General Woodworking

[tom243]

I want to thank everyone who helped me solve my rising plug issue.

I've built some outdoor Adirondack furniture using popular. I recently read popular is not a good outside wood. I do have a popular Adirondack chair and it is holding up well after three years of being outside in the desert Southwest with no protection other than paint.

I will be covering screw holes with face grain plugs and painting with oil paint. Any suggestions on a better wood to use ?

Thanks,

Tom

[Howard Acheson]

True, poplar is not normally considered a good wood for outdoor applications.  However, if it is going to be painted and kept in good repair, poplar will last quite a while. 

The point is that almost any wood can be used if it will be painted.  Even better, if the item is kept in a covered location away from moisture and sunlight, it will last a very long time.

If you plan a clear finish, then be prepared to have to scuff sand and re-coat every year or two.  Clear finishes are not as protective as painted surfaces.

As to wood, the more popular are bald cypress, cedar, redwood, white oak, mahogany and teak.  All are very rot resistant woods.

[Keith Stephens]

Tom, I will second Howard's comments.  If your outdoor projects are painted the choice of wood is of lesser concern otherwise my favorites are White Oak for  hard, heavy and durable or Cypress light easy to work wood. 

[RussBoyd]

I agree with the others. Redwood and cedar are probably most affordable and available while mahogany would sure look good. Teak would be expensive (at least here) and very hard. Lots of choices to be made. Have fun.