From: Learn About Garden Sheds
Just say the word cedar and instantly you think of beautiful amber-colored wood, weather resistant and durable and oh that cedar smell! Reminds me of the trunk where Grandma stored blankets. Because of naturally occurring preservatives in the wood, a cedar garden shed, planter, or piece of patio furniture can be left to naturally age without fear of cracking, warping, or rot due to water damage.
By using cedar’s own wood finishing properties the naturally occurring oils and organic compounds you can avoid using chemical preservatives. Cedar is considered by many to be the safest and healthiest option for outdoor storage buildings, children’s play sets, and furniture.
Types of cedar
Garden sheds, cedar siding, and cedar shingles can be made from two types of cedar: Western Red Cedar, and Yellow Cedar:
- Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) can be found in coastal environments of British Columbia and Washington, as well as in Idaho and Montana. The wood color ranges from warm red to amber.
- Yellow Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) also grows on the Pacific Coast, especially in the mountainous coastal forests of British Columbia. The wood from Yellow Cedar has a distinctive and uniform yellow color.
Advantages of cedar
Here are some of the advantages of using cedar for your garden shed:
- You don’t have to chemically treat the wood unfinished cedar will age gracefully to a silver gray color and raised grain.
- Cedar won’t bow, sag or crack, which is good news for your garden shed.
- Cedar keeps the hot summer days at bay so the inside of your garden shed or gazebo stays cool.
- Cedar is strong and durable (almost as strong as oak), and has natural anti- bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- Cedar has an unmistakable fragrance that is both subtle and pleasing.