Hey folks! I'm in the process of building an outdoor couch and want to paint or stain it to blend with my other outdoor decor. My question is, if I'm applying a protective coat, do I still need to use pressure treated wood? I'd love to use cedar, but I can't find it in the necessary 4x4 post lengths. Any insights?
3 Answers
I would steer clear of pressure treated wood for furniture because it's usually pretty wet and can crack as it dries. If you can only find 1x4s, try laminating them together to make your own 4x4s. It's a bit more involved, but it’s worth it to avoid any issues with the wood's core.
You actually don't need pressure treated wood for furniture like this. Coatings like paint or stain can help protect the wood, but they don't completely seal it off from moisture. If you can get your hands on some rot-resistant wood like redwood or cedar, that’d be a great choice! Just remember, no wood will last forever outside, even the best finishes wear out eventually.
It all boils down to how long you want the furniture to last. Untreated wood might only survive a few years outdoors without any treatment. Using a good exterior paint will significantly extend its life. A few coats of spar urethane can help too, but you'll need to maintain it over time. You could even consider composite materials, which last a really long time and require almost zero upkeep!