Summer is a magical time with longer daylight hours to spend outdoors. Although it’s often filled with endless activities, sometimes staying at home feels like the best option.
Whether you want a serene spot for private relaxation or a welcoming place for entertaining family and friends, you can create an inviting hideaway right in your own backyard. To help you enhance your ideal outdoor space, the warmth and versatility of Western Red Cedar make it a natural choice.
Known as one of the most beautiful woods in the world, it’s commonly used for a variety of outdoor decor and can easily transform an unused space into an enchanting outdoor atmosphere. Build a cozy patio or line your property with an eye-catching fence – there’s no shortage of ways to make your backyard the go-to spot for summer.
Stay Cool in the Shade a Patio Cover
Though everyone loves a sunny day, it’s nice to have a respite from the heat. A patio cover fulfills the functional need of adding backyard shade while also leaving room to add your own stylistic touch.
Whether you’re building an attached patio cover or a standalone pergola, Western Red Cedar instantly adds a warm and inviting appeal to extend and enhance your living area to the outdoors. Opt for a fully covered option or leave room between boards to allow partial sunlight to shine through.
There are several patio cover styles to choose from as well, including the traditional A-frame look. However, a modern trend popular among homeowners is a tiered appearance, which is achieved by using different beam heights. Additionally, there are multiple sun shade options, and decor and furniture ideas to help make a patio cover the cornerstone of a full-on entertainment area.
Build a Backyard Deck Perfect for BBQs
Adding Western Red Cedar decking can also instantly elevate your backyard, and boards can be cut to fit any space. Choose a modest platform to spruce a smaller area or create a multi-tiered deck with railing and steps to suit your preferred style and functionality.
In addition to its attractive appearance, Western Red Cedar is a light and durable wood, making it easy to cut and prime for installation. As a renewable resource, this eco-friendly option doesn’t bleed like other woods, which is optimal for staining to preserve the color and integrity of the boards.
Though Western Red Cedar is widely known for its stunning reddish-brown hue, there are also lighter, golden shades to consider as well. Furthermore, there’s a spectrum of deck stain colors to choose from to achieve the exact aesthetic you want.
Enclose Your Outdoor Space with Horizontal Fencing
Western Red Cedar is also an optimal option for horizontal fencing. Horizontal fencing adds style and character to your backyard. Keep the boards uniformly connected or leave gaps in between to adjust privacy levels. Another option is to alternate board sizes and colors to create a uniquely modern appeal.
As with decking customization, a clear stain will preserve the original appearance of the wood. However, you can switch up the stain color to achieve a lighter, airy finish or a coastal-friendly appeal. Once your horizontal fencing is built, add lighting, greenery, or a connecting gate to further personalize the final design.
A stunning wood like Western Red Cedar easily changes a minimalistic backyard area into a relaxing, summertime hideaway to enjoy season after season. To get started with your next outdoor project, stop by your local J&W Lumber store. Our friendly representatives are here to help.