Replies

1. 
   pwalt | Sep 02, 2003 05:59pm | #1

   I have used Poplar extensively on indoor projects. It is easy to work with and machines very well. It takes paint exceptionally well. Although I've never used it for outdoor service, I would think it would hold up to weather conditions seeing as how you intend to use pinned mortises and paint.

                                                                                          PaulW

2. 
   jonsherryl | Sep 02, 2003 06:56pm | #2

   Brian, yellow poplar has very poor decay resistance, but stability shouldn't be a major concern.

3. 
   mrbird90 | Sep 02, 2003 07:56pm | #3

   I have made several outdoor projects from poplar and I first treated them with "Woodlife" a wood preserative and then I primed them and applied two coats of exterior paint and after 8 years there is no sign of rot or decay. I have since painted them once or twice. Good luck.

4. 
   heartpinemik | Sep 02, 2003 08:45pm | #4

   I did it and had no problems. I used poplar for some window screens for my shop

   which were primed and painted. Been up for about 3 years now and holding up

   fine. As long as you carefully prime and paint them, any wood would be OK for

   some screens.

5. 
   Shep | Sep 03, 2003 01:55am | #5

   falcon-- I want to put my 2 cents in. I've done a fair amount of restoration carpentry, and any time I've come across poplar used for exterior purposes, it hasn't held up. I've replaced woodwork less than 10 years old in some cases. In my opinion, pine would be a much better choice. I usually buy #2 pine and cut around the knots to get the stock I need. Its a lot cheaper than clear.

6. 
   wrick2003 | Sep 03, 2003 02:30am | #6

         When I need cheap 5/4 stock, I plane some cheap 2x material down.  There has also beenalot of discussion over at  BT about using poplar outside.

         Of course, this discussion comes after I've been making storms and screens for about 7 years. No complaints yet though.     rg

7. 
   ChasStanford | Sep 03, 2003 03:04am | #7

   Use Pine.

8. 
   TomS | Sep 03, 2003 03:53am | #8

   I have used poplar in several outdoor applications and would not recommend it to anyone.  In my climate (the Southwest....well, not exactly, but Southwest Ohio any way) poplar was a poor choice.

   Use pine or cypress....

   TomS

9. 
   RW | Sep 03, 2003 05:44am | #9

   Another vote for nay. Perhaps our weather plays a role, but the few times I've seen poplar around here outside (Nebraska) it has not done well at all and rots within a year or two. It doesn't even seem to need water. It just dry rots and falls apart. Pine, cedar, cypress, all more durable options.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters