Learn how to make a DIY outdoor chevron coffee table with a wood torched base in just one weekend with free plans & video!
The calendar may say that fall is here, but Mother Nature begs to differ! We are still having 70 and 80 degree days here in New York, which means we are taking full advantage of being outside this fall.
That being said, my family’s backyard oasis has been in desperate need of a new coffee table. So, I partnered with my amazing friends at Bernzomatic to make it happen. Here’s how I made them a new DIY outdoor chevron coffee table in one weekend!
Before we get to the good stuff, let’s talk about the types of wood you can use for outdoor projects. I chose cedar because I love the finished look, but there are other types of wood you can use.
What type of wood can you use for outdoor projects?
- Cedar: This wood has natural oils that make it resistant to decay and insect damage. It’s also lightweight, easy to work with, and has a pleasant aroma.
- Redwood: Another lightweight and durable option, redwood is resistant to decay and insect damage due to the presence of natural tannins. It’s also a beautiful wood with a unique reddish color.
- Teak: A popular choice for outdoor furniture, teak is known for its high resistance to decay, insects, and moisture. It’s also a dense wood with a beautiful golden color that weathers to an attractive gray patina over time.
- Cypress: This wood has natural oils that make it resistant to decay and insects. It’s also a relatively affordable option that’s easy to work with and has a beautiful grain pattern.
- Pressure-treated pine: This wood is treated with chemicals that make it resistant to decay and insects. It’s also a cost-effective option that’s widely available and easy to work with. However, it’s important to note that the chemicals used in pressure treatment can be harmful, so it’s important to take proper safety precautions when working with it.
- Mahogany: A dense and durable wood that’s naturally resistant to decay and insects, mahogany has a rich reddish-brown color and a beautiful grain pattern. It’s also a more expensive option than some of the others on this list.
- Ipe: Also known as Brazilian walnut, ipe is an extremely dense and durable wood that’s resistant to decay, insects, and moisture. It’s also a beautiful wood with a rich brown color that weathers to a silver-gray patina over time.
Do I still need to apply a protective sealant on wood meant for outdoor use?
Yes! You should always apply a protective sealant to any outdoor wood project. It will help protect the color and finish of the wood for a longer period of time.
How To Make An Outdoor Chevron Coffee Table
This post is sponsored by Bernzomatic. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
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The last outdoor project I built with torched cedar was in May and it’s been holding up so well! I’m also a sucker for a good chevron project. So, I wanted to combine those two elements and make a new outdoor table for my parents’ yard.
Here’s how I completed this build in one weekend!
What you’ll need to make a DIY outdoor chevron coffee table:
Tools
BZ4500 Heat Shrink Torch for Large Surface Areas
Bernzomatic Propane Tank
Miter Saw
Drill
Pocket Hole Jig
Brad Nailer
Sandpaper
Wire Brush
Heat Resistant Gloves
Straight Edge/Ruler
Tape Measure
Materials
(11) 2 x 2 x 4′ Cedar Boards
(6) 1 x 6 x 8′ Cedar Boards
Water Resistant Wood Adhesive
1 ½” Stainless Steel Brad Nails
2 ½” Exterior Pocket Hole Screws
Waterproofing Finish
The Steps:
Step 1. Cut your 2 x 2 boards into the following pieces:
(4) Legs @ 17 ¾”
(4) Long Frames @ 37″
(4) Short Frames @ 21″
(3) Supports @ 37″
Step 2. Make the pocket holes
Drill pocket holes in the end of your long frames, short frames, and supports.
3. Build the base of the table
Begin building your table frame sides by attaching the short frames to the legs with pocket hole screws and wood adhesive.
Next, attach your two sides together with your long frames using pocket hole screws and wood adhesive.
Also be sure to attach your supports 6″ apart the same way.
Step 4. Burn the base
Once your base is assembled, use your BZ4500 Heat Shrink Torch for Large Surface Areas and your
Bernzomatic Propane Tank to give the wood a rich patina finish. Be sure to wear heat-resistant gloves!
Step 5. Clean up
After torching, use a wire brush to remove any char and smooth out torched wood.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 as many times as you want until you achieve your desired look.
