Thread: Outdoor Timber Table Tops & Bars

Originally Posted by InfinityDesigns

Hi all,

We do alot of small internal timber furniture, but have been asked to make some outdoor timber tables and bars for a cafe.

They would like to use solid, recycled timber tops... but I'm not really sure which way to go with making them?

Is there a timber to use that will survive the elements if well maintained?

Ah mate, most of my work is fancy outdoor furniture for commercial use. we use a lot of vic ash (which if very similar to tassie oak but not as hard) but Id imagine it would be hard to source recycled. Great timber for furniture, i have not seen it twist, crack, warp or leach after it rains. I have some tables at a local school 20yrs old that looks as good as it did when new, but it has been well looked after.

Originally Posted by InfinityDesigns

Should we make the tops with gaps between the pieces?

Or should we just get solid slabs?

We use 3mm gaps on all our furniture, I cant remember which one or the exact requirements but there is an Australian standard that dictates the size of gaps, cant be wide enough to fit little fingers, etc....

If you are going to use slabs make sure you use stable timber that is not going to warp in the outdoors and lift a leg off the ground causing the furniture to rock. Id imagine that solid slabs could really drive up the price of the furniture too.

Originally Posted by InfinityDesigns

Now our little inside jobs dont need to factor in the weather. I have a few reservations on what to use, and if i can make it the same way as our inside tables...and just apply a monster amount of oils and stain to the timber to protect it!

Any help would be amazing... as i'm not really sure which way to turn.

Thanks Guys!!

We use oil based decking oils on our furniture, tried the Feast Waston water based decking oil when they stopped making oil based, but id didn't meet our standards so we now use Aussie clear decking oil. I found the decking oil to be the better oil, it is made to walk on so is hard wearing. It also has anti fungicidals and other goodies in it which come in handy.

Thanks mate!!! Your a legend.

I'll let you know how we go sourcing the materials.

That oil you suggested seems to be the go... So I'll post some pics once it's underway!

Thanks again!

Happy I could help