Category Archives: Cedar Furniture Reviews

High quality wooden for outdoor furnishings made of Teak

Posted by on April 18, 2012 No comments

Teak WoodDo you want advanced out of doors seating that can be simply saved away when it is not in use? Are you exhausted of only obtaining shower chairs that are missing when it happens to fashion and the high quality of materials employed? Do you cringe each and every time you consider of bringing out people previous metallic shower chairs for company to sit on? If so, you could find exactly what you are searching for in a teak chair.

Teak shower seat chairs are really sought soon after by consumers simply because of their elegance, toughness and relieve of storage. Created with the best wood that is usually named the quality wooden for outdoor furnishings, teak shower chairs will bring sophistication, convenience and model to your next out of doors gathering.

When picking out home furniture for their out of doors spaces, a lot of men and women obtain parts manufactured with teak which is a hard sturdy resilient yellowish-brown wooden. Teak is equally resistant to the factors and involves small maintenance. Teak grows in the region of Southeast Asia, generally in Java, Indonesia, and is harvested from the encompassing forests and teak plantations by the lieu and the Indonesian federal government. The wood of the teak tree is in a natural way resistant to bugs, warping, splintering and the components, which tends to make it an excellent wooden for developing chairs.

With teak shower bench, there is no sealing, no staining, and no finishing. Left alone, a teak shower chair weathers to a beautiful silver color, but if you want to retain the prosperous, heat shade of new teak, you can do so with a seasonal program of a teak protector. Read more »

Easy Maintenance Tips for Your Cedar Furniture

Posted by on March 18, 2012 No comments

Western Red Cedar is the most desirable wood of all the woods used in outdoor furniture. It is a lightweight stable wood which lays flat and remains straight. It will not sag or bow over time and resists the natural tendency to crack. This wood remains cool to sit on even on the hottest summer days. Its fibers contain oils that act as a natural preservative to help to resist rot and decay. Cedar is also bacterial and fungal resistant.

Cedar does not require a finish to keep its structure over the years. Many people prefer to allow their cedar furniture to “age naturally” outdoors without stain or finish. Over time the color of the wood will slowly weather to a silver-grey and the grain will become slightly raised. Left this way, the wood will eventually be highlighted by dark streaks formed from the reaction between the Cedar Resin and the Zinc hardware.

Cedar Furniture

Regular cleaning to eliminate dirt and pollen several times a year is recommended. Using a little dish soap with warm water and a light scrubbing and rinsing with the garden hose is all that is needed. However, a good sealer purchased from your local hardware store will add a layer of protection without adding a finish. It will seal the woods pores against the penetration of water, and inhibits the grain from becoming raised. This will still allow the natural aging or weathering process. A sealer should be applied once a year. Be sure that the wood is completely day before applying the sealer.

Cedar furniture will become discolored when left outside especially in damp areas. Fortunately, this discoloration can be removed. A household bleach solution of 20% and one ounce of detergent for every gallon of water can be used. Leave this solution on for a short time then rinse with a garden hose. This process will return the Cedar to its original appearance. Once again, let the wood dry completely before applying a sealer or stain.

Staining can preserve the colorful tones of freshly sanded Cedar. There are a wide variety of colors to choose from. A single coat of a semi transparent stain with a UV inhibitor is recommended to preserve the handsome look of your outdoor furniture. It is best that you do not allow your cedar to weather too much before applying stain. Every third year you should reapply a coat of stain. This will refresh the finish.

Paint is really not recommended since over time the paint will begin to flake and will eventually need scraping and refinishing. This will require much more maintenance.

Stain is really your best option.

Cedar furniture that is left outdoors will last a minimum of 8 to 10 years. The same furniture covered in the winter or taken indoors to a garage or shed will last twice as long.

By following these easy maintenance tips, your Western Red Cedar furniture will last a long time. It will not only look beautiful, but it will bring you many years of enjoyment.

Easy Maintenance Tips for Your Cedar Furniture

Cedar Outdoor Furniture to Liven Up Your Backyard

Posted by on March 12, 2012 No comments

Cedar patio furniture is beautiful for just about any patio or terrace. The actual cedar tree is an extremely gorgeous wood which grows in the USA and is cut down to make household furniture. The clear grade of red cedar is regularly used to create outside patio furniture. One particular worry people have is the outside weather conditions and just how it impacts the furniture which is usually outside in the sunlight and is always exposed to rain.

