Replies

1. 
   Taigert | Jul 09, 2009 11:34pm | #1

   Cypress

   Taigert

2. 
   smslaw | Jul 10, 2009 12:06am | #2

   Before you make the boxes, buy some cheap plastic ones and build the wooden ones large enough to put the plastic ones inside. The wood will last longer and they will be much easier to use, since the inside box can be removed for planting/replanting.

   I'd use MDO for the panels. It takes paint well.

1. 
   Quickstep | Jul 10, 2009 02:20am | #3

   Will MDO hold up in a wet environment?

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jul 10, 2009 05:09am | #5

   MDO is used for outdoor signs and so I would think it should hold up as long as it isn't constantly wet.  I would also think that drainage holes are a must for window boxes.

   Putting plastic box liners in them sounds like a great idea as long as water has a place to drain out so the wood can dry.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   smslaw | Jul 11, 2009 04:35pm | #9

   47352.4 in reply to 47352.3 

   Will MDO hold up in a wet environment?

    

   Yes it will.

1. 
   Ron01960 | Jul 11, 2009 05:37pm | #10

   Tom, very nice!I have four 6 ft. long Azek window boxes. I put a 7 degree bevel on the bottom edges and I screwed the sides on. The ends were cut to fit the ends. All screwed together with Heradcote 1 5/6" stainless steel screws.Sides are 1x10, bottoms are 1x8.I have them sitting on my front porch top railings, I did add a few blocks of Azek below to prevent the railings from dropping. There heavy when empty so I placed them on the top railings then filled them. In the long run there very inexpensive. No maintenance, Sow, grow and eat! I grow lettuce, beets, cukes, herbs, tomatoes, beans, peppers etc.If used as window boxes supports are necessary. best of luck
   Ron in Peabody

1. 
   SimplyShaker | Jul 13, 2009 04:43am | #11

   I built many window boxes for our house fifteen years ago. As has been suggested, I bought plastic, lipped planting "troughs" first. I fashioned bottomless boxes with a rabbet at the top in which the plastic troughs sit. It is much easier to plant, doesn't make a mess, water passes right out of the bottom without collecting in a wooden box. The boxes were made from redwood. Some were painted, some were stained (on the deck). They are all holding up perfectly in our semi-arid Colorado climate.

2. 
   JohnWW | Jul 13, 2009 04:12pm | #13

   MDO is ordinary fir plywood with a facing. The facing makes it an excellent surface for painting but the material itself will deteriorate like ordinary plywood if it isn't well sealed by painting it. John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jul 14, 2009 02:06am | #14

   All the road signs (State Highway and county)  in our area are made from MDO and some are not painted that good on the edges and they seem to stand up real well. Are they using a special grade of MDO.

2. 
   jimbell | Jul 14, 2009 02:50am | #15

   I agree with building the window boxes to suit a plastic insert. I have used 3/4" western red cedar, reinforced the mitred corners with splines, and finished the works with Behr exterior cedar semi-transparent. I drilled drainage holes to align with the one in the plastic container. A rabbet around the lip of the box allows the plastic container to sit down out of sight.

    

3. 
   JohnWW | Jul 14, 2009 05:49pm | #16

   Good quality exterior plywood, if it is allowed to dry out between exposures to wet weather holds up pretty well, and MDO is almost always made from top quality plywood. It is possible that the state is using a type of MDO that is more weather resistant than what I am familiar with for sign making. My concern with the flower box application would be that the appearance is more critical and the continuous exposure to wet soil in the box would cause the plywood to rapidly deteriorate.John W.

4. 
   mrbird90 | Jul 14, 2009 06:51pm | #17

   I fully agree with your comment on use in a flower box.

5. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jul 14, 2009 10:08pm | #18

   ALL.

   I'm not convinced that rabbetting the top for the plastic insert is a good idea either.  It could provide a place for rainwater to collect under the lid that would sit in the rabbett. 

   I'd build a bottomless box out of weather resistant wood such that the lid rests on the top edges of the box, perhaps bevel the edges and paint them with a good exterior latex; of let them weather naturally.  If a finish is applied be prepared for some amount of maintenance.

   Fake wood is not a consideration for me, but everyones mileage may vary.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

6. 
   DonC | Jul 15, 2009 12:36am | #19

   How about any outdoor wood and plastic insert with 2 stainless steel or galvanized bolts at the bottom to support the insert.

