Hello everyone. I am a new homeowner, and I recently had a wood deck built. I'm interested in building some DIY deck furniture, but I don't know where to start. From research, cedar seems to be the go to lumber for patio furniture. My local Lowe's and Home Depot do not carry 2x4 cedar, and of the 2 privately owned lumberyards in my area, one had only 4 2x4x10 in stock and both places are very pricy (I don't know how much cedar should cost). Rough sawn #2 cedar is $14-$17, and clear (I'm not 100% on the definition for clear, but I'm assuming it is premium quality with less knots etc.) is $37-$40. My deck is 24x20 so ideally i would would like to build 3-4 of the 2x4 couches Ana White built. Are these the going prices for cedar lumber?
I saw on Home Depot site that they have 2x4x8 cedar for about $10, but very few store actually have it in stock (The closest store in 47 miles away, and they only have 24 in stock). So the project requires 11 2x4x10 per couch plus 1-3 just-in-case, that would make 52 studs or $2000 from the lumberyard. I was hoping to save money with DIY deck furniture...
Could I build the couches with SPF from the box stores, then seal it and paint it with exterior latex paint? Does anyone have any experience with this and how long these furniture would last? (I live in PA)
Or is $2000 on cedar really worth it? Do I buy rough sawn or S4S?
Thanks in advance!
nick91884
Thu, 06/25/2015 - 23:05
Cedar and redwood are
Cedar and redwood are naturally rot and pest resistant without adding any chemicals like treated wood. you can use pine or whatever local studwood to build all this stuff, its untreaded, it may not last as long if the wood is left bare but if you are going to stain and seal or paint them then use the cheap stuff, or spend a little more and get #1 of the pine or whitewood. it works the same, cedar and redwood are great if the wood will be in direct contact with the ground otherwise dont stress about it. you will get plenty of years out of even the cheapest wood. and #2 can be sanded and prettied up, just be picky about the boards you choose, look for straight boards with as few imperfections as possible, the ugly stuff can be used for furniture too to give it character or is good for framing stuff where it wont be visible. have fun!