2022-04-22 06:15:42
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How to Care for Your Log Furniture
Log furniture is becoming more and more popular, not just in cabins and resorts but in homes and apartments as well. The natural rustic look of log furniture is very popular because the look is soothing and relaxing. Finishing log furniture can change the appearance slightly but it is still going to look like the same beautiful rustic log piece that it did before. Finishing your log furniture will benefit you in the long run.
We recommend finishing your rustic furniture because wood is a porous material. It will easily absorb the oils and dirt in our hands leaving stains on your furniture. Hands get dirty very easily, no matter how many times a day they are washed. Dresser handles, door handles, footboards, anything that comes in contact with your skin can stain requiring you to wash the unfinished log furniture regularly to keep the stains from becoming permanent. A finish on the log furniture will prevent oils and dirt from absorbing into the wood.
Outdoor Log Furniture
Northern White Cedar (Outdoor Log Furniture) and Western Red Cedar (Arches & Arbors) are some one of the most sought-after woods for many outdoor uses.  It is a fine grained durable wood, naturally pitch-free and resistant to rot and insects. These qualities combine to make cedar a top choice for carefree living.
Before you start in making a choice of finishes, decide what effect you wish to achieve. One of the positive characteristics of cedar is its ability to accept a wide range of finishes. Although it does not require finishing for protection, a properly applied finish will enhance the beauty and life of a cedar piece.
- Untreated Pine: Finish outdoor pine furniture as quickly as possible.
- Untreated Cedar:Left untreated, Both Western Red and Northern White Cedar will weather to a beautiful soft silver-gray color similar to driftwood. See the following picture for an example of weathered Northern White Cedar.
- Stain Finishing: There are a wide variety of penetrating stains, many of which retain much of the wood’s natural color and texture while adding a protective element. For outdoor use we recommend the outdoor stains/finishes that include water repellent additives, mildew inhibitors (mildicides), and UV inhibitors. Penetrating stains go into the wood without forming a surface barrier so avoid the problems of blistering and peeling of painted surfaces. They work well on wood with knots and deep surface texture.
- Paints: Before deciding to paint cedar, it must be realized that the natural color and grain of the wood will be concealed. If you choose to paint, apply the product according to the manufacturer’s directions for the best protection and good service. A good alternative to paint is a stain that has been pigmented with the color you want. This will give the look of painted cedar log with the protection of an outdoor finish.