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