How To Build A Modern Picnic Table (2024)

FAQs

How many boards does it take to make a picnic table? ›

For instance, an average-sized table requires fifteen 2 x 6 boards that are 72 inches long and seven 2 x 4 boards that are 30 inches long.

Purchase durable lumber for the project.

To make an average-sized table, buy: 15 boards that are 2 × 6 × 72 in (5.1 × 15.2 × 182.9 cm). 7 boards that are 2 × 4 × 30 in (5.1 × 10.2 × 76.2 cm)

Hardwood or pressure-treated boards are a popular choice. Pressure-treated lumber is easy to stain, durable and budget-friendly. You can also use cedar or cypress boards, but these can require a higher upfront investment.

The length of a picnic table for six adults is about six feet. This allows each adult 24 inches of personal space. Picnic tables designed for eight adults are typically eight feet long. Picnic table height, from ground to tabletop, ranges from 28 to 32 inches.

It is crucial to have gaps for outdoor table tops so that water can drain through. You would want a gap of 1/8” between each board.

Building a picnic table is an easy task that makes the perfect weekend project without breaking the bank. Start by constructing the table and bench tops, followed by the leg systems. The half-lap joints on the legs are easy to create and add a touch of charm.

Red cedar, redwood and Douglas fir are great choices for picnic tables. You would not even need to apply a finish to those species if you did not want to do so. (Although I would recommend “packing” any end grain that will have constant contact with the ground with a wiped-on coat of epoxy.

Treated wood is used for decks, mailbox and light posts, swing sets and playscapes, picnic tables, landscape ties, underwater dock pilings, oceanside boardwalks, telephone utility poles and, believe it or not, residential building foundations in some parts of the country!

Wooden Picnic Tables - Wood is always a classic and a favorite material for picnic tables. There's cedar, teak, pine, and eucalyptus. Occasionally walnut and oak are also used but are far more expensive.

How long do wooden picnic tables last? ›

Wooden picnic tables typically require regular maintenance and repairs, rarely lasting more than 10 years.

While the original and most common material for picnic tables is wooden boards, they may be made anything from split logs to concrete to recycled HDPE plastic. The frame, benches and platform may also be made of different materials.

An epoxy sealer with exterior varnish topcoats is the most durable, but also the most labor-intensive finish you can apply to outdoor furniture.

Stain it! Not only does stain update the look of your picnic table, but it extends its life, giving you more years of enjoyment around it. Staining a picnic table doesn't take professional skill or a large budget - it's a simple project you can do yourself.

A water-repellent wood preservative is typically best, as it can protect against sun damage, mildew and termites, depending on the brand you purchase. In most cases, it is best to avoid oil-based sealants, as they can trap moisture in the wood, which will eventually cause the table to rot.

The industry standard is 18 inches of seat space per person, so a 6ft rectangular picnic table can seat 8 people. This will vary depending on the size of the people sitting; kids will require less than 18 inches and larger adults may require more.

A wooded picnic table rarely last 10 years without needing replacement slats, which might be required yearly to eliminate bleed sap. Recycled plastic picnic tables typically last 15 years or more with no maintenance except slight cleaning.

Most oval picnic tables are 71 to 88 inches long, with a width of 46 to 58 inches and a height of 31 inches.

Legs: Cut the top and bottom of each of the two-by-eights to 22 degrees, each. The angles should be parallel to each other.

What is the best surface for an outdoor table? ›

Tempered glass. Tempered glass is very tough and an ideal material for outdoor dining table surfaces and coffee tables. It is very resistant to both UV and high temperatures, won't fade or crack over time and is very easy to clean.

With all these things in mind, you can rest assured that the number one reason your patio furniture is expensive is that it's made with a long-lasting, weather-resistant material.

Table bases made from stainless steel are better suited for outdoor use than are cast iron and steel bases. Our stainless steel models are made from commercial grade 304 stainless steel, the same used to make high end kitchen appliances.

Begin by cleaning your picnic table with soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Sand the table to make sure the surface is splinter-free and then rinse after sanding. Allow the surface to dry before painting.

