Lakeland Mills Cedar Furniture Review - A Tradition of Sustainability

By: Tom | June 28, 2025

Overview

Years ago, I was the general manager and buyer for a store that sold high end American made products. Every spring we ordered hundreds of Amish outdoor cedar furniture pieces. By early July, we ordered hundreds more to carry us through until Fall. The quality and craftsmanship was amazing and our customers could not get enough of them. While not Amish, on paper Lakeland Mills product specifications and business model looked very comparable. But, having not yet physically seen their furniture, we needed to know more. After completing our research, we decided to order a few of their traditional cedar log chairs. Read on, we'll share our experience...

History of Lakeland Mills

cedar wood logs outside lakeland mills factory

Lakeland Mills Factory - Edmore MI

Lakeland Mills began as a small start up in 1923. After decades of slow but steady growth, the company was ready for expansion. Three long term employees purchased the business and transplanted operations to Edmore Mi in 1991. This aggressive move to a much larger facility spawned rapid growth and development. Here Lakeland Mills continues their rich history of building quality indoor/outdoor furniture. Nestled in the heart of Montcalm County, Lakeland Mills is vital to the local economy. The factory continues to provide good jobs and opportunity for local community residents.

Sustainability has always been a part of Lakeland Mills core values and identity. Northern white cedar from responsibly sourced forests is still the primary material used. Yet, the company's own long term sustainability is predicated on its willingness to evolve. With that in mind, Lakeland Mills has introduced exciting new cutting edge technologies that hold true to their eco-friendly business model. We'll discuss later...

Sustainable Cedar Furniture

Freshly Cut Northern Cedar

Lakeland Mills cedar furniture utilizes materials other companies typically leave to rot in the forest. Tree tops that would normally go to waste find new life in the form of their traditional log furniture. The remaining portions that are not suitable for production are burned to heat their factory. Even the packaging used to ship product is made from recycled material. As further verification of Lakeland Mills eco-friendly commitment, cedar furniture is Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified. This confirms responsible forest management has taken place. It's an old world philosophy reminiscent of a bygone era. A time when nothing the earth gave us was wasted or taken for granted. Those traditional values define a company that has not altered its course in nearly 100 years.

Our Cedar Log Chair Review

Lakeland Mills carries a wide assortment of indoor and outdoor furniture. Outdoor collection includes cedar log swings, Adirondack chairs, garden benches and more. Our review focuses on a very small sample size. The goal was to gain a better understanding of what to expect when purchasing furniture from this company. As such, we were very excited to receive our Lakeland Mills Log chairs and table. We'll discuss what we discovered...

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Shipping

Once our initial order was placed, we received our shipment via Amazon in less than a week. The boxes were carefully packed and all pieces arrived intact and pristine. At this step of the process, so far, so good!

Our complete order consisted of 3 chairs and one end table. Each were delivered in their own separate box.

All pieces came packed securely within their boxes. It was hard not to notice the fresh sent of cedar once opened.

We recommend verifying all parts are accounted for prior to assembly. Instructions clearly note each piece.

Furniture Assembly

The manufacturer's instructions included in each box are straight forward and easy to follow. Even so, assembly of all four pieces took over one hour. The bulk of this time was spent securing the numerous wood screws required to stabilize all parts. Using a power drill did help speed the process up considerably though. While one person can do the job, it's helpful to have a second set of hands to steady the furniture pieces during assembly. We recommend watching Lakeland Mills wonderful video that shows each step in detail.

Visual aesthetics

Log Chair & Table

Lakeland Mills outdoor cedar furniture has a warm, natural appearance. These traditional styles have stood the test of time and continue to increase in popularity. Yet, aesthetically, there are some things worth noting. Checking, sometimes called seasonal splits, may occur as cedar releases moisture and dries. This causes shrinkage that results in small cracks to form along the wood grain. Checks change cedar's appearance, not its structural integrity. These minor imperfections have minimal effect on the furniture's longevity. By design, surface areas have been left with a somewhat rough, unfinished surface. While not for everyone, these natural characteristics are a part of cedar's rustic appeal.

comfort

Curved seats and angled backs conform well to most body types. Also, well positioned arm rests add to the well designed ergonomics of these chairs. We found Lakeland Mills log chairs to be quite comfortable.

structural integrity

Once assembled, Lakeland Mills log chairs leave little doubts about their quality. Each part fits seamlessly into the other to create solid, secure seating. Structurally, these chairs are more than adequate for larger individuals. With proper care, you can expect them to last for many years.

3rd party certification

Lakeland Mills furniture is Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified. SFI standards require independent third-party certification audits by accredited certification bodies. These audits involve document reviews, site visits, and a final audit report. All criteria must be met prior to a certification decision. SFI certificates are issued for a five-year period. But, annual surveillance audits are required to maintain certification.

Care Instructions

Protect any outdoor pieces with a quality penetrating oil finish that has UV inhibitors. For eco-friendly options, consider low-VOC sealants. Suitable options include Seal-Once Nano+Poly or natural oils such as linseed or tung oil. Reapplying every few years will preserve the wood and make it easier to clean. To prevent greying, clean furniture periodically with with mild soap, water and bleach solution. Over time, untreated cedar furniture will weather to a silver-gray color. This is due to sun and water exposure and is a normal process for the wood. Many people find this appearance equally attractive.

our Lakeland Mills Green Rating

A variety of factors contribute to our green star rating. We evaluate products on quality, durability and value. Of course, sustainability plays a major role in our thought process. Our system rewards companies who have a history of eco-friendly business practices. Safe, responsibly sourced materials and verifiable third party sustainability certifications also increase scores. Based on this criteria, Lakeland Mills cedar furniture received a rare 5 Star Rating!

*Explore Lakeland Mills Furniture for Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Furniture Options...

Shop Lakeland Mills Cedar Furniture

Building on a Tradition

New technology has allowed for expansion of Lakeland Mills product line and market share. The company's new Thurmafusions cedar furniture has generated a considerable amount of excitement. We'll discuss...

Thumafusion Collection

Thermafusion enhances natural cedar's properties without using harsh chemicals. Applying controlled amounts of heat and steam permanently changes the structure of wood. This process creates a richer, darker appearance. But, these changes are not simply for esthetic value. Thurmafusion reduces cracking, checking and splitting. It also lessens moisture absorption, rot, and insect damage. The end result is outdoor furniture that is both durable and weather-resistant.

During our research, one possible concern was addressed. Thermafusion, like the kiln drying process, uses a considerable amount of energy. From a sustainability standpoint, this was initially a bit troubling. Yet, one could argue the longer projected lifespan offsets this concern. Thermafusion's durability should translate to replacing your furniture less often. This in and of itself is an eco-friendly benefit.

Thumafusion vs Kiln Drying

Desired outcomes for both of these processes are pretty much the same, but methods differ. Kiln drying focuses on moisture removal, ThermaFusion modifies the wood through heat. The ThermaFusion process is considered environmentally responsible because it is chemical-free. Kiln drying also does not directly involve chemical treatments. Yet, this process emits dangerous VOC's and co2 pollutants while drying. This makes Thermafusion the safer environmental choice.

Explore Thurmafusion Collection...

Final Thoughts

Overall, our experience with Lakeland Mills was outstanding! The product was delivered in a timely manor and the quality met or exceeded expectations in most categories. This company achieved a very rare 5 Star Green rating. This score is reserved for companies that adhere to the highest sustainability standards. If you are considering outdoor (or indoor) natural wood furniture, we strongly recommend Lakeland Mills!