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The Patio Blog – Champaign

Why American Wood Furniture Isn’t the Best.
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
I saw an attractive $7000 handmade solid oak table at a home show the other day. In it’s own way it was fairly breathtaking. If you like rustic furniture you would have liked it a lot. It seemed immense and I could envision a local craftsman toiling away to make it. However, it was not the Ferrari of wood furniture, and to me at least for what it cost it should have been.
It pains me to say this, but when it comes to American wood furniture, we’re not always using the best materials or methods. Too often, we rely on softwoods like pine, which are cheap but prone to twisting, warping, and decaying quickly. On the other hand, while the “best American-made furniture” uses harder woods, we’re still not tapping into some of the vastly superior wood species available in other countries that could elevate our standards. Additionally, American manufacturers often fall into one of two extremes—focusing on either skilled manual craftsmanship or robotic manufacturing for speed and cost savings. The true potential lies in combining top-tier CNC machining with artisans who know their craft, and using the best materials to take furniture construction to a whole new level of quality and precision.
THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN WOOD FURNITURE
Historically, the very best American furniture was built from American hardwoods—American Walnut for its beauty and American Oak for its strength & durability. These materials were chosen not only for their superior properties but also because they were abundant. Over time, however, most furniture manufacturers began prioritizing cost-cutting over craftsmanship, leading to the use of cheaper and lower-quality materials (like pine and particle board) in an effort to stay competitive in the race to offer the lowest price. Today, a select group of manufacturers (like Stickley for example) still rely on hardwoods like American Walnut and Oak, but there’s actually another wood that’s a vastly superior choice for the very best furniture.
THE HARDEST HARDWOOD
Brazilian Walnut, though exotic and more expensive than traditional hardwoods, offers near-magical qualities that make it far superior in terms of both durability and beauty. With the same fire rating as concrete and steel, this material boasts the same stunning appearance as American Walnut but is nearly three times harder, dimensionally stable, and more durable than American Oak! This makes it an ideal choice for high-end furniture that’s built to last a lifetime—or even longer. When you want the very best in beautiful natural wood furniture, Brazilian Walnut is obviously the material of choice.
In the furniture industry, the hardness of wood plays a critical role in its durability. In general, the harder the wood, the better—especially for pieces that will see years of use and wear. Brazilian Walnut’s exceptional hardness simply puts it in another class, making it the ideal choice for building stunning long-lasting furniture. To put it into perspective, here’s a look at the Janka hardness ratings of some different wood options and you’ll clearly see what I mean:
American Pine: 380
American Walnut: 1010
American Oak: 1290
Brazilian Walnut: 3490
WORLDS FINEST WOOD FURNITURE
And now a word from our sponsor. Our Jensen Collection (assembled in America) takes full advantage of Brazilian Walnut’s superior properties, featuring Brazilian Walnut frames, paired with Commercial-Grade Sunbrella & Ultra-Leather Fabrics, and Moisture Resistant Reticulated Foam Cushions. Every piece is painstakingly made with the perfect melding of Award-Winning Human Artistry paired with the most Advanced Robotic Machined Precision, ensuring that you receive the Highest-Quality Furniture Available.
With the combination of Brazilian Walnut’s unmatched durability plus premium craftsmanship, the Jensen Collection represents the absolute pinnacle of luxury and performance in wood furniture. Jensen Page

Sustainable Patio Furniture?
JANUARY 23, 2025
There’s been a lot of back-and-forth lately about how truly ‘green’ green technology really is. Some argue that it’s more about optics than impact, while others swear by the positive changes it’s driving. This article dives into two clear trends in our business that are actually making a tangible, positive impact on the environment, beyond the hype.
RECYCLED PLASTIC IN OUR POLY FURNITURE
When it comes to our poly offerings, Cardinal has always been committed to providing customers with high-quality patio furniture that withstands the test of time. Recently, our focus on sustainability has led our Champaign store to become the Largest Dealer of Poly Furniture in the Midwest. For those unfamiliar with poly, it’s made from recycled plastic (HDPE #2)—specifically, plastic beverage bottles and soap containers. This innovative material is strong, durable, and can last outdoors for 20-25 years, all while offering the same aesthetic appeal of traditional wood furniture.
What first drew us to poly furniture was its exceptional performance—it’s resistant to weather, fading, and general wear and tear. But as we continued to learn more about its benefits, we realized just how much of a difference it could make on a larger scale. By repurposing recycled plastic, we’re reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. In fact, a single large poly furniture set (weighing about 500 pounds) can be made from the equivalent of 3,500 milk jugs worth of plastic. That’s a lot of plastic that doesn’t have to sit in a landfill, and we’re proud to be part of a solution that contributes to a healthier planet.
SUSTAINABLY FORRESTED WOOD IN OUR LUXURY FURNITURE
One of the most exciting developments is the introduction of our new indoor / outdoor furniture line (Jensen), which uses Brazilian Walnut, sourced sustainably from Bulgaria. Brazilian Walnut (Ipe), is an exceptional wood—beautiful, strong, and incredibly durable. While many high-end American wood furniture makers traditionally use American Walnut for its striking aesthetic, it’s Brazilian Walnut cousin offers the same visual appeal with over three times the hardness, dimensional stability, and durability of its American counterpart. This makes it an ideal choice for heirloom-quality furniture that is meant to be passed down through generations. This wood can last over 50 years outside with zero maintenance, just think how long you and your descendants could enjoy it indoors.
What makes Brazilian Walnut especially impressive isn’t just its strength or beauty, though—it’s the sustainable way it’s harvested. Brazil and Bulgaria have strict regulations in place to protect these precious forests. As part of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) program, the harvesting process is closely monitored to ensure that only a small percentage of trees—no more than 1%—are taken each year, and only those over 100 years old. This careful management helps ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy these forests while also supporting local economies.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
We believe that environmental sustainability doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality—in fact, it often enhances it.

Growing Our Champaign Store
JANUARY 10, 2025
The last 5 years have been crazy. The past few years have been nothing short of a whirlwind. We’ve faced global lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and massive inflation, yet thanks to the unwavering support of our wonderful customers, Cardinal has not only survived but thrived. Many of our competitors are no longer in business, and we are deeply grateful for the trust and loyalty our customers have shown us during such challenging times.
Two years ago, we were honored to be recognized as the Fastest-Growing Berlin Gardens Furniture Dealer Nationally. This success allowed us to purchase and move into a much bigger 25,000 Square-Foot Location last year, providing more customers: greater visibility, more display space, more inventory, and easy access to nearby towns. We are now blessed to have the Largest Selection of Poly Patio Furniture in the Midwest, and plan to continue to offer an ever increasing selection. This last winter we expanded our product line to offer the finest indoor outdoor wood furniture (see article above), changed our name to “Cardinal Patio Furniture”, and built a brand new website from scratch. Right now we’re finishing up our building’s Facade & Parking, to ensure a more convenient and welcoming experience for everyone.
To all our Valued Customers – Your Support has made all of this possible, and we’re excited for what the future holds. Thank You!
Check Out Our Store | Champaign IL
Discover the finest right here in Champaign, Illinois. Cardinal Patio Furniture is the Midwest’s Largest Poly Furniture Store, with Illinois’s premier selection of Brazilian Walnut Indoor Luxury Furniture. Is the best for you?