What Are the Kinds of Wood Used in Picnic Table Making?

Treated Lumber

• Treated lumber is infused with a chemical to prevent rotting. This treatment may have either a brown or a green tint. Because of the process the wood undergoes during the chemical treatment, it has a tendency to warp and twist. Treated lumber may be given an exterior stain or clear-coated with a waterproofing designed for treated lumber, but it should not be painted.

Cedar

• Cedar is a popular choice for outdoor furniture because of its beautiful grain and preservative properties. Cedar contains natural oils that make it resistant to rotting and insects. Cedar may be stained with an exterior stain or clear-coated with a waterproofing product. Painting is not recommended because it hides the beauty of the wood.

Redwood

• Redwood, like cedar, has natural beauty and preservatives that enable it to stand up well against the elements. The properties of redwood make it less susceptible to shrinkage, warping or twisting than other soft woods. Redwood may be stained with an exterior stain or clear-coated with a waterproofing product. Painting, which hides the beauty of the wood, is not recommended.

Pine

• Pine is a generic term for a variety of soft lumber. It is the least-expensive option for building a picnic table. However, it contains no natural or chemical preservatives, so it must be finished. When finished with a high-quality exterior stain, a waterproofing agent or paint, pine can provide many years of care-free enjoyment.

Composites

• Composites are a relative newcomer to the lumber market. While there are as many different composites as there are companies that produce them, composites basically are a combination of natural wood fibers and man-made materials. Composites come in a variety of colors and never need finishing. Because composites are created primarily for use as decking material, when used on a picnic table they usually are attached to a metal frame.