   No bottom to rot, no rabberted lip, no ugly plastic showing.

7. 
   jimbell | Jul 15, 2009 05:21am | #21

   Rabbets in the top of the window box are not a good idea. That was my original plan but, instead, the plastic lip of the window box liner sits on top of the box sides. I rounded over the sides (1/2" round-over bit). Seems to be working well.

2. 
   bill5335 | Jul 11, 2009 05:33am | #6

   I agree with using a plastic insert.  I started making window boxes using redwood. Eventually they rot and  need repainting.

   Now I use the plastic inserts and my wife loves them bwcause they are easier to plant in, clean, etc...

   The last ones I made I used 2 X 6's from an old deck.

   Bill 

3. 
   Tom7 | Jul 10, 2009 03:22am | #4

   Go for Azek.  I did redwood ones and got rot after five years where water collected.  I made the current ones of Azek, look just like wood, no painting needed.  Cope and stick panel construction is just like wood.  Use Azek adhesive

   
1. 
   DonC | Jul 11, 2009 09:14am | #7

   What the heck is azek? What the jeck is MDO?

   Duh. I know what MDF is. hehe

   Where can a guy buy this stuff. It's not at any Big Box store I know of.

1. 
   smslaw | Jul 11, 2009 04:33pm | #8

   Azek is a plastic wood substitute used primarily for exterior trim. Doesn't rot, or warp, color all the way through. Pricy, but especially nice for places you don't want to paint. I had some soffits replaced a year ago and used it.

   MDO= medium density overlay: an exterior plywood with a paper coating impregnated with something to make it waterproof. As another poster mentioned, it is used for road signs, as it is very durable and weather resistant.

   Both Azek and MDO should be available at any real lumber yard.

4. 
   JMartinsky | Jul 13, 2009 12:35pm | #12

   Spanish Cedar

   Ipe

   Teak

5. 
   stantheman | Jul 15, 2009 01:41am | #20

   Quickstep

   I guess everyone wants to build furniture-grade works of art that will last forever.  I use cedar fence slats ($1.49/ea at HD, or recycle for free), Liquid Nails and galvanized screws, rabbetts and butt joints hold it together.  Outdoor oil-based primer, caulk and leftover house paint.  Lasts about ten years.  Works for birdhouses too.  In my view, the flowers are supposed to get the attention, not the dovetail joints and roman ogee edges.  Agree with using plastic inserts. 

   I understand if you want to be proud of it and have the time to spend on a flowerbox, but most people won't get close enough to see it, especailly if painted.

   Practical Stan, not looking for a "this is FINE woodworking, dammit" lecture.

   ---

   Edited 7/14/2009 6:43 pm ET by stantheman

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/14/2009 10:22 pm ET by stantheman

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jul 15, 2009 12:57pm | #22

   stan,

   In my view, the flowers are supposed to get the attention, not the dovetail joints and roman ogee edges.

   I can't believe you said that!  Ya mean you actually put flowers in yer boxes?

   That's borderline blasphemy!

   :-)

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   stantheman | Jul 16, 2009 01:26am | #23

   Plastic ones are best.

6. 
   EdHarrow | Jul 16, 2009 02:19am | #24

   I made one about five years ago.  It looks just like the day I made it.  Simple tho, no fancy stuff, just butt joints screwed (and epoxied) together.  I used cedar, and coated it, inside and out (I think I did the outside, I confess to being uncertain), with epoxy, and painted the outside.  No liners are used, the box is emptied each fall, and looked 'as new' this spring when it was refilled.

    

   
7. 
   WillGeorge | Jul 16, 2009 06:54pm | #25

   Just found this post.. Sorry for the late reply..

   My wife loved anything that grew.. Plants, Children, Etc... I even had to eat Dandelion salad. Dandelion wine is GOOD! 

   My wife could grow anything.. I look at her plants and she has to nurse them bhack to health..

   I got her a very expensive window box made from Copper...

   As in sort of like this.. http://www.hooksandlattice.com/copperwindow2.html

   Just a link I found.. I have nothing to do with them..

   I do not remember where I got my copper window box gift but my wife so, was so happy, I wish I owned a Copper Mine!