Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on the best type of wood to use for lifeguard chairs my son is building for his Eagle Scout project. These chairs will be located outdoors on concrete near a pool in Houston, mostly in the sun. We're using 2x4s and 1x4s, and planning to paint them white. Should we go with regular pine or pressure-treated wood? I'm concerned about safety since the scouts will be sanding the wood, and I've heard pressure-treated wood can be wet and needs to dry out before painting, which might not fit our schedule since we want to get everything painted and built right away. We built one of each type for approval, but the pressure-treated one is pretty soaked. We're also considering using plastic chair slides to keep the base off the wet concrete.
Also, quick aside: when it comes to sanding and painting, is it better to do that before assembling the chairs or after? I've tried looking this up online, but most of the info I found was pretty unhelpful. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
I would lean towards using white oak. It's pretty strong and you can finish it with something like spar varnish or a good marine paint for extra protection. Plus, make sure you use waterproof glue like Titebond III. You want the chairs to be able to withstand the outdoor conditions, especially being near the water. Good luck with your project!
You don't really need pressure-treated wood since there's no ground contact involved. Regular untreated lumber will work just as well. If you're working from a plan, just make sure the size of the 2x4s is adequate for the height. As for the painting process, I recommend priming the wood first, assembling it, and then adding a couple of coats of good-quality exterior paint for longevity.
I'd suggest using teak or cypress for durability since they handle outdoor conditions really well. They're both rot-resistant options that will stand up to sun and moisture. However, they can be pricey, so definitely keep that in mind if you're budgeting. If you're stuck on pine, just remember you won’t need to sand too much. Just be sure to prime the wood before painting to get a good finish!