Two questions concerning some Chaise lounge chairs I am making. Never made outdoor furniture and need to know the pros and cons of Teak and Cedar. Obviously Teak is better but is it worth the $12/bf for the stuff? I can get top grade cedar for $3.50/bf. How about any alternatives? The chaise chairs are standard lounge chair design and don’t have to hold a Mac Truck but I would like them to look like they are up-scale and not something you would see on just anyone’s deck.
Also, when doing the mortise/tenon joinery what is the best adhesive to use? I have heard of two part expoxies and plain waterproof wood glue. The major stress points will most likely be bolted to aid in shipping.
Thanks for all the help on this strange project.
-John
Replies
John,
With the right joinery, either cedar or teak would serve equally well, but I'd suggest going with cedar to keep the weight down. I saw an Adirondack chair made from ipe once, it took two people to move it across the deck.
John W.
If I planned to make this outdoor furniture once and do it well, I would use teak. It is very expensive, however, it lasts a very, very long time, even in tough sunlight. You can sand it, oil it and make it look like new with a reasonable amount of effort and for the most part, it won't blow into your neighbors yard during a windstorm.
Many (I can't claim enough fact to say most, but I am tempted) garden benches are made from teak for this very reason. There is a company called Teak Classics that advertises in the Wall St. Journal that makes kits that are of wonderful mortise and tenon quality - all done in teak. I've been tempted to buy a chair or two to use as patterns for my own.
Whatever you do, use quality connectors (stainless steel is great here) and epoxy rather than outdoor glue.
My 2 cents
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