Outdoor furniture is easy to make with cedar or pressure treated lumber that won't fall apart in the rain or snow. You even can give your table a bright pop of color with a few coats of exterior paint!

Insects and mold are less likely to make their home on a painted surface. However, paint will eventually deteriorate, so another layer of protection is necessary for outdoor use. An exterior-grade, oil-based polyurethane is ESSENTIAL.

That's an easy one: The answer is a resounding yes. Though outdoor furniture can be crafted from a variety of materials, just about any furniture set will benefit from getting covered up for winter hibernation. Although, if you live in a climate that's moderate and dry all year round, we take that back.

Is Pressure-Treated Wood Safe? Yes, pressure-treated wood is safe for use in everything from raised garden beds to children's playhouses. Before 2003, pressure-treated lumber was often treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a preservative containing some amount of poisonous arsenic.

Left in their natural, unfinished state, most woods deteriorate quickly when exposed to outdoor environments. However, there are several species that have naturally occurring chemicals that help them shrug off harsh weather and insects.

When should you not use pressure treated wood? ›

Any location where pets and kids spend time regularly should be built with non-treated wood. This includes play sets, decks, raised beds in gardens, and more. Using a naturally rot-resistant wood, like cedar is a better compromise that is potentially putting your loved ones at risk for serious health problems.

Use an outdoor-rated finish like polyurethane, epoxy, lacquer, or varnish. Make a natural oil finish with one part tung or linseed oil, one part mineral spirits, and one part polyurethane. Use a stain sealant combo that gives your wood some color and a durable finish all in one.

Pine costs less and is strong enough for interior walls and ceilings. But it's also prone to splitting and warping, especially if it isn't pressure-treated. Cedar is stronger, pest-resistant, and doesn't require the use of chemicals. But it doesn't do well when constantly exposed to moisture.

The best cut for outdoor use is quarter sawn. This cut minimizes the warping, twisting, expanding, and contracting. When wood is plain sawn, (literally sliced vertically down) changes in humidity make the warping and twisting run horizontally, meaning the width of the table shifts.

Keep your wooden picnic table clean. The best way to do this is to first brush and then wipe down your picnic table with a cloth moistened with a mild soap and water solution after each use and then rinse well. At times the table may require a deeper clean to remove nasty stains.

The story goes back centuries to a simple fabric you know as gingham. Gingham is easy to make, durable, and inexpensive. Both sides are identical, so you can flip it over when some barbecue sauce drips on it.

The average picnic table will weigh between 80-250 pounds, with Plastic picnic tables being at the lower end and some wooden tables between 100 and 250 pounds. Commercial-grade metal picnic tables can be the most durable and weigh between 220 and upwards of 500 pounds.

Draw a 60-degree angle at each end of the legs using a pencil and combination square, then cut with a circular saw.

Treated wood is used for decks, mailbox and light posts, swing sets and playscapes, picnic tables, landscape ties, underwater dock pilings, oceanside boardwalks, telephone utility poles and, believe it or not, residential building foundations in some parts of the country!

Should I use pressure treated wood for picnic table? ›

So, yes, pressure treated wood is safe to use for your outdoor furniture, including picnic tables and chairs, benches, and so forth. We recommend using ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) treated wood as it's been found to be the safest.

It is crucial to have gaps for outdoor table tops so that water can drain through. You would want a gap of 1/8” between each board.

Seats: 4 two-by-sixes to 72 inches. Legs: 4 two-by-eights to 30 inches. Lower Leg Cross Braces: 2 two-by-eights to 60 inches. Upper Leg Cross Braces: 2 two-by-fours to 30 inches.

The ideal distance from the edge of the table is 2 inches. Keep all four corners consistent to ensure a sturdy mount.

We recommend a minimum of 12" from the end of the table for end seating legroom. Then, for the sides of the table, the gold standard is to give each person 24" for each place setting. For the width of the table, you'll want the footprint of the base (width at bottom) to be minimum 2/3 of the top.

Ironbark, Vic Ash, Redgum and Merbau can be all classified as hardwoods and are regularly used to make hardwood tables.. Treated Pine and Cypress can be classified as softwoods. There are plenty more timbers to choose from like cedar, jarrah and many others that are also suitable for picnic tables.