| Introduction | | | | Finishing White Cedar Furniture |
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| White cedar is a great wood for indoor and | | | | White cedar is used in landscaping, fencing, |
| outdoor furniture, because of its natural and | | | | shingles, decks, log homes and for outdoor |
| environmentally sound characteristics. Found | | | | furniture, where its natural oils deter pests |
| in the Northeast and most known for its uses | | | | and mold. Adding an extra layer of protection |
| on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and | | | | (either stains, paints or polyurethanes) to |
| Nantucket, white cedar is highly durable and | | | | cedar is smart insurance against possible |
| very sturdy. This wood species is also | | | | premature wear. If you want protection and |
| blessed with natural preservatives that make | | | | prefer not to see your outdoor furniture's |
| it one of the most decay/rot resistant and | | | | grain, paints provide a layer of color that |
| insect tolerant woods available. Whether | | | | will keep the wood safely hidden from the |
| you're looking for rustic furniture, a cozy | | | | elements. |
| garden furniture setting or a grouping of | | | | |
| Adirondack chairs to enjoy with close friends | | | | Staining will impregnate your wooden outdoor |
| and family, white cedar could be for you. | | | | furniture with chemicals that inhibit water, |
| | | | UV light and insect damage and add a layer of |
| Eastern White Cedar | | | | color to the surface of the wood. Whereas |
| | | | paint completely covers the wood, stains can |
| Eastern white cedar has been used in Canada | | | | leave the wood grain visible. Although not |
| and the United States for over 100 years. The | | | | necessary, you may also desire to put a |
| white cedar tree grows only in the | | | | polyurethane finish on the furniture after it |
| northeastern United States and in | | | | has been stained. Polyurethane behaves |
| southeastern Canada and is ideally suited to | | | | similarly to paint as it covers the wood. |
| both indoor and outdoor projects. The eastern | | | | Some prefer to add this extra layer, although |
| white cedar is also called northern white | | | | doing so can make reapplying a fresh coat of |
| cedar, arborvitae and swamp cedar. Because it | | | | stain in the future more difficult. |
| is often harvested from second and third | | | | |
| growth forests, using strict sustainable | | | | When staining, if the outdoor furniture has |
| management practices, eastern white cedar is | | | | been in use or outside for a period of time, |
| not only a viable alternative, but also a | | | | it is best to lightly sand all surfaces |
| better selection for your next outdoor wood | | | | before application using a Sand Sponge or |
| project. Extremely resistant to decay, | | | | sand paper. Try to stain the furniture when |
| eastern white cedar furniture is a beautiful | | | | temperatures range from 50° to 85° F. |
| wood that accepts stain treatments well, or | | | | Use a piece of similar wood or find an "out |
| you can allow it to naturally weather to a | | | | of the way" spot on the furniture to test the |
| fine gray patina. | | | | stain to ensure the wood is absorbing it to |
| | | | attain the desired color. Consider using a |
| Cedar in General | | | | foam brush, staining the lower portions of |
| | | | the furniture first and working your way |
| Cedar is a dimensionally stable wood, | | | | through the sides to the top. |
| especially when kiln-dried, meaning it lies | | | | |
| flat and stays straight, resisting the | | | | Conclusion |
| natural tendency as with other wood species | | | | |
| to crack, shrink or warp, providing a | | | | White cedar is lightweight, very durable and |
| splinter resistant and extremely smooth | | | | extremely sturdy. The wood is prized for its |
| finish. Cedar also takes a stain well (as we | | | | ability to weather without treatment (unlike |
| will discuss a bit later) and reveals a rich | | | | other species) and its ability to take |
| character when stained. Cedar is one of the | | | | finishes well. Because of this, northern |
| top ten preferred species for the home | | | | white cedar is excellent for indoor, outdoor, |
| woodworker, and ranks third behind oak and | | | | and ground contact applications. With all of |
| pine as the wood most commonly used for | | | | these benefits, it is easy to see why |
| ready-to-finish furniture. Additionally, | | | | northern white cedar is considered the |
| cedar is uncommonly smooth-surfaced when | | | | aristocrat of woods. It is a superior wood in |
| sanded, making it more comfortable for | | | | its resistance to the elements and is |
| outdoor furniture than other woods. | | | | considered one of the longest-lasting woods |
| | | | used in the lumbering industry today. |