DIY Custom Made Patio Table

Woods

• Select the right wood, which is half the battle of building a patio table. Cedar and redwood are common choices, but many options exist that require less maintenance. Choose woods such as eucalyptus, balau, acacia and teak, all of which are heavier and naturally oily, which makes them weather better. Maintain such woods with warm soapy water; they do not require repeated touchups with water sealant.

Fasteners

• Use galvanized fasteners that do not rust when you build your patio table. Drill pilot holes when using screws, which ensure strong construction. Nails do a perfectly acceptable job in some situations, but some of the harder woods receive nails better if you drill pilot holes slightly smaller than the diameter of the nail and squirt a little glue in the hole before nailing. Always use glues intended for exterior work. Yellow glues are a common choice but may break down over time and exposure to weather. Polyurethane-based glues are completely waterproof but need well-cut, close-fitting joints for maximum strength.

Construction

• Create a standard four-legged patio table with a square top if you need an easy project. Standard dimensional lumber, either 2-by-4 or 4-by-4, provides a sturdy base. Join two legs with a stretcher to form an H-shape, then join the two assemblies with one or two other stretchers, which will give you a solid structure on which to mount the tabletop. This structure is also the most flexible; the table can become longer or wider by merely changing the stretcher lengths. Build a thick top from 2-by-4 or larger lumber, joined together below with a couple of thin battens. This is an easy solution and might be an appropriate choice for a rustic patio setting. Create a more contemporary table by building a box frame from 1-by-4s and making a top inside it from 1-by-4s or larger boards. Add some stretchers inside the box frame to support the boards; the stretchers also may add support when attaching the base assembly. This approach makes the table look more sophisticated.

Finishes

• Leave the heaviest woods unfinished because they don't require a top coat for protection; they have enough natural oil to last a long time. Leave cedar and redwood natural, although they will not last as long without a finish. Water sealers and stains will require periodic re-application; follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results. Avoid oil finishes because they sometimes encourage mold.