Picnic Tables That Last

Personal experience of J. Williams:

We built a picnic table over twenty years ago that is still solid and being used today. This table has never been under a shelter or covered and has been completely exposed to the elements for all of its years. This is also in the very humid south. It was also never painted but left to the natural wood look.

It began its life as a much enjoyed picnic table in the backyard. Many fun times were had with this old table as we had children’s birthday parties, cook outs, yard parties, etc. Then probably about five years ago it was “reduced” to a potting table.

Now it was not in bad shape but we had inherited a new table. I will admit that it was reaching the “rustic” stage for a picnic table but it is still very solid.

Well how was it built to last and endure the weather for so many years? The wood used in construction was pine that had been pressure treated. If you are not familiar with this type of wood, it is commonly used in decking and other exterior applications and maybe stained but not painted.

The table top was constructed from 15 treated 2 by 4′s that were cut the length of the table. These boards were then screwed together side by side with the 2″ (1 3/4″) side up making a table top 4″ (3 1/2″) thick and very heavy and durable. A 2×4 was then added to each end to cover the cut end of the 2×4 table top boards.

Table legs were made from treated 4 by 4′s. They were attached firmly to the table top with the help of a rectangle of 2 by 4′s screwed to the bottom side of the table top 6″s inside the outer edge of the table top. The 4 legs were then screwed to the band of 2 x 4′s and up into the top itself.

Braces were then placed on the legs. The braces were out of 2×4′s placed in an “I” shape about 6″ off the ground. Two short 2×4′s ran between the two end legs and then a longer 2×4 ran from the center of them to each other forming an “I”.

The table was then simply sanded and let stand as is. It weathered over time to a shade of gray. You can stain this table but we were after more of a natural rustic look. This is a heavy and strong table that will last for many years.

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