Outdoor table wood selection and movement

[Scott Goldthwaite]

I want to make a 27" diameter outdoor table. I'm in NJ and it will mostly be in shade. I'm gonna have a vinyl cover made to protect the table from the elements. I'm planning on making the table out of Sepele. I want to have a full-size peace sign inlay in the table. I'm looking for advice on the inlay and wood movement. I want the inlay to be a dark wood, but I haven't decided on what to use. I'd appreciate an suggestions. Woods I'm considering are Ipe (I know this is a good wood for outdoors), bubinga, walnut. There are two different approaches I'm considering for the peace sign. First is to make the tabletop out of sepele, then use the CNC to cut a shallow peace sign pocket, maybe 1/4" deep, then glue the dark wood into the peace sign pocket. I'd have the grain of both woods go in the same direction. The other option is to make the peace sign the same thickness as the sepele, them put it all together with dowel tenons. I'd still have all the grain go in the same direction. I'd appreciate any advice or potential problems.

[andy bessette]

Teak works well outdoors.

[Jamie Buxton]

You might consider thermally-modified wood. It is dark, and it is rot-resistant. My local Woodcraft sells some brand of it. The cost is competitive with those woods you're considering.

[Scott Goldthwaite]

Never heard of that. I’ll have to look into it.

[Stan Calow]

walnut is not good outside.

[Scott Goldthwaite]

walnut is not good outside.

Good to know, thanks

[Mel Fulks]

I was always told that walnut held up well outside, except for the white sap wood.

[Kevin Jenness]

walnut is not good outside.

Why do you say that? Walnut (heartwood) is rated as highly decay resistant and is dimensionally stable. Color stability in sunlight is an issue. What other parameters are you considering?

Sapele, ipe, bubinga and walnut all seem like reasonable choices to me.

I would inlay the design.

[Stan Calow]

I think it attracts insects, and decays in contact with wet. My experience with just a few indoor pieces that were left outside. I defer to more experts.

[Scott T Smith]

I think it attracts insects, and decays in contact with wet. My experience with just a few indoor pieces that were left outside. I defer to more experts.

The heartwood of non steamed black walnut is Definitely rot and insect resistant. I don’t know about commercially produced steamed walnut though. We’re your pieces made from English walnut or steamed (muddy brown color) walnut?

[Stan Calow]

Native steamed black walnut, which is very common here.