Making a DIY Splash

Why Real Cedar Was the Right Material for This DIY Jumping Tower

When Cottage Coach Adam Holman set out to build a backyard jumping tower, he knew exactly what he wanted: something safe, something beautiful, and something that would last through endless summers of cannonballs and pool parties. What he didn’t want? A build that felt flimsy, temporary, or out of place in the natural landscape.

That’s why he chose Real Cedar.

“Cedar is the cream of the crop,” Holman says. “It’s what everybody wants to use. You’re getting a durable, reliable product when you’re working with cedar.”

For a structure like this—bolted directly into bedrock and exposed to water, sun, and foot traffic—durability matters. Real Cedar is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects, making it an ideal material for any outdoor build.

Photo Courtesy of Cottage Coach

Built for Creative Freedom

The final tower features a striking two-tone finish, combining dark stained elements with natural Western Red Cedar. Thanks to cedar’s pitch- and resin-free properties, it takes and holds a wide range of finishes beautifully, giving builders the freedom to get creative.

“I wanted to paint and stain some of it, but not the whole thing,” Holman explains. “So I left a bit of it bare wood, which is totally fine as well. When you use Western Red Cedar and you just leave it as it is, it gets this nice silvery gray color. I also wanted to stain a little bit of it to make it kind of blend in with the other structures in my backyard.”

It’s a subtle design choice, but one that reflects how well Western Red Cedar plays with contrast and complements other natural materials. That kind of versatility makes it a favorite among both DIYers and professionals—especially those who want to bring their own personality to a project.

“I feel like I have more control when I work with cedar,” he says. “With composite materials, you’re kind of stuck to their dimensions. And with cedar, you have whatever your imagination can create—you can build it with cedar.”

The DIYer’s Dream Material

Real Cedar isn’t just beautiful—it’s a dream to build with. It’s easy to handle, forgiving on cuts, and takes fasteners exceptionally well without the splitting or cracking that can plague other materials.

“It’s super lightweight,” Holman says. “I’ve picked up 4x4s, and you can carry multiple of them. It doesn’t split when you’re screwing into it.”

It’s also practical. Unlike manmade materials, which can retain heat and become uncomfortable to walk on, Western Red Cedar stays cool underfoot—a big deal for a structure built specifically for barefoot kids.

“Using something like composite would just be way too hot for the kids’ feet,” Holman points out.

And then there’s the part that doesn’t show up in product specs—but every builder notices.

“As funny as it sounds, it smells so good to work with,” Holman laughs. “When you cut cedar, it has that smell. Everyone says that, too. Everyone’s always like, ‘The smell of cedar.’”

Photo Courtesy of Cottage Coach

A Smarter Environmental Choice

Beyond looks and performance, Real Cedar also stands out as one of the most sustainable building materials available. Responsibly harvested from certified forests, Western Red Cedar is renewable, biodegradable, and naturally low-impact—making it the ideal material for projects designed to blend into the natural landscape.

“Cedar is great,” Holman says. “You’re taking something that’s already in the environment and reusing it essentially.”

For Holman, that balance between natural beauty, long-term function, creative freedom, and eco-consciousness made Real Cedar the obvious choice for his jumping tower build. And as the video shows, it’s a material that doesn’t just meet expectations—it elevates the entire project.

Watch the full video above to see how it all came together—and why Real Cedar continues to be the go-to for builders who care about quality, character, and craftsmanship.