North America is affected with snowfall, sleet, and hail that may be quite harmful to any piece of outdoor furniture many times of the year. The fibers in the red cedar have natural oils which are a natural preservative to aid the lumber to fight decay and rot. This makes it a very good material to build outdoor patio furniture. The first produced pieces of cedar furniture were known as the Adirondack Chairs. All over America, everyone wanted to own an Adirondack Chair. The federal government also noticed the toughness and the affordability of cedar and then made the decision to use cedar benches in all of their parks. The great depression contributed to the development of numerous benches by individuals who worked on the WPA. The WPA had been a work program developed by President Roosevelt during that time to aid individuals within this country whom had been out of work. A lot of young men proceeded to go to the wood of the Northwest during this time and cut down cedar and use it for items like recreation area benches.

Cedar Furniture

Numerous cedar chests were also made because these stored clothing perfectly and averted mildew and mold from wrecking its contents. The mariners frequently stated that cedar chests had been used on extended trips to store there personal items. Funeral directors made use of cedar and pine to construct coffins for the dearly departed. Several physicians in England had reported once they would bury individuals afflicted with the plague in the cedar coffin, it will stop the spread of the disease. Cedar is really a timber that over the hundreds of years has already established its uses for a lot of very good things.

These days many of us realize that cedar patio furniture is wonderful to a person’s outdoor patio or their own household. A gorgeous cedar deck set of patio furniture highlights virtually any person’s backyard. The rich in America back in the old days frequently requested that their outdoor patio and back garden always be decorated with cedar. Numerous add-ons made from cedar plank can be found in retailers these days. These kinds of products such as serving trays and also carts, made from cedar plank, can quickly be obtained in shops such as Target or perhaps Wal-Mart. The malls such as Sears and also JC Penny also have cedar furniture for your garden for a affordable price tag.

Cedar Outdoor Furniture to Liven Up Your Backyard

Cedar Bathroom Furniture

Posted by on March 9, 2012 No comments

The ultimate luxury in wood furniture is the cedar wood furniture. Although it is the most expensive wood yet it is so appealing and refreshing. Those looking for the luxurious can opt for the cedar furniture in the bathroom. It is a very light weight but most durable wood. Highly moisture resistant and repellent to all wood eating insects, cedar gives a class to your bathroom. It mostly comes in a creamy white color and perfectly matches to the bathroom accessories which are often manufactured in white or silvery look.

Apart from being expensive there is no drawback (if it is one) of cedar. Bathroom is a place of refreshment and getting rid of weariness. The furniture made of cedar gives a soothing and refreshing look to the bathroom. There is also another option for those who cannot afford the cedar furniture. Bathroom furniture with cedar closets is also available in the market. This is a unique idea and enables you to have the most precious wood installed in your home. Cedar furniture has now become a symbol of luxury and many top ranked hotels get cedar closets to give their guests feelings of refreshment with the refreshing aroma of cedar.

Cedar Furniture

Maintenance of the cedar wood is very simple. You only need to have cedar oil and it serves as a refresher to cedar wood. It helps the cedar wood to regain its shiny look every time it gets darker due to damp surroundings. The cedar bathroom furniture is not very common but those who have a passion for cedar can get it from the designers in a custom style.

Cedar Bathroom Furniture

Cedar Furniture

Posted by on March 7, 2012 No comments

If you have ever had the opportunity to breath in the fragrant smell of a cedar chest, you know that this wood is very aromatic. Cedar furniture has been used for centuries to build quality furniture that is weather resistant and durable making them long lasting and very desirable to many people who are seeking quality furniture. It’s also one of the most abundant woods found in the United States. This hardwood naturally produces a natural oil that keeps it from cracking, drying or fading if left unprotected. That is why it is popular for outdoor patio furniture and why you see it cedar furniture in so many gardens. Cedar furniture isn’t the only thing the wood is good fore. Many home construction companies use it for shingles and roof tiling. Unlike other wood, cedar tiles will not swell or crack.

Of course the sweet smell of cedar patio furniture is also highly appealing to many people. The scent comes from the oils the wood naturally secretes and there is no other hard wood that can produce this natural perfume, making cedar a one of a kind type of wood. Besides a great smell, cedar furniture also repels moths and insects. They do not like the scent and it is why hope chests, closets, and storage bins, making them perfect for the storage of the clothing and linens. Plus, the items will come out smelling good because the smell permeates the fabrics.

