Author: Todd Arend Date posted: Aug 24, 2009 Article views: 87 Wordcount: 518 Re-Publish
Building a cedar garden bench is a fairly easy process which can yield amazing results. Red cedar garden benches are simple yet strikingly beautiful when placed in the perfect area. When building a bench or any project which is to be made specifically of red cedar, there are a few facts and tips to keep in mind to make the process go quickly, easily, and successfully.
Cedar is a popular type of wood to use for outdoor furniture and has been used for making other materials such as pencils, boats, and storage boxes for many years. Its durability, strength, beauty, and aroma make red cedar one of the most popular materials for outdoor furniture.
Before building a garden bench made of red cedar, it is important to remember that red cedar is in fact a softwood even though it is often marketed as a hardwood. This is beneficial because softwoods feature a lower price tag and are rated more environmentally friendly because they grow faster than hardwoods. They also resemble redwood but have a higher strength. Building a red cedar garden bench is also easier than building a bench with hardwood because softwoods are easier to work and build with. It is also lightweight in comparison to a lot of other woods.
The softwood property of red cedar can be a problem as well when creating your own cedar garden bench. Although red cedar can be carved, it will not be the best material to use when carving detailed and intricate details because the wood will not be hard enough to show and hold the hard work. There are also commonly knots in the red cedar which will be a problem when carving.
One important factor to consider when building a red cedar garden bench is that it has the possibility of tearing if spots are frailer than others. This problem is not hard to eliminate if you be sure to keep your power tools and cutting edges very sharp throughout the entire process of building the red cedar garden bench.
When using screws and nails during your red cedar garden bench project, always be sure to use a backing board during the drilling process. Utilizing a backing board will avoid the risk of ruining the red cedar due to splitting and splintering after the drill hole. Also be sure to pre-drill for screws to avoid the red cedar from splitting.
After your red cedar garden bench is complete, it is important to follow through on finishing and care techniques in order to keep the red cedar functioning to its highest potential. If you want the wood to keep its strong smell, you will need to avoid using sealant and also complete a light sanding of the piece every so often to bring out the natural oils. If you do decide to seal your red cedar garden bench, avoid using plastic finishes because the oil will resist it and cause it to peel, which could ruin the piece of furniture.
Creating a personalized red cedar garden bench can be easier and more rewarding than you may have imagined.
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes about Cedar Garden Bench and Cedar Garden Benches
