How To Pick Out Your Picnic Table

So what's best for your situation? A six foot or eight foot picnic table? I'll tell you my opinions on both as a builder.

Let's talk about the six foot table first. I personally like these tables the best of all the ones I build. Because of the shorter length, they are stronger and more sturdy. They also are a lot easier to move around which is something to consider if you like to follow the sun in your back yard.

Another thing about the six foot tables is that I find them to be higher quality in general. Quality in the sense of wood condition. When I build a six foot picnic table I start with 8 foot long 2x6's. This means that when I cut each piece of wood down, I get to choose where I cut from. Because of this I can cut off split, checked and generally damaged ends. Same goes for the fact that sometimes, staples are driven quite deep into the wood.

In addition to the above facts, the amount of lumber used in the six foot table goes a long way. Because of how the cuts work. When I build a six foot table, I am left with 9 two foot pieces. Those pieces can be used for the legs on my next table. Maybe as a consumer that doesn't matter so much to you but it's once of the reasons I like the smaller tables as well.

So what about the eight foot? Well, the eight foot is elegant and inspiring in size and makes you think of great summer days and big family gatherings. When I build and eight foot table, I always think about the great times someone is going to have with all their family or close friends gathered around, enjoying great food.

As a builder, the eight foot might take more lumber but if you are making lots of tables it is the easiest to build. The profit margin is down a tad but the speed of build is much faster because you have nine less cuts to make.

So the final word? I think in the end that if you just want a nice, pretty picnic table to put in the back yard then I would go with the six foot picnic table. Especially is space is a priority in your yard or on your deck. However, if you are getting a table for a staff area, large family or social gathering then the eight foot table offers the most seating capacity.

The last point to talk about is the staining. While the size of the table makes no difference to this decision, it still needs to be made when you buy your picnic table regardless of size. From the moment you get a picnic table and put it outside, the elements are going to start chipping away at it. For an extra couple of dollars you can buy some stain and waterproofing and spend an afternoon getting a tan and taking care of your new purchase. If that's not your cup of tea, a few extra dollars more and your builder will be more than happy to do it for you. After all, if you like handcrafted furniture... you want to keep that wood pretty.

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Wood Picnic Table Q&A

sap in the picnic table?

my boyfriend just started sanding our picnic table, and where the knots are in the wood it started leaking sap, or pitch or whatever, should he paint over it or is there some way to treat it?

Heat it with a small blowtorch then paint over it with some silver fence paint and then paint whatever color you want it

Best picnic table material composite decking?

My husband and I are looking at getting a picnic table and are thinking of buying the metal frame either online or from ACE hardware and then using composite wood like the composite decking for the top and seats as it would not need to be restained ever and would not rot or cause splinters.

I was wondering if there would be any forseeable problems with using composite decking for a picnic table? Would a variety of wood be better?

Composite decking usually only 5/4 (1&1/4") thick so if you span more than 16" it will sag.

I'd use 2X6 kiln dried red wood, cedar or cypress. All have the structural strength needed and weather well without staining. However, several coats of boiled linseed oil every year will keep them looking great.