Replies

1. 
   mrbird90 | Aug 11, 2010 09:40pm | #1

   Painting flower boxes

   I have made many flower boxes over the years and I have always used western red cedar or cypress. Both take paint well and have rot resistance. However, I would advise the client to put a metal of plastic box within the box. I usually get the plastic box first and make the flower box to fit. The plastic boxes come in all sizes and can be purchased at the big box stores. All the wood boxes will start to deteriate within a few years if the dirt is put directly into them and this is with a prime coat and 3 coats of exterior oil based paint.

1. 
   swenson | Aug 14, 2010 07:59am | #2

   I have made a lot of em out of pine, and sometimes out of the primed lumber from Big Box Stores that is pieced together scraps for rake boards.  A good coating of Kilz first and a second coat over any knots before two coats of exterior paint works great for me.  When I used to put bottoms on them they lasted three years if I repainted the insides with Kilz each year... the part that came in direct contact with the dirt.  It's important to have a lot of drain holes in the bottom.  A few years ago I started using the plastic liner method  mrbird90 posted above.  If you build a four sided box with no bottom and hang the plastic liner off its lip these seem to last forever.  I drill extra holes in the bottom of the liner.  I build them to sit on, and overhang, the railings on my deck. 

2. 
   Quickstep | Aug 14, 2010 11:04pm | #3

   I made some window boxes a while ago of Azek. Turned out nicely if I must say so myself. Azek is a little flimsy and needs some reinforcement, but looks good as is if you want white or can be painted.