Hardwood recommendation needed

[Ed Rosen]

I need a recommendation for wood to replace the broken splines/ribs on a 'market' umbrella.

The wood used in this umbrella has a v. light even color - it is not, but for purposes of comparison, visually it looks something like, a cross between hard maple and white oak - v. even color, v tight and smooth grained, almost no figure. It is a v. dense strong wood, rot resistant for exterior use.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Ed R

[Jason White]

Maybe poplar or ash? Both are fairly cheap, depending on where you live.

Jason


I need a recommendation for wood to replace the broken splines/ribs on a 'market' umbrella.

The wood used in this umbrella has a v. light even color - it is not, but for purposes of comparison, visually it looks something like, a cross between hard maple and white oak - v. even color, v tight and smooth grained, almost no figure. It is a v. dense strong wood, rot resistant for exterior use.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Ed R

[Ed Rosen]

Thanks Jason, but neither ash nor poplar is sufficiently rot resistant for this type of exterior application, and neither is a good visual match - the answer to this is (unfortunately for the wallet) not a US domestic hardwood - although in a pinch white oak heartwood could be a fallback.

[Jason White]

Sorry, didn't pay enough attention to the "exterior" part of your post.

Perhaps you could find some individual pieces of 3/4 or 5/4 ipe decking and rip it to width? It's becoming easier to find and is probably the most weather and rot resistant hardwood out there. Very dense, tough stuff -- which is why it's so popular for decking right now. No finish or sealer is needed, but you might be able to stain it to match the other wood in the umbrella.

Other choices -- maybe mahogany or teak. Both are good outside for exterior applications. Same thing, look for some deck boards at a lumberyard (go where the pro's go -- not a home center). They might even have some cheaper lengths in a scrap bin that might work for you.

Jason


Thanks Jason, but neither ash nor poplar is sufficiently rot resistant for this type of exterior application, and neither is a good visual match - the answer to this is (unfortunately for the wallet) not a US domestic hardwood - although in a pinch white oak heartwood could be a fallback.

[Rod Sheridan]

White oak, bends well also which may be helpful.......Rod.

[Ed Rosen]

Jason - Thanks, but IPE; Mahogany? a match for a tropical hardwood the color of maple/white oak, with almost no figure . . . . . . ? :rolleyes:

[Peter Quinn]

Teak? Iroko maybe. Cumaru if you like pain. IPE only if you REALLY like pain, though its hardly a light color. Perhaps spanish cedar or SA mahogany?

[Jason White]

Can you post a picture of your umbrella? Hard to make a good recommendation when we're flying blind here.

Jason


Jason - Thanks, but IPE; Mahogany? a match for a tropical hardwood the color of maple/white oak, with almost no figure . . . . . . ? :rolleyes:

[Carlos Alden]

I can't imagine what light colored wood would be good for exterior use. I would use teak or mahogany and bleach it if a light color is important. Unfinished teak will weather to a light silvery grey color much like cedar.

Carlos