Friendly Front Porch
As you approach the house, cedar railings, steps, and brackets are a warm contrast to the cooler gray-blue clapboard siding, black muntins, and stone veneer-faced column piers.
Overhead and Underfoot
A full-width front porch tucked under an overhanging roof features rustic, knotty cedar flooring and ceiling, with clear vertical grain Western Red cedar railings.
Did you know? The even grain and relatively consistent density make Western Red Cedar less likely to swell, warp, cup, and twist than other soft and hard woods, making it ideal for porch flooring and decking.
The porch’s cedar treatment continues a thoughtful design language found throughout the home. As noted in This Old House Magazine’s November 2018 feature on the Idea House, the back door connects to the freestanding garage via a covered walkway, and this secondary entry gets the first-class treatment with a small sitting porch that echoes the full-width porch out front—complete with a cedar floor and ceiling and tapered wood columns.
Perfect for Pergolas
Cedar naturally resists warping, cracking, insects, and rot, making it a favorite outdoor building material. Here, Sweenor Builders used cedar to construct a striking, custom lattice driveway pergola.
Pro Tip: Even with cedar’s natural durability, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva recommends finishing the wood before installation when it will be exposed to moisture: “Cedar is an excellent choice of materials for outside use, but you are going to be putting this up against the masonry. You’re going to be watering it all the time because of your plants—all the protection we can give it, the better. Now also a lot easier to paint it now or stain it now, before it goes up.”
Cedar Circle
The very talented carpentry duo, Kevin Scott and Doug Barlow of Sweenor Builders, created this unique porthole in the center of the pergola.
Post-Beach Bathing Station
Cedar seating and shower kit housing within the outdoor shower are built to withstand the elements.
Did you know? Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, making it a perfect choice for outdoor applications.
Pro Tip: Nathan, who installed a similar outdoor shower on a recent Ask This Old House project, explains why cedar is the go-to choice for coastal shower enclosures: “I chose white cedar. It’s really easy to work with, ages beautifully, and on the Cape, it’s almost a staple to have a really nice cedar outdoor shower at your house.”
A Spot to Swing
A focal point in the backyard, this angled cedar pergola with Adirondack-style bench swing is the perfect place for an afternoon read.
Petite Porch
The back porch mimics the front, with knotty cedar steps, floor, and ceiling, with clear vertical grain Western Red Cedar railings. Casual, all-weather furnishings offer a place to sit and kick off your shoes before entering the house.
Four-Season Spot
In the sunroom, the clear vertical grain Western Red Cedar ceiling features a quad of skylights, creating a dramatic look that welcomes natural light and creates a feeling of warmth. Here, you’ll also detect cedar’s subtle, natural aroma—another hallmark of its universal appeal.
Overhead Appeal
Massive, decorative cedar trusses were built and wrapped on site before being hoisted into place. Luckily, Western Red Cedar’s large, open cell structure makes it less dense than most other softwoods, making it lighter and easier to move about.
For more about the benefits and uses of cedar inside and outside the home, visit realcedar.com
