Outdoor cabinets?

Question

I'm starting a do-it-yourself project for my backyard. I want to build some cabinets for my patio to house some grilling items and things of that nature. I'm pretty sure I know enough to actually build the structure, but what type of wood should I go about buying? I know it should be pressure treated, but other than that I'm pretty much lost. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

How much do you want to spend?  Pressure treated is the least expensive, and the least attractive.  You CAN use the green stuff, because it's no longer treated with arsenic.  It will weather to a gray if left alone, or it can be stained with a semi-transparent (lets the grain show through) or solid (covers over the grain) stain.  

Cedar is naturally rot and insect resistant, and looks better than pressure treated.  You can stain it, or use a clear sealer to keep the original look.

Redwood is also naturally rot and insect resistant, and is beautiful wood.  The downside is the price you pay.  Expect about double the cost of pressure treated for clear redwood.  There are others you can use, but you will end up priming and painting anyway.  I'd stick with these 3 options.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.

Answer 2

If you are more comfortable working with plywood, you should try to find a distributor in you area that can get Marine Grade Plywood. It is much easier to fabricate, and cheaper than what cedar or redwood will end up costing.

Answer 3

The new pressure treated stuff has glass embedded in it and looks like regular pine and is way better stuff, don't get the green because of the chemicals, but remember when you cut the wood to wear a mask so you do not breath the harmful dust, If you are making rustic cabinets the go with 2X4's and dog eared fencing boards and do your basic simple cabinetry.