What is Redwood Lumber – Uses and Advantages

Everything you need to know about what is redwood lumber, its uses, advantages and how to finish furniture and structures made from redwood.

It is getting warmer outside and that means its not just time to build, it is also time to build outdoor furniture and structures!

One of the most common question about outdoor builds is – what type of lumber to use.

There are many options based on the region you live in, and your budget.

Redwood is one of the top choices and it is all about #RedwoodDIY!

***This post is sponsored by Humboldt Redwood and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make it possible to bring you great projects***

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Why redwood?

I mean look at its gorgeous color!!

On the more serious note, here are some of the things that make redwood a perfect candidate for all types of projects –

• Redwood is one of nature’s strongest materials and resists warping and splitting.
• It is a much lighter than a lot of its peers and can be easily cut, sawed, and drilled with regular woodworking tools.
• It has natural tannins that help making it durable and perfect for outdoor use. It is naturally resistant to insects, decay and fire. Yes, fire!
• It is sustainable, renewable, recyclable, and cleaner to produce than its engineered “alternatives.”
• Prices – It isn’t exactly the cheapest material out there but for all the benefits it offers, it is an extremely reasonable price compared to its pricier counterparts.

All of the above characteristics make redwood lumber one of the top choices for outdoor and even indoor projects.

What is redwood lumber?

Redwood lumber as the name suggests, come from redwood trees. Redwood trees are native to the western coast of United States – specifically, North Coast of California, and Southern Oregon.

Redwood lumber is known for its vibrant red color. The red color comes from the same tannins that make it resistant to insects and decay.

Shop my T-shirt designs –

What is redwood lumber used for?

Redwood is used for many outdoor and indoor applications –

• Decking – this is the most common application. Apart from its natural strength, stability,  and durability, it also stays comfortable for bare feet even on the hottest, sunniest days. The deep red color of redwood decking adds value to any home.
• Outdoor structures – Pergolas,  patio covers, fences, and gates – The durability and long life of redwood makes it the perfect candidates for outdoor structures.
• Structural beams – porch enclosures, open beam ceilings, and interior exposed support columns –  Redwood beams resist shrinking and don’t wist or warp while being relatively light, easy to work with and need little or no maintenance.
• Furniture – With all its amazing durability redwood is a great choice for furniture – especially outdoor furniture.
• Wall trim – Redwood makes amazing feature walls. The rich color brings warmth to any space plus it is easy cut and install. It can be used anywhere without worrying about knots, cracks or splits.
• Other uses – Burls and other forms of figured Redwood are also used in turning, musical instruments, and other small specialty items.

Is redwood a hardwood?

In one word – No.

The terms hardwood and softwood refer to the botanical grouping of the wood rather than its physical properties or “hardness”.

Softwoods come from coniferous trees that are evergreen and have needle shaped leaves.

The redwood also known as  Sequoia trees are coniferous trees and hence, redwood is a softwood.

Is redwood good for furniture?

YES!

Redwood is structurally durable and easy to work with. This makes it a great candidate for furniture.

Although it is most commonly used in building patio furniture, it is a beautiful wood and will make great looking interior furniture as well!

How to finish redwood?

There are many options and schools of thought about finishing redwood furniture.

• The No-finish option – Redwood performs better than most woods if left unfinished. However, with time and exposure to sun, it turns into a soft driftwood gray. If you love the look of the weather-bleached wood, this is an excellent no-maintenance option.
• Clear water-repellent finish – It is important to use one with mildewcide – If you want to maintain the look of the lumber as it is today, you can stabilize it with a clear coat like this one.
• Bleaching and weathering stains – if you want to control the look of weathering, bleaching and weathering stains produce a permanent driftwood gray effect which is a good, low-maintenance option.
• Transparent and Semi-transparent stains – If you would like to enhance the look of the gorgeous redwood, you can stain it in “redwood” shades. This way you can tint the wood and protect it without hiding the grain. Many semi-transparent stains have complete protection and last a few years before requiring a re-coat. I am using this one in my upcoming project and in the picture above.
• Solid-color stains or paints – As the name implies, you can completely cover up the redwood using solid colors.  If you do choose the paint option, be sure to apply it over compatible oil-based primers.

Redwood project ideas

If you are looking to get started with projects, Humboldt Redwood has a lot of inspiration.

Be sure to look into Humboldt Redwood for your redwood needs. It is available through various lumber stores.

Humboldt Redwood is grown and harvested in a responsible, ethical manner with an eye for long-term sustainability.

I am really excited to be working on a fun new project with Humboldt Redwood!

It is going to make the perfect addition to our backyard and my husband can’t wait for me to finish it!

Can you guess what it is?

It’s a…

DIY Redwood Hammock Holder

Last year was our first full summer in this house and we enjoyed the pool but I pretty much neglected it the rest of the backyard.

This year, I am on a mission to make it a relaxing pretty space which is not just cozy but also fun!

We have wanted a hammock in the backyard for the longest time but we do not have any trees.

Also, we barely have any yard space to dig up and add an arbor type structure.

Therefore, I decided to build this free-standing hammock holder!

Because of the lightweight redwood, it is easy to move it around in the backyard too!

Here is a sneak peek –

I am almost done building it!

Follow along the process on Instagram @anikasdiylife.

I can’t wait to show you and also spend a few evenings napping in it 🙂

Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you have any questions or helpful pointers about building with redwood, I would love for you to leave it in the comments below!

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