Selecting the Right Wood
Picking the right wood for your outdoor bar is crucial. It's about durability and strength, not just looks. Your wood should withstand tough weather, spills, and temperature shifts. Pressure-treated hardwoods like cedar, redwood, and oak are your best bet.
Consider your bar's location:
- Cedar: Lovely scent and appealing grain, works well indoors and outdoors, resistant to bugs and rot.
- Redwood: Rich color tones, resists swelling and warping, especially outside.
- Oak: Sturdy, timeless, and practically indestructible when pressure-treated.
Match your wood with personal taste. Let your aesthetic guide you, but remember: function matters as much as appearance. Choose lumber that's up to the task for a long-lasting bar.
Framing the Bar
Framing your wooden outdoor bar requires precision for stability and support. Use straight, reliable 2×4 Douglas Fir lumber to fashion rectangles for both the base and top of your bar.
Focus on maintaining an even plane for a flat surface or top. Uniformity will make the rest of your work easier. Pre-drill holes for pocket screws to prevent wood splitting and ensure pieces fit together smoothly.
Take your time and focus on each detail. A well-framed bar isn't just furniture; it's a testament to your hard work and skill, ready to stand up to whatever comes its way.
Crafting the Bartop and Shelves
Start with clean, untwisted wood free of knotholes and splits for a sharp, sturdy bartop. Use a router to create a micro-bevel around the edges, making them less prone to chipping and adding elegance.
Ensure a solid structure underneath using pocket screws for support and stability. For shelves, install slats along the interior with precision. Measure twice, cut once. Secure the slats snugly to create storage space for all your bar essentials.
By focusing on these details, your bar becomes both beautiful and functional, ready for every occasion.
Weatherproofing and Finishing Touches
Seal the wood with a quality waterproof sealer to protect against water damage. Apply it liberally, covering every nook and cranny. Consider staining your bar for extra protection and a refined look. Use a stain designed for outdoor use to resist fading.
Use pressure-treated plywood and weather-resistant coatings as a second line of defense against moisture and damp air. These treatments can extend the life of your wood bar and prevent warping.
This combination of sealing, staining, and treating ensures durability and maintains your outdoor bar's appearance. It's the final step in creating a sturdy, dependable piece ready for any weather.
In crafting your outdoor bar, the choice of wood is more than just a practical decision; it's the cornerstone of a project that balances style and resilience. With careful attention to materials and finishing touches, you create not just a functional piece but a lasting testament to your craftsmanship.
- Forest Products Laboratory. Wood handbook – Wood as an engineering material. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory; 2010.
- Simpson W, TenWolde A. Physical properties and moisture relations of wood. In: Wood handbook: Wood as an engineering material. Madison, WI: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory; 1999:3-1 to 3-24.
- Knaebe M. Finishing of wood. In: Wood handbook: Wood as an engineering material. Madison, WI: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory; 1999:15-1 to 15-39.