Cedar Garden Furniture is one of the most versatile types of outdoor furniture. It is readily available from a variety of domestic North American sources at reasonable costs and provides some of the most valued qualities suitable for the challenges of the natural environment.
A cedar picnic table, cedar potting bench, cedar table, or cedar table and chair grouping are all popular choices in cedar. Cedar has a very high strength to weight ratio. It’s durability makes it an excellent choice for heavy daily use. Because it is lightweight, it is easily moved from one outdoor location to another. It can be used on the patio in an intimate grouping or transported to the lawn for a holiday summer gathering.
Left untreated, all species of cedar will weather to varying tones of natural silver gray over time. Western Red Cedar provides a natural reddish brown tone. Alaskan Yellow Cedar and Northern White Cedar are also excellent choices with lighter tones of yellow and pink respectively. All of these cedars are naturally resistant to rot and decay due to the natural oil content which gives off the characteristic smell of cedar we are all familiar with.
While cedar is one of the most carefree types of wood for outdoor applications, all wood, including cedar, can benefit from some protection to prolong its original natural color as well as extend the life of the piece for years of enjoyment. Cedar will accept a wide range of solid and semi transparent finishes. Most manufacturers will offer one or all of these options at the time of purchase. Depending upon the look desired, this can range from a rustic, barely noticeable protective sheen to a stain which weathers out over time to a pleasing patina. Due to the lack of pitch and resin inherent in the wood, it provides an excellent base for many types of paint as well for a more formal finish. Another reason cedar is an excellent choice for enduring outdoor applications is its natural ability to regulate the moisture content with its surroundings. This prevents excessive contracting and expanding which helps to keep warping and cracking to a minimum and also protects the glue and joints from separation. For climates with extreme temperature fluctuation or high humidity, cedar will perform exceptionally.
There are many woods used for outdoor furniture applications which have their own unique advantages, but considering the cost to value ratio, cedar garden furniture is one of the best. Given minimal care and maintenance, good quality cedar garden furniture, properly designed and fabricated, will provide decades of use and enjoyment.<