Sunday, August 1, 2010

What is Cedar Wood?

Cedar is a member of pine family. It grows in the Pacific Northwest of North America where weather is damp, and where fungus, microorganisms, and insects subject trees to vicious conditions. The two primary areas where cedar trees are produced are in Washington State and in British Columbia, Canada.

Western Red Cedar is the most preferred form of cedar and is perfect for use as home cedar furniture. It is well-known worldwide for its unique weather-resistant properties. It is a lightweight and dimensionally stable wood because it lies flat and stays straight, making it resistant to the natural tendency of cracking. This wood can be cut, shaped, planed, sanded, nailed and glued easily without breaking.

Cedar wood is light, soft, resinous, and durable, even when in contact with soil, grass or any moisture. It is highly resistant to weathering, and will last many decades outdoors without being vulnerable to rotting and decay. It is because trees such as the cedar tree have developed self-protective qualities that allow the tree to fend off insects, rot and temperature related stresses. It contains oils within its fibers and this oil act as natural preservatives, making it excellent as a furniture material for moist and humid climate. Cedar is also best suited than plastic or metal for the construction of outdoor patio furniture because it has an ability to stay cool even in extreme heat. It is always cool to touch and pleasant to sit on.

This beautiful, cinnamon-colored wood is perfectly suited to nearly any decorative style. It can be left unfinished and untreated however it will need periodic maintenance. The natural weathering process will transform this beautiful wood into a pleasant gray color. In some cases, homeowners want their cedar building products to be stained or painted in order to match their home's decor. If it is treated well, a finely Cedar patio furniture could last for more than a lifetime.

Cedar wood has remarkable dimensional stability. This means the wood doesn't change its size or dimension despite weather, humidity or temperature conditions. Many types of wood will warp when subjected to moisture, but cedar stays straight and flat which makes it perfect for outdoor furniture.

Due to the fact that Cedar belongs to the gymnosperm family of trees, it is incredibly strong and durable. Gymnosperms are uniquely designed for skeletal strength. Their elongated xylem cells limit the amount of water that may be conducted from the roots to the leaves but greatly add the overall strength of the tree.

Aside from being the choice material for outdoor furniture, Cedar is preferred material for any outdoor applications that seek visual harmony with the landscape without sacrificing stability and durability. It is also a choice material for closet liners and blanket storage chests because of its aroma which is unattractive to insects and other pests.

Outdoor furniture constructed from plastic is initially less expensive than that of cedar furniture. But in choosing Cedar, quality and durability plus attractiveness are the benefits you can get from it. Less maintenance is required and yet lasts a lifetime!

See our other articles here:

0 comments:

Post a Comment