What's your favorite wood for outdoor projects?

[atgcpaul]

My sister's 30th BD is coming up and she has guilted big brother into making
her a deck storage box for outdoor cushions by the pool--something about $2
she lent me when I was 7yo that I never paid back and inflation.

I'd need about 50-60bf of lumber for this beast. Teak would be way too
expensive. I haven't used white oak for outdoor stuff but apparently it's one
way to go. I have used Ipe before and I know I can get it at a decent price,
but that will be one heavy box. I haven't used cedar or cypress but I'd think
they'd be a little soft for my taste.

I don't want to go to the ends of the earth to find the perfect wood--just
what I can get at my local supplier.

Look for suggestions,
Paul

[drumpriest]

Take a look at Lyptus. A friend of mine has some outdoor furniture made from it, and it's doing well. At about 5-6$ a bf for S3S, not too bad.

[Russianwolf]

Purpleheart like white oak has been used for truck beds for ages.

[LCHIEN]

I make a lot of stuff for outdoors from (western red) cedar fence pickets.
They sell them in 1x6 x 6' dog eared for about $2 each, typically they run about 5/8" thick, rough cut. That's around 2 or 3 bd-ft for $2?
Then I just use it outdoors with no finish. Lasts about 5-10 years when assembled with waterproof glues.

[crokett]

Hate to say it, but good old PT. You can get it anywhere and if you don't like the color you can stain it. I've made some very nice things out of PT.

Make the box with slats in the bottom so it can drain. A real nice touch would be to put a back on it so people can sit on it. I did one of these last summer at my in-laws' cabin for the dock. They store lifejackets in it.

[jziegler]

I like eastern white cedar, used it for several projects, but my supply is gone

It's soft, but has been holding well after a couple years.

Western red cedar would be similar, and I've mixed in small amounts when the white cedar pile disappeard.

Jim

[mojo_13]

I have heard about an MDF that is waterproof ,the glue they use to hold together the fibers. I have read some literature on it from some magazines and sounds like it works pretty well. It's what they use for highway signs and jsut paint it green is what our millwork teacher tells us. Have never used it or know where to get it but may be something to look at if you wanted to paint it.

[Knottscott]

I like WO but cedar, teak, cypress, are also good choices.

[MilDoc]

In order of my preference: red cedar (I get East Texas stuff), cypress (when I can find it), white oak. I'd love to use teak but expensive here.