Step 6. Mark base for placement of top boards
Once your base is prepared, find the center of the top of the base both vertically and horizontally. Mark this using a pencil and a straight edge.
Step 7. Cut chevron pieces
Next, begin cutting your chevron pieces. I’ve found that the best way to do this is to start with two pieces cut to 45-degree angle, place your boards on your base, and then trim it to size later.
Pro Tip: Outdoor wood requires room for movement, so use a spacer in between each row of your design to allow for maximum movement and drainage.
Step 8. Repeat pattern
Keep repeating this until you’re happy with your pattern. Attach each board using exterior wood adhesive and stainless-steel brad nails.
Step 9. Optional: Add trim
Use a table saw to cut any leftover boards into ¾” border strips. Attach them to the outside of your chevron patterned tabletop using brad nails and wood glue.
Step 10. Sanding
Sand your tabletop making sure to get in between each board.
Step 11. Finish
Apply waterproof finishing.
… and in one weekend of work, you’ve made a table that will entertain family and guests for seasons to come!
There are so many things I love about this coffee table, but what gets me the most is how stunning cedar looks after applying a patina finish with my Bernzomatic torch!
I also love how fun the chevron pattern is – it totally matches the outdoor bar I made for their last backyard!
I’m so excited to see this table get lots of use, especially with warm days still to come.
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Love the design of this table. I am going to make one just a little smaller for our living roon
Yes! I love that! Hope you’ll share when you’re done!
Hello,
where are the plans for this project?
Best,
Jo
Hi, the only plans available are the ones in the step-by-step listed on this post.
How do you stop the char from wood from rubbing off?
I would give it a light rub down and then use a few coats of clear. Mine doesn’t shed at all!
I love this project! Can you share what type of cedar boards you used? They look nicer than fence boards. I’m looking at Home Depot’s website and I see a pack of six planks. Love your projects. I’m inspired to tackle this table! Thank you!
Thank you! I used 1 x 6 cedar boards for this project. I found them at Home Depot!
Do you have the cutlist for the Chevron pattern, or did you just keep trial and error-ing until you got it?
No cutlist – I just cut and fit as I go. I’ve done that with all of my chevron pieces and everything just fits better that way! If you try and need some help, let me know! Happy to help!
Well Done!
Thank you!
About how much does this project cost?
I don’t remember off-hand, I’m sorry! But, I linked everything I used, so you should be able to price it out based on how much the cedar runs by you!
Itsays to use (6) 1×6×8 foot boards for the top. Really? 6 8 foot boards just for a table thats only 37×24 doesn’t make sense.
The reason I bought 6 for this project is because the chevron pattern eats up more real estate than just gluing up the boards straight. It also allows for more trial and error when cutting the chevron. I usually pick up a little extra in case I make a bad cut.
I bought 6 and still had 2 left over even with 2 bad cuts or I would have had 3 left
Sam, thanks so much for this! My wife loves the way this has turned out. This is my first big project and has been hugely inspirational in getting me going.
How do you deal with the softness of cedar? I’ve got so many dings in mine already. It’s there a suitable hardwood to use?
I’d also recommend to any readers to follow Sam’s suit and assemble the table frame upside down on A FLAT surface. I tried to do it right side up and I ended up with a bunch of uneven spots which made putting the planks on really bad because everything was uneven. I ended up spending hours trying to make it flat again.
I love this! It looks soooooo good!
Going to make my own today. Mybe i will film it and make a video of it! Thanks for the inspo! 😀
Sam
This is such a beautiful and amazing project. Well done.
I cannot find the dimensional lumber in Phoenix at Depot or Lowe’s. Might you be willing to change your lumber list to links to the actual ones you purchased so I can find them. I know you are supper busy, but if you could find time to do this I would really appreciate it.
Thanks much!!!
Hi, Sam
Thank you for sharing this project. Just built one for my deck and it looks great! I wanted to ask which outdoor finish you used. Please let me know!
Thank you for the plans. I just finished an indoor version of your table!
Hi! I was thinking about giving this table a shot, so thanks for giving out all the help! Do you think I would need to run these planks through a planer?