What should I do with the old decking boards that have been piling up in the garden for months? Before you dispose of the discarded floor panels and possibly pay money for them, you can also save on acquisition costs by recycling the floorboards. When converted into planters, patio tiles prove to be quite useful. Read how it works here.
How do I make a planter out of decking?
To make a planter out of decking, you will need a mortar barrel, usable decking or Douglas fir wood, roof battens and screws. Attach the planks around the mortar barrel, ensuring there is sufficient overhang at the top edge.
Decking boards as cladding
Making a planter exclusively from decking is unfortunately not recommended if it is intended to beautify the garden for years. You have to cheat a bit during assembly. This is done by covering a mortar barrel with decking boards. The tub inside protects the wood from contact with wet soil, which could cause rot. The easiest way is to create a planter out of square-shaped decking.
Which wood is suitable
Of course, you can use existing, old decking boards for construction. However, these should be in usable condition. Otherwise, the robust wood of Douglas fir has proven itself for building a planter.
Construction instructions
- Take measurements
- Attach roof battens
- Removing reinforcements from the mortar barrel
- Drilling and screwing
- Montage
Take measurements
- Measure the outer edges of the mortar barrel.
- Allow some leeway when cutting the decking boards (the boards must overlap at the corners).
- It is recommended to work with twice the board thickness.
Attach roof battens
Attach the roof battens to the halves and to the long sides so that you can screw the boards together
Remove reinforcement on mortar barrel
- Some mortar barrels have small handles for transport.
- Remove this to be able to attach the panel.
- Otherwise the edge will deform later.
- It is best to use a multifunctional knife to remove it.
Drilling and screwing
- To prevent the wood from splitting, pre-drill the screw holes.
- To do this, place the mortar barrel upside down.
- Lay down the decking.
- The top plank should protrude a few centimeters so that the barrel does not rest on the floor later.
- Now pre-drill the holes at an offset height.
Montage
Satisfied with the result? Then finally screw the planks tight
Usage and further tips
By the way, you can also make many other garden items from decking. The planter is also suitable as a raised bed. Or how about a birdhouse made from scraps?
