I'm planning to build an outdoor cedar table and I've been checking out local lumber suppliers. I found one that specializes in cedar, charging about $37.20 for an 8-foot 2x6. Then I looked online and saw that Home Depot sells the same size for just $18.38! I want to support local businesses, but the price difference is hard to ignore. I'm okay with some imperfections, so I wonder if cedar from big box stores is decent quality. Has anyone used cedar boards from Home Depot or Lowe's for furniture? How do they hold up?
3 Answers
I've used cedar from both Home Depot and Lowe's, and I found that while you can find decent boards if you search, some batches can be warped or not as thick as you’d hope. For something you want to last, I’d suggest checking out more specialized lumber suppliers—they might have better stock for furniture.
There are definitely different grades of cedar, and it's likely you’re comparing common grade from Home Depot with FAS or Select from your local shop. If you’re okay with some knots and imperfections, letting the local shop know might help you get a better price or quality. They often have better stock for furniture-building.
Honestly, if you’re looking to build furniture, the stuff from Home Depot is usually pretty wet and not great. For fences, sure, but for an outdoor table? Nah, you'll want something better. The local place is likely offering higher-grade cedar, which could make a big difference in the long run.
Totally agree! I find that the quality at local lumberyards is worth it for furniture. You might pay a bit more, but it you need something that will last.
Exactly! Plus, you might end up wasting a lot of boards from big box stores trying to find ones that work for furniture.