Wood suggestion for outdoor chairs in MO - Woodworking Talk

sander · 09-10-2008, 12:34 PM

I am planning on building a set of adirondack chairs that will be left outside all year in Missouri weather. What wood should I use? What is the best and what is the best bang for the buck.

Thanks

cabinetman · 09-10-2008, 12:42 PM

There are a few choices that work well. White Oak, Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood are within a similar budget depending on your sources. As for best bang for the buck, that is a matter of how you view each specie for its qualities, and appearance. There are other species that hold up well outdoors, but their cost may be too high.

skymaster · 09-10-2008, 12:43 PM

white oak, Ipe, Teak all very good. Also real mahogany. PT for cheap

Terry Beeson · 09-10-2008, 02:36 PM

I see a lot of ERCedar chairs that with proper finish and care stay very nice outdoors in the Ozarks. Cypress is good as well. Both of those would be economical around here. I like WRCedar as well, but a bit more expensive.

I have a couple of Adirondaks, a table, bench, and a dining table all made of Pressure Treated that have been outside for about eight years and with no problems.

One big suggestion for you... SCREWS..... NO NAILS.... You'll be happy if you use deck screws for the project rather than nails.

sander · 09-10-2008, 03:37 PM

I made a prototype out of PT and it's been good other than some splitting around the screw holes.

What is the difference between WR and ER cedar?

Terry Beeson · 09-10-2008, 05:45 PM

Eastern Red Cedar or Aeromatic cedar is what most people associate with cedar. I would associate it with cedar chests.

Western Red Cedar, to me, looks more like redwood. I would WRC more in things like planters and commercial outdoor furniture. I've seen and built a lot of birdhouses and bird feeders with it as well.

Both have good outdoor/weather/ground/insect properties.

sander · 09-10-2008, 06:44 PM

Thanks!

dirtclod · 09-13-2008, 11:18 AM

Also check out black locust, osage and northern catalpa. Two are native to your region and it's likely there has been a lot of black locust planted in your area. Check with your local sawmills.