Cedar Furniture

Because cedar trees are so abundant across the United States and can grow in temperatures from -40 degrees and higher, the raw material can easily be obtained to create and construct cedar furniture. It’s also one of the easiest woods to work with and the demand for the durable cedar furniture for both indoors and out has almost exceeded the supply. Woodworkers across the United States are consistently building cedar furniture of all shapes and styles for the customers. The abundance of the raw material also helps keep the cost of cedar furniture to a minimum.

Wooden Adirondack chairs are some of the most popular cedar furniture used to decorate the indoors of a person’s home. A single piece of cedar furniture provides a gentle aroma and compliments the rest of the furniture is decorated with set cushions that match the rest of the décor. While natural cedar is beautiful with it grain in red and white, too many pieces of cedar furniture would be overwhelming as far as the scent goes. Pieces of cedar furniture that are used indoors will last for generations and become the antiques of the future.

Cedar furniture for outdoor use has become highly practical because of the ease in which it can be cared for. This is also why many people are investing in cedar to build their decks and decorate their gardens with. Furniture made of other wood and materials simply do not hold up to the unique beauty of cedar wood or the furniture that is currently being made with it.

Cedar Furniture

Care of Western Red Cedar Outdoor Furniture

Posted by on February 25, 2012 No comments

So, you purchased Western Red Cedar (WRC) outdoor furniture and got it home. You place it in that perfect spot you had in mind and it looks beautiful and elegant. But then what? Do you let it age naturally; changing to silver gray? If so, should you do anything to care for it? Or do you want to keep it looking like it did when you brought it home?

Western Red Cedar requires very minimal care if allowed to age naturally. Just hand wash it with a mild soap and water a couple of times a year. Also, make sure the hardware is tightened and not rusting. That’s it! You don’t have to take it indoors, put it in storage or anything else. It will age to a beautiful silver gray color with a raised grain.

Cedar Furniture

Western Red Cedar is a soft wood, it is best not to pressure wash it, as this may damage the wood. Some suggest using steel wool or other abrasive for stubborn stains. However, steel wool will leave behind tiny particles that may embed into the furniture and begin to rust. Any abrasive material may damage the wood. Therefore, hand washing with a soft rag or sponge is the best means of washing outdoor furniture. For stubborn stains, check with your local hardware store and make sure they know you are cleaning Cedar outdoor furniture. They can suggest an agent you can use on stubborn stains.

If you want to allow the natural aging process but do not wish to have a raised grain, a wood sealer can be used. If you use a sealer with UV protection, you can protect the tones of your WRC furniture as well. Again, your local hardware store can help you with choosing the appropriate sealer.

If you prefer to keep your garden, patio and outdoor furniture looking as it did when you purchased it, there are several options available. Your local hardware store can also help you with many of these methods. However, keep in mind that it is very important they understand you are working with Cedar outdoor furniture.

Wood Sealer – wood sealers block the pores of the wood keeping dirt and moisture out. To keep the warm colors of cedar, use a sealer with ultra violet inhibitors. Otherwise, your furniture will turn the silver gray of natural aging but will not have the raised grain. It is the ultra violet rays of the sun that causes the change in color. The wood sealer should be reapplied every year.

Stain – stain is available in many different colors and with or without UV inhibitors. To keep the natural warm shades of your WRC furniture, two coats of a clear stain with UV inhibitors should be applied annually. Keep in mind that all colors of stain should be considered PERMANENT.

Oil – Teak or linseed oil is not recommended for Cedar outdoor furniture as the oil will tend to collect dust particles which will stick to the furniture. Also, oil will not keep the WRC from changing to the silver gray color. It will only slow down the natural aging process and repel water.

Paint – painting WRC outdoor furniture is not recommended. All paint will eventually blister and peel. Paint traps moisture in the wood. If you wish to change the color of your WRC garden, patio and outdoor furniture, consider staining it.

Preservative Treated – any part of WRC furniture that will be in the ground (i.e. arbor posts, pergola posts, fence posts, landscape ties etc.) needs to be preservative treated.

Whether you let your WRC outdoor furniture age naturally or prefer to keep the warm color and tones at the time of purchases, it will be something you will enjoy with your family and friends for a very long time.

