I know I have talked about necessity being the mother of invention in the past, but it couldn’t have held more true with my last project.
I had been searching online for a deck box to store our yard games, grilling necessities, and the like. I didn’t really think I was asking for much. Just a quality box made out of wood that would last.
Apparently that is further out of reach than I expected. Almost every deck box I found looked cheap or had terrible reviews. Since I couldn’t find what I wanted, I just decided to make one. That way I was going to get EXACTLY what I wanted. (That is the whole point of customization, right?)
I started my list of requirements.
– 4′ long, 18″ deep (necessary to not impede traffic flow) and about 20″ tall to allow for a good amount of storage but to also double as extra seating.
-watertight but not airtight (this one was a little trickier, but they are not mutually exclusive). More on that later.
-outdoor quality lumber to hold up for years
-unique hardware
-a finish that blends with my house trim.
I had my dimensions figured out, so next, I needed to pick my material. I settled on a mahogany decking material. It holds up in weather, and with a coat of stain, I could match it to the trim on the house.
I constructed each of the side panels and the lid from the mahogany decking. I attached everything to a cedar frame and added a pressure treated plywood bottom and the inside surfaces. To the base, I attached an additional cedar frame with furniture glides screwed into the bottom to keep the whole thing from sitting in water on the deck.
Finally, I needed to address the watertight-but-not-airtight situation. I want the contents to stay dry, but sealing them in an airtight box can lead to mold and mildew. I solved the problem by drilling 1 1/4″ holes in the bottom. This will allow for air to circulate, but rain will not get in. To keep bugs and other pests out, I covered the holes with screening and caulked the edges of the screen down for a nice seal.
I finished the box off with some wrought iron door handles with an exterior finish.
I am in love with the finished product. It has already endured multiple thunderstorms and stayed dry inside. Like I always say, if you can’t find what you want, custom build!!
