Hey everyone! I'm considering building a bed frame and was wondering if covering construction lumber with hardwood boards is a viable option. Lumber prices are quite high, and hardwoods even more so! I'm thinking of using some 2x6s and covering them with thin ash boards if I can find a good deal. Then I'd stain them for a nicer look. What do you think? Are there any downsides to this approach? I haven't found much information online. I'm planning to create a panel from the boards before attaching them to the pine core. Is there anything specific I should keep in mind? Also, if you have other ideas to make an affordable bed frame look better, I'm all ears! Just for context, I live in Finland, and hardwood is imported and far away, but pine and spruce are quite cheap here.
2 Answers
It's definitely possible, but be careful about how you assemble everything. Gluing thin boards over construction lumber might cause issues since they can move at different rates. Instead, consider using hardwood veneered plywood; it's cheaper, a lot less work, and more stable overall. For the inner parts and slats, you can use any cheap material you like.
I hear you! Just yesterday I got a decent quote for some ash planks. Just have to make a 4-hour round trip to pick them up. At least I get to check out their warehouse and maybe grab some scrap wood too.
Sounds like a fun project! I was initially thinking of a similar design for my bed frame, but I'm still figuring out the details. Just make sure to incorporate a strong headboard if you're going that route! Keep us updated with your progress!
Yeah, I agree with that! Plywood would be much more stable and saves a lot of time in the long run.