Care of Western Red Cedar Outdoor Furniture

The Comfort of Nature – White Cedar Outdoor Furniture

Posted by on February 20, 2012 No comments

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 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 Furniture

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.

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.

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.

The Comfort of Nature – White Cedar Outdoor Furniture

Cedar Patio Furniture For a Fantastic Patio

Posted by on February 18, 2012 No comments

There are a lot of people who love the look of wrought iron for their patio furniture. And a lot more who admire the look of wicker, whether it’s all natural or resin. But there are quite a few people, who just love the look of wooden patio furniture and for them, there is simply no substitute.

And if you are one of those folks who admire and desire wood outdoor furniture then you have to make a decision. Which is the best wood for my patio furniture? A lot of people like teak, with its classy elegance and soft sheen. And quite a number of folks are really into the pine which is the perfect wood for those Adirondack style chairs. But if you really want a cool and classy kind of wood for your patio, choose cedar.

Cedar Furniture

This might be a surprise for some people, especially for those who think that all softwoods are the same. But truthfully, pine is used by cheaper patio furniture manufacturers and redwood might be popular in California, but for a good all around choice on price, durability and appearance cedar takes the cake.

One of the reasons that people like cedar so much for their patio pieces is that it’s lightweight. Unlike those big heavy chairs and chaises made from oak or teak, cedar is lightweight enough that rearranging your patio whenever you feel like it, is no chore whatsoever. And because of the nature of the grain in cedar, it retains nearly all the strength of oak or teak.

When dried properly for furniture, it also is an extremely dimensionally stable wood, which means it won’t warp as it continues to finish drying on your patio. This makes it naturally resistant to cracking and checking. And that makes it great for keeping the finish intact without redoing it over and over.

Cedar is also thermally efficient at radiating heat. This means that on those really hot days the furniture will still be cool to the touch. Cedar has natural oils that will help the wood resist rot, decay and insects, which is why they use it in closets inside your home.

And you can’t forget about the aroma of cedar wood. When it’s warm outside, this delightful scent will fill the air around your patio with a delicious clean smell. And this also helps keep the bugs away.

Cedar is a great wood for patio furniture and now there are many places on the internet where you can grab yourself a pile of bargains on wooden patio furniture from cedar. Just a few clicks and you can be enjoying a cool drink in your new cedar patio furniture almost immediately.

Cedar Patio Furniture For a Fantastic Patio

Cedar Outdoor Furniture – It is Easy to Maintain

Posted by on February 17, 2012 No comments

If you have a great looking set of cedar outdoor furniture in your backyard, you may be looking around to figure out how to keep it looking that way for years to come. As you have searched the internet for some insight into how to keep your cedar outdoor furniture beautiful, you may have noticed everyone seems focused on the care of teak outdoor furniture. While teak and cedar have some similar characteristics, especially red cedar, they are different, aren’t they? Yes, they are.

So, let’s look at what it takes to keep your cedar outdoor furniture happy for many years to come.

Cedar Furniture

o Preservative Treatments – Even if you are not a fan of chemical treatments for your outdoor furniture, there is one portion of your cedar outdoor furniture you should consider treating, the portion that touches the ground. Between moisture and insects, that point of contact is essentially the battle zone for your cedar outdoor furniture.

o Regular Cleaning – The general maintenance of cedar outdoor furniture is not too bad. For the most part, toss bit of liquid soap into a bucket, wash the surface and rinse the pieces off. If you are in an area where a lot of dirt and dust has blown up onto the furniture pieces, you may need to get a soft brush to break some of that debris away. It is important to remember NOT to use abrasive items on your cedar. While these outdoor furniture pieces seem very strong when you are using them, they are made of a soft wood that can be scratched and cut if you are using abrasive items on the surface.

o Sealers – You have to decide if you want to completely protect your cedar outdoor furniture from the elements, and even the sun. There are a variety of sealers on the market. These items will do everything from keeping moisture and dirt out of the pores of the wood to even blocking some of the sun’s harmful rays with UV blockers. This is important if you want to keep the colored grains in your wood as the sun can start to dry the wood and change it to shades of silver.

o Stain – If you want to change the color of your cedar outdoor furniture you can stain it. Just keep in mind this is a one time only event. Once you have stained the wood, you are stuck with that color. If you are just looking to use stain as a protective measure, there are clear stains that will help maintain the original color of your wood. Some of these also come with UV blockers to help counter the effects of the sun on the wood.

o Oil – While furniture oil is popular for many things, you should not use it on your cedar outdoor furniture. In this case all furniture oil is going to do is stick to the surface of the wood and collect dust, dirt and other debris from the air that you are going to have to scrub off in your next cleaning.

