When thinking about outdoor furniture, never forget that the weather will surely have a great effect on their longevity. As we all well know, the weather constantly changes and such should be considered when designing exterior furnishings. A lot of things have been learned by hundred of craftsmen through the ages and it will surely worth your while to know some techniques of outdoor project construction.

Experienced woodworkers know that there are types of wood that work great outdoors. If you are able to source them, the best wood for such projects are tropical species. Such include teak and mahogany because they contain oils that repel water or discourage the growth of decay-causing micro-organisms.

When naturally-resistant wood is hard to get, pressure treated lumber is a good alternative. Treated wood are injected with poison. The wood becomes unpalatable to fungi and bacteria that causes decay.

Not all treatments are the same. Those with a rating of LP-2 are good enough for making furniture. They should not be used in water immersed applications instead a rating of LP-22 or higher should be used.

Moisture in wood, aside from causing decay, will corrode attached metals such as nails, hinges, and screws. For outdoor use, metals should be treated accordingly. Everyday nails and screws will only rust and discolor wood and worse, will eventually weaken the structure. A common treatment for metals to make them suitable for exterior applications is galvanizing. A coating of zinc is applied to the metal. This makes them resistant to corrosion but only in applications exposed to freshwater

For furniture that needs to be exposed to salt water, more robust materials are required. Stainless steel and brass are the most common metals for wood fixtures in environments exposed to salt. This is only natural because these kinds of metals are used in nautical applications.

Wood expands when moist and contracts when dry. For every 12 inches across the grain, expect wood to expand by a quarter on an inch when moist. When expansion is not considered, it will surely lead to failure later on when too much stress accumulates in the structure.

Another design consideration is to never directly expose end grain. Wood is very porous at the ends and will surely suck in moisture. When such is unavoidable, cut the ends at an angle in order to shed wetness faster.

An effective way of constructing tables for outdoor use is to leave spaces between the boards. The usual spacing usually ranges from a quarter to half an inch. Aside from allowing wood to expand, the spaces permit water to drain faster.

For legs of tables and chairs, end grain should be sealed in order to prevent them from soaking up water. A common practice is to seal end grain with wax or paraffin. Varnish is an effective substitute.

The techniques mentioned have been acquired by craftsmen of the past. They have been found to be effective that is why they are still practiced today. You should use them in your projects to ensure that future generations will enjoy them the same way you do today.

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