Treated vs untreated wood for outdoor dining set

[Dylan T]

Hi all - I am planning to build an outdoor table set; I have the powder coated pre-made legs and planned to just buy the boards to fit to it for a simple table and bench seat setup. I'll be getting pine from my favourite local timber merchants to keep costs down, but am not sure weather to use tanalised or not. I bought the same boards for a garden wall project (47 x 225mm) in tanalised form, and know that after a while the yellow/green effect fades but it always is there and affects the colour of the stain/oil/wax you add. I've also been told that treated timber splinters/cracks/warps more easily, so am wondering if I should just be relying on my own treatment which I apply regularly. Thoughts appreciated!

 

[johnny2007]

If you give it a protective coat every couple of years, just go with the untreated.
I personally use treated wood for all my outdoor projects; i don't like things failing after a short time.
Treated wood does not move, crack or warps more than untreated, but surely it's more resistant to rotting.

 

[^woody^]

Tanalised is green. Other timber treatment is brown, or even clear.

You presumably will be planning this timber smooth or suchlike, which will lighten it.

If the timber won't be saturated for continuous periods, and you treat the end grain with a preservative, and commit to regular maintenance with a quality coating, you may well get a long life from the timber.