Here I share my research on outdoor signs and my results. Is the wood naturally resistant to inclement weather without additives? What would give the best look? What would last the longest?
The best wood for outdoor signs depends on your location and weather. Medium Density Overlay or MDO is the best solution for North Eastern United States. It allows for different applications such as color and can withstand the elements if properly sealed and cured.
*This post is about the best wood for outdoor signs and all the options to consider
What Are The Different Options For Outdoor Sign Wood?
There are many options of wood for outdoor signs. It greatly depends on where you are located. However, during my research, I surprisingly found many options which made it a little difficult to decide.
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Treated pine is typically the choice for outdoor projects and signs. However, it doesn’t hold up to inclement weather as well as a naturally resistant wood choice. What other choices are there?
Getting Into The Details – Outdoor Wood
Being analytical in my thoughts I thought a lot about what was the best way to describe to you the considerations for wood you have when you are looking at your outdoor wood sign.
I decided to put together a chart from my research below to show many things which may make sense before you look to invest your money.
| Wood | Rot | Finished Look | Use | Cracking | Warping | Availability |
| MDO | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Redwood | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Cedar | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
1 – Excellent 2 – Good 3 – Fair 4 – Poor
The chart above depicts the rating of wood availability, warping, cracking, and use. These are important factors when considering wood for an outdoor sign. There are other considerations for wood for outdoor use.
Details of Outdoor Wood Options
Medium Density Overlay (MDO)
Medium Density Overlay or MDO – MDO is layered plywood with an element (Weather) resistant resin on the outside to protect it. MDO is typically utilized for outdoor traffic signs in lieu of aluminum for more colorful applications providing a better eye-catching outdoor wood sign.
Rot – MDO is especially resistant to rot due to its high-quality fiber with phenolic resin solids. MDO is also waterproof and water-resistant which makes it an excellent product for outdoor wood signs.
It is typically used for outdoor wood signs and also used for marine applications such as flooring for pontoon boats.
Finished Look – MDO accepts primer and paints with excellent results. A variety of presentations can be created. A rustic, crackle, and modern look can be applied to this outdoor wood for a log cabin, nautical, and barn applications.
Additionally, you apply several sealers such as polyurethane, Spar Polyurethane, and custom epoxy resin with clear or color combinations.
Use – This outdoor wood is very flexible as it is very close to its cousin generic plywood. Just as you would be able to create custom edges, glue, or nail external letters and/or images cut out to the face its use is you or your customer’s imagination.
It can be drilled, sawed, routed, and shaped to your specifications for your wood signs. The uses are endless.
Cracking – With high-quality fiber with phenolic resin solids, MDO is resistant to cracking. Most generic wood sign choices such as pine will crack and present issues to the appearance or with a break in half depending on the depth of the crack and length which compromises its strength.
Warping – MDO is also resistant to warping which is a common problem with wood for outdoor signs. Due to its construction, like plywood, MDO has layers of wood laminated together which strengthens it overall.
However, once exposed to the outside elements, wood being a natural material moves, flexes, and constricts depending on the weather. With its layered construction and high-quality fiber with phenolic resin solids, it resists warping.
Availability – This wood is available through most of your local hardware stores as well as online if you choose. The price is comparable to regular plywood.
MDO comes in sheets, with different sizes and thicknesses, which gives you the flexibility to create more and space to do more.
If you would like to see what products I’m using and purchase you can see my recommended products here – “Recommended Products“
How long does MDO last in an outside application? The typical length of time is 5 to 10 years. This is providing you with a proper primer, paint, and seal of the MDO wood for the outdoor sign.
If you would like to know more about outdoor paint and painting signs you can see our post on “Paint For Outdoor Wood Signs, What Kind Do You Use?“. It goes into depth on painting choices and painting outdoor wood signs.
Redwood and Cedar
Redwood/Cedar – The more known choice is Redwood or Cedar. They provide natural resistance to inclement weather, rot, decay, and insects.
The other advantage is this species of wood resists warping and twisting making them an easy choice for your wood signs.
Rot – Redwood/Cedar is naturally immune to rot. Having a natural brownish-red hue. Redwood very tight grain pattern and is mostly free of natural knots and other flaws.
Cedar can be red, white, or yellow depending on the species. The most porous is Red cedar which has a color close to Redwood.
Redwood/Cedar has for centuries been used for outdoors wood signs and also used for exterior applications such as siding, roofing, and outdoor furniture.
Finished Look – Redwood/Cedar has a beautiful finished look that capitalizes on the red-hue color. Additionally, if you use a spar polyurethane it will bring out the red hue further giving it a beautiful finished look.
Additionally, Redwood/Cedar paint very well. And if properly done with primer and paint can last for years without a sealer.
Use – Most Redwood/Cedar can be picked without knots and imperfections if your mill is willing to work with you. This provides a clean surface for your outdoor wood sign project.
It can be drilled, sawed, routed, and shaped to your specifications for your wood signs, although if you would like a sheet for a project 36″x 36″ or bigger you may need to join the boards with wood glue or epoxy.
Cracking – Redwood/Cedar is highly resistant to cracking. However, it is known to crack if the moisture level is high in the wood. Small amounts of water can cause Redwood/Cedar to crack.
Beware of the moisture content in the wood before purchasing or starting your wood sign project.
Warping – Both of these are resistant to warping. However, if the moisture level in them is high it is important to note. Although they truly don’t warp due to grain issues, they will warp due to moisture.
Most likely due to moisture on the edge of the wood hitting the more dense interior causing them to crack or what looks to be warping.
Availability – Both of them are readily available and most likely without knots or imperfections. If you are looking for a small or one-time wood sign your local hardware store will suffice.
However, if your wood signs are more of a product line or customized more often you may look for a local mill or source from an internet search.
There are many sources you can get specific species of Cedar and also Redwood for your outdoor wood sign.
How long does MDO last in an outside application? In comparison Redwood is denser than cedar, approximately 23% on average, however, the fact that it is denser doesn’t mean it will last longer for your outdoor wood sign.
Cedar will also last quite a while as well. For both of them, 10 years is the most common answer given. However, it depends on your paint, possible sealer, maintenance of the outdoor wood sign, and weather at your location.
Considerations For Outdoor Sign Wood
Considerations for your wood sign and the wood you would use are as follows.
- Will the wood sign contact the ground – If your wood sign will be in contact with the ground you may consider treating your wood sign with a treatment such as Rust-Oleum Wolman.
This treatment protects the wood with EPA-registered protection which protects against rot, decay, and insects. - Do I put a sealer on – There are many sealer applications on the market today to protect your wood sign. Consideration should be given to the appearance as well as the maintenance you will need to do in the coming years.
Do you have color on your wood sign? Do you have a stain on your wood sign?
- Generic Polyurethane – Generally protects your wood sign from UV and weather. Needs an application approximately twice a year depending on your location and whether or not in direct sign light or rain
- Varnish – Excellent sealer over stained wood signs. However, still needs maintenance approximately twice a year depending on your location and whether or not in direct sign light or rain
- Resin – Epoxy Resign is the best choice for completely sealing your wood sign for outdoor use. The resin combined with a hardener creates a shield from weather, UV, and insects.
- Generic Polyurethane – Generally protects your wood sign from UV and weather. Needs an application approximately twice a year depending on your location and whether or not in direct sign light or rain
All of the wood options spoken here are great options for wood for your outdoor sign. It really depends on your project, appearance, location, and how you finish the outdoor wood sign.
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