Adirondack Cedar Furniture
"Frequently Asked Questions"

High-quality 1 inch (1") thick solid Western Red cedar construction.
When creating a piece of furniture for you, we start with hand-selected, highest-quality, 1 inch thick Western Red cedar.  Each part is shaped to specific requirements and the edges rounded to give the look of elegance to the completed piece.  Before we ship to you, all of the pieces go through a quality control check, personally inspected by two of our senior craftsmen.  They fill out a personalized inspection report to ensure that you get the best every time!

How are my cedar products sent to me?
All pieces come in kit form: 'ready-to-assemble' and 'ready-to-finish' (minimal sanding and water-proofing recommended - see below for details).  Each piece includes 'step-by-step' instructions, with photographs.  All necessary hardware is included (bolts, nuts, screws, etc.).  All pieces are encased in tight-fitting, fully labeled packages, allowing shipment to anywhere in the world.  For shipments to the USA and Canada, we use UPS or FedEx Ground, which takes about 6 - 7 business days (barring any border crossing issues).

What kind of wood is used for the products?
We use Western Red cedar.  It has fibers, which contain oils that act as natural preservatives to help the wood resist rot, decay, and insect attack.  The cedar is harvested from managed, renewable resource programs in Western Canada.  Properly finished and maintained, Western Red cedar ages gracefully and endures for many years.

FINISHING OPTIONS

How do I prepare my cedar products?
Once you receive your furniture, additional fine sanding (before finishing) is recommended, to avoid surface dust or roughness.  Always sand in the direction of the the grain of the wood.  Then apply a preservative (see below).

What kind of preservative should I use on my cedar products?
In our Canadian climate, we recommend using Tung Oil.  Avoid high gloss, film-forming coatings such as Varathane, urethane, or varnish - these finishes will crack, peel, or blister very rapidly.  We also recommend an application of water seal treatment.  This should be performed within the first 30 days after putting the furniture together.
Note: Read and follow the instructions on the product manufacturer's containers (of the finish and water seal treatment that you will be using).  The manufacturers knows their products best, and will advise you on how to get the best results.  Due to different climates, we recommend that you talk to your neighborhood paint/hardware store for the best finishing recommendations in your area (for Western Red cedar).

How long will my cedar products last?
With proper care, for many years.  To ensure years of trouble-free enjoyment and lasting good looks, see details on 'preparing cedar products for another season' (below).  Exposure to weather can be hard on any outdoor products.  If at all possible, keep them sheltered and store them under shelter over the winter months (if your winter months include snow!).  Did you know that Adirondack furniture commonly increases in value over time?  It's true.  It has been estimated that Adirondack items that originally cost $4 in the early 1900's can now fetch more than $1,250.  Today's investment is tomorrow's heirloom.  Your family will thank you.

How can I prepare my cedar products for another season?
Take a few minutes and make sure screws, nuts, and bolts are snug.  Lightly sand any areas where 'slivering' may have occurred and then give the cedar products a coat of water seal treatment.

What if I need replacements parts?
Please contact us with your detailed request (specific Adirondack furniture piece, part number, description, quantity, etc.).  Make sure you mention your 'Order #' so we can find out exactly what furniture pieces you have.

Can't find what you are looking for?
Do you have a piece of Adirondack furniture in mind that we don't currently have listed here?  Just let us know (contact us) and we'll see what we can find for you.

A Brief History on the Adirondack Chair
(as found via a little research on the web)

The Adirondack Chair is a tradition of the Twentieth century.  The angular chair, with slatted seat and back, started like any good cottage project - to make life more comfortable.  A man named Lee, from Westport, New York, invented the chair to enjoy the view of Lake Champlain.  His niece recalls that the entire family suffered through the original, uncomfortable versions, and finally, after many splinters and aching backs, Lee designed the quintessential chair.  Lee's original chair had a solid plank back and seat.  Lee shared the design concept with his friend Henry Bonell, an out-of-work carpenter.  Bonell, without Lee's blessing, patented the chair in 1904 and went into production with what Bonell called the 'Westport Chair'.

Westport Chairs sold throughout upstate New York during the next 30 years.  During this time, the chairs started to evolve both in design and name.  The solid planks were replaced by slats.  The name 'Adirondack Chair' was coined by tubercular patients, who flocked to the Adirondack Mountains for the tubercular 'wilderness cure' - weeks of quiet, rest, and fresh air, spent sitting in Adirondack Chairs, on the porches and gardens of resorts and cottages.

In the 1940s, the Adirondack Chair was copied and produced all over North America in a kit form.  Cottage owners throughout the world owe the Lee family many thanks for the original splinters and aching back they all suffered to perfect the design.

The 'Muskoka Chair' is another name for this product.

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