I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence for the back yard. My concern is if they will hold
up to rain, and freezing weather. I can see how water can become
trapped in the lower rail. Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thanks,
Dave,

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,
and you can make joints with pegs (most glues hold water or soften, neither is great
for longevity). If you can arrange drainage, that helps. Lower rail groove for panel
should have drain holes (after all, they won't show) . A bit of a kerf on the underside
of the upper and lower rails will form a drip edge, like one sees on windowsills.

Oil stain will give a few years' coverage, too (be prepared to reapply in 2025).

Red cedar can make slats for panels (or shiplapped, if you want to eliminate cracks)
but isn't very structural.

On Thu, 23 May 2019 01:34:17 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,
and you can make joints with pegs (most glues hold water or soften, neither is great
for longevity). If you can arrange drainage, that helps. Lower rail groove for panel
should have drain holes (after all, they won't show) . A bit of a kerf on the underside
of the upper and lower rails will form a drip edge, like one sees on windowsills.

Why not PT, with the above details to shed water? Any fasteners had
better be stainless, however.

Another alternative is PVC. 5/4s is readily available at HD, now, and
not too expensive. Not structural, however. It gets pretty soft in
hot weather.

Oil stain will give a few years' coverage, too (be prepared to reapply in 2025).

Oils primer with a latex top coat works quite well. Some paints are
really good, too. Oil primer adheres to the wood better than latex
but latex has better UV protection. In any case, money paid for the
stain/paint now saves a lot of work later.

Red cedar can make slats for panels (or shiplapped, if you want to eliminate cracks)
but isn't very structural.

White Oak or IPE would be a good choice for structural uses. Of
course, cost is no object, right? ;-)

On Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 6:13:59 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thu, 23 May 2019 01:34:17 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,

Why not PT, with the above details to shed water? Any fasteners had
better be stainless, however.


PT is ugly, and doesn't weather well . Wood with stain is intended to be out in rain and sunlight,
but PT was intended to resist rot/fungus/insects when buried. Parts of my covered deck are
PT, and were much improved by staining.

On 5/24/2019 12:50 AM, whit3rd wrote:
On Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 6:13:59 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thu, 23 May 2019 01:34:17 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,

Why not PT, with the above details to shed water? Any fasteners had
better be stainless, however.


PT is ugly, and doesn't weather well . Wood with stain is intended to be out in rain and sunlight,
but PT was intended to resist rot/fungus/insects when buried. Parts of my covered deck are
PT, and were much improved by staining.


Actually you should investigate before buying PT lumber. Little of it
is rated for any ground contact at all. PT fence posts may be the
exception.

On Fri, 24 May 2019 11:29:19 -0500, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet
wrote:

On 5/24/2019 12:50 AM, whit3rd wrote:
On Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 6:13:59 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thu, 23 May 2019 01:34:17 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,

Why not PT, with the above details to shed water? Any fasteners had
better be stainless, however.


PT is ugly, and doesn't weather well . Wood with stain is intended to be out in rain and sunlight,
but PT was intended to resist rot/fungus/insects when buried. Parts of my covered deck are
PT, and were much improved by staining.


Actually you should investigate before buying PT lumber. Little of it
is rated for any ground contact at all. PT fence posts may be the
exception.



The brown PT looks sooo much better than the green.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/mic...ood/1000790082

"Micro Pro Sienna can be used above, below ground and in fresh
water " according to the pdf file link.

John T.

On 5/24/2019 1:17 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 24 May 2019 11:29:19 -0500, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet
wrote:

On 5/24/2019 12:50 AM, whit3rd wrote:
On Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 6:13:59 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thu, 23 May 2019 01:34:17 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,

Why not PT, with the above details to shed water? Any fasteners had
better be stainless, however.


PT is ugly, and doesn't weather well . Wood with stain is intended to be out in rain and sunlight,
but PT was intended to resist rot/fungus/insects when buried. Parts of my covered deck are
PT, and were much improved by staining.


Actually you should investigate before buying PT lumber. Little of it
is rated for any ground contact at all. PT fence posts may be the
exception.



The brown PT looks sooo much better than the green.
And the yellow treated too.

There is a process, although expensive, that simply treats the wood, any
wood with high heat. This process renders the wood non consumable to
mold, rot, and bugs. And apparently it is ggod to use anywhere.



https://www.homedepot.ca/product/mic...ood/1000790082

"Micro Pro Sienna can be used above, below ground and in fresh
water " according to the pdf file link.

John T.

On Thu, 23 May 2019 22:50:32 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 6:13:59 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thu, 23 May 2019 01:34:17 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:21:58 AM UTC-7, Dave wrote:
I have been contemplating using rails and stiles for some flower
planters and a fence ... Any good experiences doing this with outdoor
projects and any advice?

Thick sections (2x6?) of southern yellow pine can stand weather for a few years,

Why not PT, with the above details to shed water? Any fasteners had
better be stainless, however.


PT is ugly, and doesn't weather well . Wood with stain is intended to be out in rain and sunlight,
but PT was intended to resist rot/fungus/insects when buried. Parts of my covered deck are
PT, and were much improved by staining.

Most PT isn't supposed to be exposed to the weather. It's rot
resistant, however it's still susceptible to water and UV damage.
There is PT rated for "ground contact" but it's a different beast that
what people normally buy at the BORG. PT _should_ be covered with UV
paint or stain.