature of the garden. Thanks to wood, you can create an environment with a soul that will make our garden cozy and warm.
MSc Eng. Katarzyna Bańcerowska
