What is the best type of wood to use for building a picnic table?
I am building 2 picnic tables for an eagle scout project and was wondering what the cheapest good wood is?
Redwood is too expensive… I need something cheaper.
It is an outdoor picnic table.
I was wondering if treated lumber is really that bad? because if i paint or stain it, i will be covering up the "poisonous" stuff… it is also by far the cheapest i think.
If you know the average price of the wood you recommend, could you please tell me that.
7 Responses
rich under const
07 Jun 2010
Luther S
07 Jun 2010
I would go for an oak lumber. you can get treated, but i would stain it just in case anything is left on it. we have had one for 6 years that we built out of oak.
That One Girl
07 Jun 2010
When shopping for ply wood look for something with many layers. The more the better. Also check for any cracks. A decent piece will cost about $30. You can make a table per piece of wood. It’s a long explanation so if you want to know how, e-mail me your e-mail address and I can send you a picture with dimensions.
Get some linseed oil. It will make the wood water proof in a natural and still good looking way. Put about 2-3 even coats on. Each coat will take about 2-3 days to dry. If I remember right a gallon (you can make several things out of a gallon) will cost about $20.
shawnd518
07 Jun 2010
If your going to stain it, just use pine or spruce.
peppersham
07 Jun 2010
A standard 2×4 or 2×6 makes a great table.The 2×4 average $2.19 each depends on what type of pine you buy.For an outdoor table I would just get the standard 2×4’s and stain them redwood color.
Michelle
07 Jun 2010
oak is expensive you 2×10 doug fir you can paint it and it will take paint fine and is the least expensive long term option
Gary S
07 Jun 2010
Yes you can use treated lumber. If you use 2x6x8 lumber it will make a nice table for your project. As far as price, that seems to change every time I go to buy it. Not much but always seems to be different. I would say for around $60.00- $80.00 you can do this. When you buy your wood be sure to mention that this is a scout project and most all places will discount or donate at least some of the wood. I would paint the table when done and it will last for years, just be sure to do the bottom of the legs real good. Good luck and have fun.
Pressure treated lumber for outdoor use would be the best pick. And it is not too expensive.
Another idea would be to mix the species of wood by using pressure treated for the structure and a natural rot resistant lumber such as cedar, redwood or cypress for the seat and top. The added cost would then not be so drastic.
As far as painting or staining the picnic table, it is recommended to let the wood leach out any moisture or chemicals first. You could get around this problem by going to a lumber yard and ask to hand pick the pressure treated and/or cedar lumber from a stack that has been exposed to the sun for a while.
I would recommend a tinted stain or solid pigment stain followed by a lacquer finish.
One more detail: Pressure treated lumber no longer is made with "poison". They quit selling wood made with arsenic called CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) on Dec. 31st, 2003.
Good luck with your picnic table project!