Can you use untreated wood for picnic table?
Woods like western cedar, redwood, cypress or white oak are great non-treated alternatives to pressure-treated (PT) wood. These woods have their own properties that make them naturally resistant to insects and decay.
Softwood species like Cedar, Redwood and Douglas fir are all good options that are both weather-resistant and available at most lumber yards. These are the best woods for picnic tables because they are lightweight and extremely tough.
The only way to properly use untreated wood of any type outside is with the addition of water-repellent preservatives, sealer or paint that contain UV protection. Over-the-counter wood preservatives are available in clear versions, or with stain containing pigment or dye to color the wood.
We get this question a lot. The simple answer is yes, pressure-treated lumber can be used in any interior application except cutting boards and countertops. Some have also asked, after they've found pressure-treated lumber installed inside their homes, if there is any danger in having it indoors.
Cypress, redwood, and cedar are three softwoods that have natural moisture-wicking properties and make fine choices for outdoor furniture. But in our opinion, the best wood for outdoor furniture comes from top-of-the-line hardwoods such as ipe, mahogany, and teak.
Coat the top to seal and protect—or paint it!
If your piece is wood or another soft material, adding a protective coating could help it last longer. If you're using clear spray paint, Holmes suggests three to four coats; with a polyurethane, one to two will do the trick.
Many wood makers view polyurethane as one of the best finishes for any picnic table because it offers greater protection to the wood and does not emit harmful vapors.
If you like the look of the wood the picnic bench is made out of you may want to take the simplest of all options which is to apply three nice coats of a water-based or oil-based clear sealer. We are talking about varnish or polyurethane here. The oil based products are a little smelly, but they're incredibly durable.
Build a Square Picnic Table with Free Plans - YouTube
Untreated lumber should also be used when you're dealing with gardening, whether you're building a raised garden bed, a flowerpot, or just making mulch. Some of the chemicals used to treat wood are meant to kill insects, which means they probably won't do wonders for your soil either.
Does outdoor wood need to be pressure treated?
It is necessary but not compulsory to use pressure-treated wood for all outdoor projects. The treatment is only necessary for wood types that are not naturally resilient against insects and water damage.
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
A wooded picnic table rarely last 10 years without needing replacement slats, which might be required yearly to eliminate bleed sap.
Apply a protective sealant to your treated wood picnic table to provide protection against harsh weather conditions and the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Paint, stain, varnish or clear coat may all be used to seal treated wood.
Pine is still a good choice for outdoor furniture, it just doesn't naturally resist the elements as strongly as cedar does. Pressure-treated pine will last a long time and resist the outdoor elements.
The EPA determined that humans and animals can easily absorb CCA and that it can cause several different types of cancers. Even worse, CCA can leech out of wood that's been treated with it, thus causing a health hazard. It's for this reason that CCA treated wood should never be used for outdoor furniture.
Teak. Teak is the king of durable, outdoor woods. It's extremely rot resistant, reasonably dense and straight-grained, will not warp or crack over time, and has an attractive appearance. Teak is chiefly associated with boatbuilding.
Pine, larch, Douglas fir, western red cedar, chestnut and oak represent the most water resistant woods for exterior coverings , even without treatment. White fir and spruce will require protection to be able to last over time.
How to seal wood furniture for outdoor use - YouTube
One good way to protect your wood tables is by adding a protective finish to their surfaces. There are quite a few types of finishes available, including polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, and varnish. Each of these finishes has a different texture and appearance, so you can choose one based on your preferences.
Can I put a wooden table outside?
Any treated indoor piece will not be impervious to damaging heat, rain, and snow, so for the longest use consider placing treated indoor furniture on a covered patio or porch.
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.
Apply an even coat of water-based wood sealant to the entire table with a paintbrush. A water-repellent wood preservative is typically best, as it can protect against sun damage, mildew and termites, depending on the brand you purchase.
If you want the wood to show through on your outdoor projects, you need a clear finish. There are three basic clear finishes for outdoor furniture: exterior oil, exterior varnish, and an epoxy sealer with an exterior varnish topcoat.
