08/30/2026
🌲 Cedar & Cypress Outdoor Furniture 🌲
There’s a reason cedar and cypress have earned such a strong reputation for outdoor furniture. Both contain natural compounds that help resist decay, fungi, and wood-boring insects, giving them a built-in advantage over many other woods used outdoors.
But even naturally resistant wood needs protection.
☀️ Sun, rain, humidity, and changing temperatures will eventually take their toll on any wood product. Proper care from the beginning can make a major difference in how your outdoor furniture looks and how long it lasts.
The first step is letting the wood dry.
Never rush to seal damp lumber. The wood should be allowed to dry to an appropriate moisture level (ideally below about 15%) before applying a finish. Sealing too soon can trap moisture and interfere with the finish bonding properly.
Then protect it.
Once dry, cedar and cypress should be treated with a quality exterior product designed for wood. A penetrating exterior oil or sealer with UV protection can help reduce moisture absorption, sun damage, checking, cracking, and splitting. We typically recommend timber oils, spar urethane or penetrating oils such as teak oil, but paint also an option.
And don't forget maintenance.
No exterior finish lasts forever. Inspect outdoor furniture at least annually and reapply protection as needed, before the finish has completely worn away and exposed bare wood.
Cedar and cypress already bring natural insect and rot resistance to the table. Proper drying, sealing, and routine maintenance help those natural advantages work for you for years to come.
Good outdoor furniture starts with good wood. Making it last starts with taking care of it.
