I once had a professor in Design school who said "wood is good", and I
agree. I use it for prototypes as well as finished products.
I know of very few materials that can actually stand up to freeze/thaw
for very long periods. Even concrete will fracture, and most outdoor
statuary people recommend bringing pieces in or covering them with a tarp
for the worst part of the winter. Here in Cincinnati, Ohio we have very
extreme cycles...I have seen it 60 degrees and saturating rain one day, and
below
zero the next day. My rock retaining walls around the house do not respond
well to these conditions, and are a testament to the power of the forces of
nature. If you think about it, most of the worlds best preserved outdoor
antiquities are in places that do not experience this type of abuse.
If you are really bent on using non-tropical wood outdoors, I suggest
experimenting with the new marine grade epoxy systems...I use a resin
called "epon" by Shell Chemicals. I have not used it in an outdoor setting
as described, but I do turn vases and cups/goblets out of various woods and
use it to line the interior. Constant exposure to water then has little or
no
effect, and in fact, the epoxy resin actually migrates into the wood below
the surface and forms a polymerized "new" material. However, UV radiation
will eventually degrade the surface anyway. But you may wind up with a
piece that will last your lifetime at least...
Jim Tallman, FX Studios.
