Built this outdoor table with dry storage underneath cedar top and after the 1st season cedar split and lets water seep into cabinet below. Thinking of replacing cedar top with composite decking applied to MDO plywood. Would cover plywood with water barrier material and tongue and groove composite deck adding splines that restrict water seepage to MDO and allow for thermal expansion of composite decking. Just not confident this is a great solution and looking for suggestions and ideas to provide a waterproof top without going to granite.
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Azek is available in sheets up to 1" thick. I've cut profiles in with a router and it glues with PVC cement so you could protect the cabinet with an underhang / drip edge.
Those deck boards will always look like deck boards.
Nice looking cabinet!
https://azekexteriors.com/products/sheets
Was the split caused by the panel being kept from contracting if it dried by the way it was attached to the cabinet or by being constrained in a frame ?
It was restrained I believe in some places that likely prevented movement with moisture changes
Paint the MDO?
We have it painted around a screen porch and it held up well.
Outdoors I either use paint on wood, or leave it unpainted knowing it will decay eventually.
Using cedar in that way (large flat panel) it will almost always crack.
I have had success with making a plywood carcass and veneering (min 1/2" thick) with cedar.
You will still get cracks or movement but only in the veneer. You can achieve the same look and the contents of the cabinet will be protected.
Just a suggestion for the future.
If you can remove the existing top and rout out the underside to accept a piece of plywood, you'll add protection and stability.
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