Cedar
Patio Furniture
Why Cedar?
Articles
> Why Cedar?
By
Outdoor Patio Furniture
Plentiful
From Northern British Columbia, Canada, to California, a rugged
1,500-mile spine of mountains parallels the Pacific coast of North
America. Along the slopes and in the valleys of these mountains
humus-rich soil nourishes mixed softwood forests in vast abundance.
It is among these coastal forests that the majority of Western Red
Cedar grows. In addition, Western Red Cedar also grows in the drier
interior forests of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana,
where they are smaller in stature with a tight-knotted-growth characteristic.
Western Red Cedars are rarely grown in isolation; they are raised
with other species in predominantly managed forests in which controlled
harvests, natural regeneration, and reforestation programs ensure
a perpetual harvest.
Unique Physical Qualities of Cedar
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is renowned worldwide for its
unique weather-resistant properties. It is a lightweight and dimensionally
stable wood, because it lies flat and stays straight, therefore
resisting the natural tendency to crack and check, as you might
find in many other wood species.
Being a naturally lightweight wood, Cedar is easy to handle and
craft for both the professional and do-it-yourselfer. The wood can
be cut, shaped, planed, sanded, nailed and glued easily. It is free
of pitch and resin and it finishes to a richly glowing surface that
can be enhanced with semi-transparent or full-bodied stains.
Western Red Cedar has an incredible thermal co-efficient, meaning
that even on hot days, it is cool to sit in. It is resistant to
bacteria and fungus, and is 80% the strength of Oak, making Cedar
the most desirable wood for building cedar patio furniture.
Natural Protection against the Elements
The oils contained within the fibers of Western Red Cedar act as
natural preservatives. This helps the wood to resist rot and decay,
making it excellent furniture material for moist or humid climates.
These properties also make Cedar a very popular material for hot
tub and sauna areas.
Among other things, Cedar's naturally occurring organic compounds
(called thujaplicins) give off that distinct cedar aroma that makes
the wood highly unattractive to insects, moths, and other pests.
This is why Cedar is the choice material for closet liners and blanket
storage chests.
Ideal for Long-term Use
Aside from being the choice material for outdoor patio and garden
furniture, Cedar is the preferred material for any outdoor applications
that seek visual harmony with the landscape without sacrificing
stability and durability. Various uses range from furniture products
to siding and patio decking, to fences, planters, screens and shelters.
Buildings that feature cedar paneling, ceilings, or siding tend
to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Cedar also
has excellent sound suppression and absorption qualities. Properly
finished and maintained, Western Red Cedar ages gracefully and endures
for many years.
|
