I'm considering making an outdoor table, but cedar is costing me around $400 for an 8x3 table, which kind of defeats the point of building it myself to save money. If I go with premium grade Douglas Fir or Pine, it could cost me only a third or a quarter of that. I know cedar is a great rot-resistant choice, but I'm curious about how well Douglas Fir or Pine holds up when treated with oil, sealer, or poly. Has anyone here built outdoor furniture with these woods that has survived rain and sun? Any good personal experiences?
4 Answers
I've built a whole set of outdoor furniture out of pine and sealed it well. It held up great for three years before I gave it a good cleaning and resealed it, and it looked as good as new after that. So, I think with a solid finish, you can make it last!
I have a small patio table that's over 35 years old made of Douglas Fir. I finished it with Deks Olja and have just lightly resanded and recoated it a few times over the years, and it's still standing strong! Just a heads up, though—be careful with big box store fir because some of it is mixed with hemlock, which rots easily.
I used to make picnic tables from Douglas Fir, painted with outdoor paint, and they lasted over 10 years with heavy use by kids and grandkids. Still in great shape! It's all about the treatment you use to protect the wood from the elements.
Absolutely! I’ve had a bench made of untreated 2x4s sealed with poly, and it's still in perfect condition after 6 months outside. It gets a lot of rain exposure too! Just remember, penetrating oils are key for longevity. Avoid any paint or film finishes unless it’s sheltered.
Totally agree on that! Penetrating oil is way better for the long haul.
Definitely true, Deks Olja is a great finish! It makes a huge difference.