Adirondak Chairs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #1 08-20-2010, 01:41 PM

Anybody ever build their own Adirondak chairs? I'm going to build some and am wondering what the best wood would be to use in Phoenix? Also any recommended finishes. My initial thought is white paint but not sure how well that would hold up in Phoenix.

- Peter.

TX76513 · #2 08-20-2010, 03:15 PM

Cyprus around here is the wood of choice

mbdoc · #3 08-20-2010, 03:55 PM

Have built about 25 of them out of western red cedar. Either natural or painted they last a long time.

Also several out of pressure treated cypress lately, imagine they will last for 50 years.

Billybob · #4 08-20-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Anybody ever build their own Adirondak chairs? I'm going to build some and am wondering what the best wood would be to use in Phoenix? Also any recommended finishes. My initial thought is white paint but not sure how well that would hold up in Phoenix.

- Peter.

Although considerably heavier than wood construction, a local outfit around here builds them out of AZEK type plastic decking material, calls them "green" as the raw material contains significan't percentage of recycled material and claims that they will last forever, they're fastened with stainless screws. They've got them in about four or five different shades, grey, tan, brown, and sort of redwood color.

Only time will tell how they hold up UV wise but the decking allegedly survives 50 years accelerated testing!

MTI · #5 08-20-2010, 05:27 PM

Up in Sedona, there's a place that sell them made out of rock slabs on a metal welded frame. And matching chaise lounges. Looks like the Flintstone's version of Pottery Barn.

pj67coll · #6 08-20-2010, 06:13 PM

All very interesting. But I doubt the plastic decking stuff is realistic in the heat. Heats up way more than wood and these will eventually sit out on my deck when I get it built. So I need something that you can actually sit on without scalding your ass. Which also rules out stone and steel construction. I'd heard of the western red Ceader option but not of Cypruss. I'll try looking into that too.

- Peter.

tonkovich · #7 08-20-2010, 09:30 PM

well, my friend used to work for these folks, and sent me one of their "recycled" teak chairs.

it still looks good after eight years; pricey, but durable
http://www.thewoodenduck.com/v3/by-collection/teak-garden-furniture/chairs/adirondack-chair/

The Clk Man · #8 08-20-2010, 09:46 PM

Back in the early 80's Vickie and I bought two Adirondak chairs from a man in his 70's that was dying from cancer. His family told us that those chairs was the last pair that he made, we still have them.

Chas H · #9 08-20-2010, 11:12 PM

Used in Phoenix, a chair could be made out of just about any kind wood. I think you should stay away from stone or "green" materials for exactly the reasons you posted.
Leave them unfinished since rain is not a great consideration and not many, if any, finishes will hold up to the sun.

JiveTurkey · #10 08-20-2010, 11:48 PM

I have a pair of them still in boxes in my garage. I havent had the time to stain and assemble them, but that doesn't mean I havent wanted to.

Jim B. · #11 08-21-2010, 12:04 AM

They make me think of the Jewish resorts in the Adirondack, Catskills, upstate NY, paces like that, you know?

10fords · #12 08-21-2010, 12:05 AM

One of my local winemaker friend makes them from oak wine barrels and seals them with linseed oil. While not as hot as Arizona on a regular basis here we do have an extremely dry, hot climate, and they seem to hold up fine.

pj67coll · #13 08-21-2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

One of my local winemaker friend makes them from oak wine barrels and seals them with linseed oil. While not as hot as Arizona on a regular basis here we do have an extremely dry, hot climate, and they seem to hold up fine.

What's your location?

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #14 08-21-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.B.DOC

Have built about 25 of them out of western red cedar. Either natural or painted they last a long time.

Also several out of pressure treated cypress lately, imagine they will last for 50 years.

Is pressure treated cypress readily available through the lumber yards? Is it stable or will it shrink and twist like PT pine?

Mike D · #15 08-21-2010, 10:00 AM

Peter, I made mine out of standard 2X6 lumber. I treat them every other year and they are holding up well. A few boards have had to be replaced but that is just the nature of the crappy lumber we get here in AZ. Do not use the green lumber crap they sell in the discount chain stores. Go to a "real" lumber yard and talk to the yard guys. They'll help you find the good stuff.

Redwood is an option but I find it too soft and pricey for its worth. The manufactured stuff is indeed too hot as you mentioned. Do not use pressure treated lumber. It doesn't take stain/paint well and quite frankly, the thought of sitting on those chemicals is a little disturbing even covered with paint.

I use a stain called, "Super Deck", available at real lumberyards, and it is the best stuff I have used hands down.

Ace Hardware has a red, Ranch Red, which is also a good choice. It takes about a week to fully cure but lasts a couple of years before it needs to be repainted. The nice thing about the red is it gradually fades and the chairs still look good. You only notice the change when you replace a board or turn the chair over for that spring cleaning.

I built my chairs and swing in 1979 and I'm still using them. One tip. Use decking screws and carriage bolts instead of nails. Decking screws weren't easily available when I built them and I used nails. Since then I have probably replaced 98% of the original nails which worked loose. It also makes it easier to replace those boards which will eventually need to be replaced.