The giant sequoias, also known as redwood, is a softwood native to central California and parts of New Zealand. Many woodworkers believe that redwood is perfect for outdoor projects because of its color and longevity. However, is it good for furniture?
Redwood is good for furniture because it is beautiful, resistant, eco-friendly, and easy to work with. However, it is not the cheapest wood, can cause allergic reactions in people and animals, is an endangered species, and is high maintenance.
In this article, we will tell you all there is to know about the redwood. We cover the advantages and disadvantages so that you can decide if it’s the right wood for your furniture.
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Pros of Using Redwood for Furniture
Redwood is a widely known softwood, and it is the go-to option for many when it comes to exterior furniture. It is beautiful to the eye and has a texture that many find appealing.
It is strong, resistant, and long-lasting. It is also eco-friendly and easy to work with because of its density and softness.
Let’s take a look at all the advantages of using redwood for indoor or outdoor furniture.
Redwood Is a Beautiful Wood
Many people fall in love with the beautiful color of redwood. It has a characteristic pinkish-brown color. For this reason, many woodworkers use redwood as a veneer. It allows them to showcase the attractive color and highlight points of interest.
Redwood blends perfectly in exteriors, creating harmony between the furniture and the landscape. Many experts even consider redwood to be one of the few natural kinds of wood to age gracefully. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture.
It is excellent for classic structural uses like decks and veneers. Still, it can also be a great option for finishing. Its texture, grain, and color can bring uniqueness to your furniture. You can also consider it for trim for a classy finishing.
Redwood has a visual warmth that can add a feeling of comfort to a home. This makes it an excellent candidate for statement pieces of furniture.
Redwood Is a Resistant Softwood
Softwoods differ from hardwoods because of their density. While hardwoods take their time to grow, softwoods grow faster. Therefore, their wood is usually less dense.
This is why many decide on hardwoods when it comes to furniture, industrial uses, and construction. But redwood is not like other softwoods.
Redwood is considered one of the strongest and most dense softwoods in nature. Furthermore, the wood from the giant sequoias is famous for its resistance to the elements. Insects, rain, and heat don’t affect redwood as much as it affects other softwoods. If it is properly treated, it will even avoid shrinkage for at least ten years.
This makes it a great option for outdoor furniture. Redwood furniture won’t rot or show damage from light rain or if you live in a humid, tropical climate. However, you should still use a furniture cover like the ULTCOVER Rectangular Patio Heavy Duty Table Cover.
- Guaranteed to fit rectangular/oval patio table and 4-6 standard chairs size up to 88"(L)x62"(W), Actual cover size is 90"(L)x64"(W)x28"(H). Please be remind the include distance that chair backs jut out from the table while measuring.
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Last update on 2023-06-09 at 00:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There’s a difference in resistance between the American redwood and the ones that grow in New Zealand. The American one can last longer, even lasting twenty years. This is because it grows slower in North America, given the wood a higher density level.
If you are looking for long-lasting value in your furniture, then redwood could be a good option.
Redwood Is an Eco-Friendly Choice
Like other trees, redwood retains carbon inside its wood fiber. Approximately 50% of redwood’s fiber is carbon. It retains this carbon even after lumbered and treated for furniture or construction uses. This means that the carbon is not released into the atmosphere and does not contribute to greenhouse gases.
Redwood is a protected species in California. Therefore, landowners must have its management operations regularly audited and controlled by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This ensures that there is no harmful deforestation.
Redwood Is a Light Option and Easy to Work With
Redwood’s density is lighter than most softwoods while still being resistant. This attribute makes redwood an easy wood to work with.
It can be easily cut, sawed, and drilled by any regular woodworking tool. It also has a particularly smooth texture that many experts prefer to use in finishing products and furniture.
Its natural color, texture, and grain make it ideal for those who wish to show the wood rather than hide it. For this reason, it is a time-saver, because you don’t need to work hard for a perfect finish.
Is Redwood Good for Indoor Furniture?
Redwood is a great choice for outdoor furniture because it has color and durability that creates harmony with the environment. It is not a bad option for indoor furniture. Still, you would be losing what makes redwood such beautiful and valuable wood.
Cons of Using Redwood for Furniture
There are a lot of positive attributes to redwood, but you also need to consider the negatives. These include pricing, sustainability, allergic reactions, and maintenance needs.
We’ll take a look at all the Cons of using redwood for your woodwork projects.
Redwood Is Not the Most Economical Choice
When it comes to pricing, we tend to choose the best option for the best price. It is the same when we pick the right wood for our furniture.
Redwood, however, falls in the upper to higher pricing list of softwoods. The reason is that it only grows naturally in specific parts of California. The price is worth it for its many uses and advantages, but consider it before deciding.
If you are looking for a more economical option, cedar can be a good alternative.
Redwood Can Cause Allergic Reactions in Some People and Pets
It is not the most dangerous wood out there, but redwood has a reputation as a sensitizer. This means that it can produce allergic symptoms in people and some breeds of dogs.
This isn’t very serious. However, if you or a member of your family suffers from allergies, you might want to consider a different option for your wooden furniture.
Redwood Is an Endangered Species
Redwood is eco-friendly. However, redwood is also an endangered species. In less than three generations, its population has decreased by 40%.
Redwood is included in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List as a threatened species. However, it does not appear in the CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Wild Flora and Fauna) appendices. Both entities work hard to protect endangered species of trees and other species.
Its endangered status can also be a problem when considering the availability of the wood. Choosing to buy furniture made from an endangered wood could pose a threat to the species’ longevity.
Redwood Is a High Maintenance Wood
Redwood is resistant but to fully make it last. You will need to care for your furniture with varnish and cleaner properly. We recommend the Vermont Natural Coatings Poly Whey Furniture Finish.
- ULTRA-DURABLE: High durability proven to protect your furniture against chemicals, mar and scratches
- LOW VOC: Breathe easy without worry of compromising indoor air quality and health.
- BIO-BASED: By using whey protein as a co-binder, PolyWhey leverages a renewable resource to deliver the safest and most durable paints, stains and finishes on the market. PolyWhey Furniture Finish is a USDA Certified Bio-Based Product.
Last update on 2023-06-09 at 00:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Redwood can withstand insects, rain, and other elements. However, if you do not do constant maintenance of the furniture, you will start noticing it turning silver-gray over time. Remember, redwood is a great choice, but it is a big responsibility too.
Conclusion
Overall, redwood is a great choice for furniture, especially outdoor furniture. It’s long-lasting and has many uses.
To recap, here’s the list of the many pros of using redwood:
- It is a beautiful wood
- It is one of the most resistant softwoods
- It is eco-friendly
- It is light and easy to work with
Here are the cons of using redwood:
- It is not an economical option
- It can cause allergies in some people and pets
- Redwood is an endangered species
- It is high maintenance
Sources
- CITES: What is the CITES?
- The Wood Database: Redwood
- Lambert Lumber: The Best Types of Wood for a Woodworking Project
- NZ Wood: Redwood
- Humboldt Sawmill: Why Redwood?
- Redfin: The Environmental Benefits of Redwood Decking
- Arnold Lover: Hardwood vs Softwood
- Timber Town: Redwood vs Cedar
- Anika’s DIY Life: What is Redwood Lumber – Uses and Disadvantages?
- GetRit: Redwood Advantages and Disadvantages
- Wikipedia: Greenhouse gases
- Forest Stewardship Council: Home Page