Building Patio Furniture

Building Basics

Patio furniture is rugged and made for the outdoors, so it can be built with basic tools like a drill, hammer and circular saw. You can fasten the parts of the furniture together with bolts or galvanized nails. It will look outdoorsy and be just as comfortable as indoor furniture. It will also be weatherproof and a lot less expensive.

Tables

Patio tables can be built by creating two simple leg frames made from 2-by-4 boards. You can brace them with cross sections and bolt everything together, then create a patio table top of long 2-by-6 boards. Just lay them side by side then attach a cross brace underneath them. Use a 2-by-4 for the brace. The table top can be attached to the legs. That is all that is involved. You really will only need to understand basic concepts, take measurements and know how to operate a saw.

Chairs

The chairs can be a little more challenging, but the same principals apply. Build legs out of 2-by-4 boards, then attach them to a seat and a back. You can opt to make benches as well, which are much simpler. This involves creating two leg braces, then using a 2-by-8 board for the seat. All of these can be bolted together or nailed together.

Staining and Finishing

The final step is going to be to stain or paint your furniture. Use red outdoor or exterior paint for the best results. Or, choose a natural stain to preserve the look of the wood. Either way, you need to be sure the furniture will resist rot and corrosion. If you can find, find a glossy finish, exterior latex that is easy to clean so you can maintain the furniture just by cleaning it.