Got some extra time this weekend? Want to spruce up your yard? Not all lumber projects require weeks of planning, CAD drawings, and a lengthy materials acquisition process.
Here are three small-scale lumber projects that can make a big impact on your outdoor space.
Picnic Table
This family-friendly redwood picnic table project is a great one to undertake on a Saturday morning. After assembly, staining and drying time, you’ll be ready for a Sunday evening barbeque. Pre-planned kits come with all the lumber and building supplies you’ll need to put together your 3×6 or 3×4 picnic table in a few short hours. Your kit will include pre-cut wood, the correct amount of screws, and easy-to-follow instructions. The only tool required is an electric screwdriver.
Using a kit set-up not only gives you the benefit of professional planning and design but buying all your materials as a set is more cost effective than if you were to gather all your wood and hardware separately. High-quality lumber like redwood is normally a fairly expensive material, but lumber yards receive full-size planks at non-standard lengths and are forced to cut them down to more desirable sizes. This leaves behind plenty of high-end wood at odd sizes, which can be trimmed further for use in projects like this. As a consumer, you get excellent lumber at a fraction of the price.
Once your picnic table assembly is complete, it’s time to stain. An oil-based stain is best for redwoods. Choose from a range of classic natural stains that range from clear to deep brown, or experiment with other colors like red, gold, green or even gray.
Planter box
Whether you want to add a pop of color from a raised flower bed or would like to start cultivating your own herbs or veggies, garden box kits are another weekend-long DIY project that can make a serious impact on your outdoor space. Though planters aren’t the most complicated to build, they can feature lots of variations that will best support the plant life you want to grow.
At J&W Lumber, we have two options for building garden boxes: create your box from a pre-assembled kit or speak to our specialists to plan your custom-sized planter.
The main difference between a kit and a custom-build is that the kit will feature high quality surfaced redwood and more finishing features (ex. fascia), while custom boxes can be sized to meet your exact specifications.
Another variation that applies is whether or not you use a leg kit. Leg kits raise the planter box off the ground 12 inches, which can be a lifesaver in an outdoor space where rabbits or other critters are a problem. Leg kits also give the box a more “furniture”-like aesthetic, which is perfect for indoor or outdoor use in smaller spaces, like apartment patios. Similar to picnic table kits, planter box kits are pre-cut and pre-drilled and include instructions and all the lumber and building supplies you’ll need to finish the project.
Discover when you should consider a raised garden box.
If you feel a little more confident designing and building, talk to our team and we’ll help you plan for a customized box that fits your specs exactly.
Arbors
Arbors are the most complicated of these three DIY projects, but they’re still manageable to build over the course of a weekend. Arbors can be as simple or detailed as your imagination—and if done thoughtfully, can transform the look of an outdoor space and even add value to the house.
Softwoods like redwood, cedar, and Douglas fir are ideal for an arbor. Bring a reference picture down to the lumber yard and we can help evaluate what you’ll need, along with cutting your components down to size. The true versatility of an arbor build is in the details. Get creative by adding a trellis, scalloped edges or corbel cuts that mimic the style of your house. These embellishments can make the arbor itself a true centerpiece of your yard.
Don’t think you need to figure it all out on your own. That’s what your local lumber yard is for. Determine your desired width, depth and height before you begin. Then bring your measurements and reference photos down to the lumber yard and start talking to the staff. Through your conversation, lumber experts can convert your idea into the specific materials you’ll need. It’s like getting a tattoo—come in with a basic idea and let the professionals run with it.
Assembly is a bit more complicated than a picnic table or garden box. For the arbor itself, you’ll just need a drill. However, setting the posts is a little more in-depth, which is where a post-hole digger will help for pouring concrete. From there, the amount of time it takes will be unique to your design. More details mean time-consuming work, so in the end, the choice is yours.