Thread: Outdoor furniture timber + finish

Originally Posted by qwertyu

Looking for suggestions for light coloured outdoor furniture timber. Thinking maybe oregon or silvertop ash. Any other suggestions (on a budget)?

What type of finish would you do? Ideally keep it light coloured.

Depends on the use, weather aspect, amount of direct sun, exposure to rain etc, but Oregon aka Douglas Fir? Not a chance! White Cypress (aka Australian Cypress or Callitris columellaris) is a better choice, and IMO a very attractive timber that works well as long as you don't try to nail it (splits). 40 years above ground, 25 years in ground.

As for a finish that will look good (on anything)....how often are you prepared to apply another coat?

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Depends on the use, weather aspect, amount of direct sun, exposure to rain etc, but Oregon aka Douglas Fir? Not a chance! White Cypress (aka Australian Cypress or Callitris columellaris) is a better choice, and IMO a very attractive timber that works well as long as you don't try to nail it (splits). 40 years above ground, 25 years in ground.

As for a finish that will look good (on anything)....how often are you prepared to apply another coat?

can cypress get got dried? I read that it should be dried before applying oils and most of the stuff that is sold, from what I understand, is green.

Prob apply once a year reapply.

If it is floorboard cypress then it probably is fairly green (because it splits less when nailed). You could always search out a company to KD it for you, or use something else like Spotted Gum. Can't comment on Silvertop Ash - it may be ok.

As for the finish - probably one of the decking oils, but it will have to have some sort of tint to keep out some UV rays. It's a minefield.

Here's mine, made from Monterey Cypress (macrocarpa) from Gippsland.
The finish is Osmo, which repels water amazingly.
Macrocarpa chairs
(see post 9)

If you can get your hands on a naturally durable outside timber then sometimes no finish at all is a good option. It normally silvers off after a few rains and a bit of sun exposure, requires no further maintenance and is usually food safe.

Yes, macrocarpa does not need a finish, because it is outdoors durable, but I prefer the colour to silver.

i’ve had good success with OSMO outdoor UV oil have advised clients to reapply once a year all they need todo is give a good clean prior no sanding.

Originally Posted by fubar

i’ve had good success with OSMO outdoor UV oil have advised clients to reapply once a year all they need todo is give a good clean prior no sanding.

Thanks! anything which should be used to clean it with?

what about epoxy?

Originally Posted by qwertyu

Thanks! anything which should be used to clean it with?

Kitchen detergent

Thanks. Sounds like osmo it is.

Anyone know of a source of dried white cypress? Most of what I see are posts used for outdoors and my experience with them is that they're not dried.

Was speaking to someone at brittons and they suggested blackbutt, F27 mixed hardwood or accoya.

Has anyone ever used accoya? Apparently its pine which has been vinegar treated. I dont know if I would like the look of it.

In terms of F27 hardwood - I was always under the impression that the F grade is to do with stress. But the lady at brittons said its suitable for outoors. Does anyone know?

F grading is for stress, but it's an indicator of other things.

https://www.outdoorstructures.com.au/timber-grading.php was an interesting (kinda) read.

accoya is pale and boring as batshi* but very stable and easy to work can’t stand it myself but clients like the result me blehhhh.