Introduction

White cedar is a great wood for indoor and outdoor furniture, because of its natural and environmentally sound characteristics. Found in the Northeast and most known for its uses on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, white cedar is highly durable and very sturdy. This wood species is also blessed with natural preservatives that make it one of the most decay/rot resistant and insect tolerant woods available. Whether you’re looking for rustic furniture, a cozy garden furniture setting or a grouping of Adirondack chairs to enjoy with close friends and family, white cedar could be for you.

Eastern White Cedar

Eastern white cedar has been used in Canada and the United States for over 100 years. The white cedar tree grows only in the northeastern United States and in southeastern Canada and is ideally suited to both indoor and outdoor projects. The eastern white cedar is also called northern white cedar, arborvitae and swamp cedar. Because it is often harvested from second and third growth forests, using strict sustainable management practices, eastern white cedar is not only a viable alternative, but also a better selection for your next outdoor wood project. Extremely resistant to decay, eastern white cedar furniture is a beautiful wood that accepts stain treatments well, or you can allow it to naturally weather to a fine gray patina.

Cedar in General

Cedar is a dimensionally stable wood, especially when kiln-dried, meaning it lies flat and stays straight, resisting the natural tendency as with other wood species to crack, shrink or warp, providing a splinter resistant and extremely smooth finish. Cedar also takes a stain well (as we will discuss a bit later) and reveals a rich character when stained. Cedar is one of the top ten preferred species for the home woodworker, and ranks third behind oak and pine as the wood most commonly used for ready-to-finish furniture. Additionally, cedar is uncommonly smooth-surfaced when sanded, making it more comfortable for outdoor furniture than other woods.

Finishing White Cedar Furniture

White cedar is used in landscaping, fencing, shingles, decks, log homes and for outdoor furniture, where its natural oils deter pests and mold. Adding an extra layer of protection (either stains, paints or polyurethanes) to cedar is smart insurance against possible premature wear. If you want protection and prefer not to see your outdoor furniture’s grain, paints provide a layer of color that will keep the wood safely hidden from the elements.

Staining will impregnate your wooden outdoor furniture with chemicals that inhibit water, UV light and insect damage and add a layer of color to the surface of the wood. Whereas paint completely covers the wood, stains can leave the wood grain visible. Although not necessary, you may also desire to put a polyurethane finish on the furniture after it has been stained. Polyurethane behaves similarly to paint as it covers the wood. Some prefer to add this extra layer, although doing so can make reapplying a fresh coat of stain in the future more difficult.

When staining, if the outdoor furniture has been in use or outside for a period of time, it is best to lightly sand all surfaces before application using a Sand Sponge or sand paper. Try to stain the furniture when temperatures range from 50° to 85° F. Use a piece of similar wood or find an “out of the way” spot on the furniture to test the stain to ensure the wood is absorbing it to attain the desired color. Consider using a foam brush, staining the lower portions of the furniture first and working your way through the sides to the top.

Conclusion

White cedar is lightweight, very durable and extremely sturdy. The wood is prized for its ability to weather without treatment (unlike other species) and its ability to take finishes well. Because of this, northern white cedar is excellent for indoor, outdoor, and ground contact applications. With all of these benefits, it is easy to see why northern white cedar is considered the aristocrat of woods. It is a superior wood in its resistance to the elements and is considered one of the longest-lasting woods used in the lumbering industry today.

One of the most important purchases you’ll make for your outdoor rooms is your seating. We want style and comfort in our outdoor décor, and we want furniture that is durable, too. One of the most popular choices in outdoor furniture is outdoor rocking chairs. You’ll find many different styles from which to choose when selecting this most enjoyable piece of outdoor furniture.Traditional rockers are those that are synonymous with the Southern front porch. They typically have seats made of wooden slats, with tall backs, often with slats, as well. These outdoor rocking chairs work well in any décor, and can be found in wood and in man made materials that are designed to weather the elements without maintenance.

Another popular choice in outdoor rocking chairs is Adirondack style chairs. These low to the ground rockers are incredibly comfortable, and lend a casual style to your outdoor décor. In addition, since the Adirondack style is available in many other pieces, you’ll be able to match your outdoor rocking chairs perfectly with the rest of your furnishings. Adirondack style furniture is also available in many types of wood, including the ever popular cedar, as well as man made materials that can endure being out in the weather without the maintenance required by wood.

Wicker is also a popular choice in outdoor rocking chairs. Wicker can lend a tropical feel or cozy cottage feel to your outdoor areas. Like the Adirondack style, you’ll find it easy to match your wicker rocking chairs to the rest of your outdoor décor, because nearly every piece of furniture you’ll need is available in wicker. While traditional wicker is best reserved for areas that are protected from the elements, new high quality resin can duplicate the look of wicker without concern for leaving it outdoors.

Outdoor rocking chairs are a great way to provide comfort and style to any outdoor area. And, with the wide variety of choices available, you’ll be sure to find just the right ones to suit your home’s style.

You simply can’t enjoy summer without patio furniture. Where would you lounge in the sun? Where would you melt away the stress of a long day or where would you enjoy food fresh off the grill? A patio without furniture is simply useless.So why not have fun dressing up your patio in style with a few choice pieces of patio furniture perfect for lounging. Patio furniture is made from several materials including wood and resin or plastic. The most popular wood for outdoor furniture is teak because of its natural abilities to withstand the elements, but patio furniture is also made from shorea, cedar, pine, cypress, mahogany and more. Resin furniture is made to look and feel like wood and it is available in several fun colors.

To get an idea of what different types of patio furniture are available, try shopping online. You won’t have to drag yourself all over town and you can often get the best prices. So whether you want some chaise lounges or a table and chair set you’ll find what you are looking for with ease when you shop online.

One of the most popular styles of patio furniture is Adirondack. Characterized by a high slat back, sloping seat and oversized arms these chairs and other furniture have been gracing American patios for more than a century. You can find this style in chairs with ottomans, rockers, chaise lounges, benches and tables. Originally made of pine it is now available in several wood types including teak and can be painted as well. You can also get resin Adirondack furniture.

It has never been easier to design an eye-catching patio full of casual elegance. Place some chaises by the pool, a few chairs around a fire pit and maybe a bar table and a few chairs to get the party started. When the weather is warm you’ll love to fling open your doors and enjoy the extra living space your patio provides.

Whether you want to host dinner parties al fresco or just relax on your own, you won’t be able to do it without some patio furniture. So get a few comfortable chairs and a table to start and then add some other fun pieces like chaises or rockers or maybe a swing for a romantic retreat. The possibilities are endless. Whatever you see on the patio of your dreams you can find it online and have lots of outdoor fun every season.

Create your back yard retreat with some causal yet striking Adirondack chairs or the delicate elegance of a Chippendale bench. Better yet bring indoor comfort outdoors with a deep seating sofa or settee overflowing with six inch thick cushions. No matter what type of patio furniture you choose you can make it even more luxurious when you add a Sunbrella cushion. These rugged beauties are made to stand up to Mother Nature and still bring a bright punch of color and style on your patio.

When your patio is filled with comfortable functional furniture it becomes a place you want to hang out in, a place you can escape to that is right outside your door. So go ahead, soak up some sun on your new patio furniture and indulge in the simple pleasures of summer.