Cedar Outdoor Furniture – It is Easy to Maintain

Choosing Unassembled or Assembled Cedar Furniture Kits

Posted by on February 15, 2012 No comments

Many Western Red Cedar products are available in two options. You can purchase your Cedar furniture unassembled or pre-assembled (knock-down).

Unassembled – All parts are packaged in an unassembled kit. This kit includes all necessary hardware and the same high quality materials and detailed craftsmanship as the pre-assembled (knock-down) kit.

Cedar Furniture

Every piece of the Cedar has been pre-cut, drilled and sanded. Included in the kit are easy to follow, fully illustrated instruction sheets. In most cases, customers will find the average assembly time is anywhere from 15 minute to 1 hour.

Taking advantage of this option will allow you to save a substantial amount of money. It will also give you the satisfaction of knowing that you had a part in assembling your furniture.

If you are not the type of individual who wants to spend the time and energy putting together your outdoor furniture, then maybe the assembled kit is the one for you.

Assembled – (Pre-assembled or Knock-down) – This option is for the customer who cannot afford to take time or does not want to be bothered and would prefer to have the furniture arrive ready to enjoy soon after delivery. Most of the knock-down Cedar furniture, depending on the item, arrives 70% to 90% completed, with remaining structures pre-drilled and pre-fitted to allow a minimal set-up effort for the customer.

You will have to determine which kit is right for you. Do you want to spend time putting your furniture together or do you want to have it ready for use in just a few minutes? It is all up to you? Which ever one you choose, the unassembled or assembled, you can be sure that you will be purchasing a quality product that is built to last.

Choosing Unassembled or Assembled Cedar Furniture Kits

Bench Basics

Posted by on February 13, 2012 No comments

A bench can become the perfect solution for your ongoing home improvement projects. A bench becomes part of your life as you are blessed with a lifetime of memories. While sitting on a bench memorable conversations unfold, conversations with your parents, spouse, loved ones or friends. A bench is a place where some receive their first kiss or a much needed hug in a period of crisis or a simple touch from your spouse that reinforces your years together. A person can relax, think and experience many peaceful moments by adding a bench to their home improvement plans. There are many different kinds of benches to choose from.

As a bench quickly becomes the center piece of your home you can choose from a cubby bench, deacon bench, fly tying bench, potting bench or a teak bench. These benches are different in a variety of ways. With the proper information you will be able to make an informed decision.

Cedar Furniture

A cubby bench is a sensible way to store all of those things that seem to always be in the way. This type of bench is great for a child’s play room and other areas of the house where things seem scattered. A cubby bench usually consists of three open cubbies designed for storage and a firm bench seat. You can leave the cubbies open or you can put baskets into the slots. The baskets will give your cubby bench a sense of tidiness. This bench is available in beautiful cedar, oak, maple or teak wood. Parents love the cubby bench because of its convenient space storage; children appreciate the private space to sit with friends and to store all of their comforting treasures.

If you are looking for a trendier bench, the deacon bench may be just what you need. A deacon bench offers a place to sit, chest storage and adds a touch of attractiveness to any room or space. Most furniture stores carry this type of bench and they usually range in price from 0 to 0 dollars. This is a preferred bench for both style and storage. It is a great addition to any home.

Benches are made for indoor and outdoor use. Many people enjoy having a bench on their porch or in their patio area. During the summer an outside bench is a wonderful piece of furniture to have. Many times families like to sit outside, enjoying a warm summer breeze, while sipping homemade lemonade. This is a perfect opportunity for family time and the chance to create many lasting moments.

No matter what your home improvement plans are make sure to include a bench. Patio and lawn chairs are only made for one whereas benches are made for two. Have many romantic and heart-warming moments as your new bench quickly becomes your favorite piece of furniture. Any of the above mentioned benches can be purchased at many stores, online or through catalogs. Some enterprising individuals even like to build their own bench adding an extra touch of sentimental value. For more information on benches visit http://www.bench411.com .

Bench Basics