Great Tips When Making Outdoor Furniture

By Adriana J. Noton

The main difference between standard indoor furniture and outdoor furniture is that the latter is constructed with the weather in mind. With changes in weather, especially humidity, factored in the design, successful products will last through the years. Let us find what some of the things are that master craftsmen do when making these products.

Experienced woodworkers know that there are types of wood that work great outdoors. If you are able to source them, the best wood for such projects are tropical species. Such include teak and mahogany because they contain oils that repel water or discourage the growth of decay-causing micro-organisms.

Pressure-treated wood can also be used in outside applications. Such wood is impregnated with poison that deters the growth of bacteria. This makes the wooden fibers unpalatable to bacteria and fungi, thus preventing rot to develop.

Be aware that not all pressure treated wood is the same. Those with an LP-2 rating are the types of wood that should not be used for applications that require direct contact with water. A rating of LP-22 is recommended for immersed applications, while LP-2 is suitable for most outdoor chairs and tables.

Aside from promoting wood rot, moisture causes corrosion in metal. That means that nails and screws for outdoor use affect the structural integrity of the product. The metal for outdoor grade fixtures has been treated to make them resistant to corrosion. A common treatment is galvanization. Galvanized nails, hinges, and screw are dipped in zinc during the manufacturing and will make them resistant to rusting when exposed to freshwater.

Exterior applications, where there is exposure to seawater, require more robust materials. Galvanized fixtures will not last long and will corrode in months. Stainless steel and brass are the best materials for nails and hinges used in such an environment.

Experienced craftsmen always account for wood expansion when it becomes moist. For every foot across the grain, there is an accompanying quarter inch expansion. When your construction plan does not account for changes in width when wood becomes moist, such will result in a failed structure.

Another technique passed down through the ages is to never expose end grain to rain. Wood is very porous at its ends. When such cannot be avoided, cut it at an angle so that it sheds water faster.

An effective way of constructing tables for outdoor use is to leave spaces between the boards. The usual spacing usually ranges from a quarter to half an inch. Aside from allowing wood to expand, the spaces permit water to drain faster.

For legs of tables and chairs, end grain should be sealed in order to prevent them from soaking up water. A common practice is to seal end grain with wax or paraffin. Varnish is an effective substitute.

The techniques used by experienced craftsmen in the past when making outdoor furniture has been passed down through the ages. Most of them are plain common sense. When you incorporate such accumulated knowledge in your projects, you and your children will surely enjoy them through the years.

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