How to Weatherproof a Picnic Table Staining - YouTube
Make sure to thoroughly sand any surfaces that will come in contact with people including the seats of the table and the table surface including sides. Brush off any and all loose materials and dust.
Thompson's WaterSeal | Easily Stain Your Outdoor Wood Projects
This is an important consideration to make, as the size will determine what size lumber you need and how much cutting will be involved. 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.
Standard picnic tables are usually about 72 inches wide, 59 inches deep, and around 30 inches tall. The bench will typically sit at 17 inches, giving plenty of legroom beneath the table.
| Disc. | Qty. | Size |
|---|---|---|
| table top (2x6) | 1 | 8' |
| batten (2x4) | 1 | 8' |
| legs (2x6) | 1 | 12' |
| seat support (2x6) | 1 | 10' |
Does untreated wood absorb water?
Wood can absorb water as a liquid, if in contact with it, or as vapour from the surrounding atmosphere. Although wood can absorb other liquids and gases, water is the most important. Because of its hygroscopicity, wood, either as a part of the living tree or as a material, always contains moisture.
Wet lumber will naturally dry out if given enough time. If the outdoor temperatures are above 60 degrees F, it usually takes about 4 weeks for moisture content to decrease about 4%. It might take 6-12 weeks for a 4% drop if its cold and rainy. And if it's below freezing, it might take many months.
Untreated lumber is air- or kiln-dried. The moisture in the lumber is removed by air circulation between the boards. Untreated wood is cut into boards and then stacked with stickers or consistently cut thin boards between the layers to allow air circulation.
If all you're looking for is 5 years of outdoor life, then normal untreated timber would last that long as long as it is well aired and all sides of it are able to 'breath'. If you treat it with a paint-on wood preserver, it'll last even longer.
Pressure treated lumber is no stronger than untreated lumber. The difference between the two is that pressure treated lumber will resist the elements better than untreated due to chemical preservatives added, and so will maintain its integrity in conditions that would cause normal wood to rot.
Wood should be sealed if left outdoors. Untreated lumber, exposed to the elements and moisture, is at risk of weathering and rotting over time. Lumber that has been factory pre-treated is the best to use for outdoor furniture and other exterior projects.
You simply soak the lumber in the borate solution. Most people just build a trough using 6-mil plastic sheeting. The different borate chemicals come with instructions telling you how to mix the powder with water and how long to soak the lumber.
The best way how to treat untreated wood for outdoor use is to apply a wood sealer. Thompson's Waterseal is a great choice for large areas like wooden decks and spar urethane is perfect for outdoor furniture.
A wooded picnic table rarely last 10 years without needing replacement slats, which might be required yearly to eliminate bleed sap.
Sanding pressure-treated wood is actually contraindicated because, as Sand & Stain warns, you'll end up partially removing the protective coating created by the pressure treatment, and the wood will look terrible.
How do you weatherproof a wooden picnic table?
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
If you like the look of the wood the picnic bench is made out of you may want to take the simplest of all options which is to apply three nice coats of a water-based or oil-based clear sealer. We are talking about varnish or polyurethane here. The oil based products are a little smelly, but they're incredibly durable.
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.
Build a Square Picnic Table with Free Plans - YouTube
Strong and Easy Picnic Table - Free Plans - YouTube
This is an important consideration to make, as the size will determine what size lumber you need and how much cutting will be involved. 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.
Although treated wood is protected against decay and termite attack, the application of a water-repellent sealer to all exposed wood surfaces is recommended upon completion of construction. This sealer will help control surface checking (splitting or cracking) and provide an attractive appearance.
Sealers may be applied to pressure-treated wood as soon as the surface no longer looks wet. The sealer offers a degree of water repellency and color to outdoor wood without forming a thick coating on the surface. It will also allow any remaining moisture to slowly leave wood after the coating has been applied.
Allow the wood to dry 24 hours before applying stain.
