sealingwoodwood-finishwoodworking
I'm planning on building a wood planter box for some edible herbs. (Similar to this; in Maple and a bit more squarish.) I already plan to glue the wood with Tidebond III as it is waterproof. My question is how to seal the wood itself from the water.
So far I've seen the following suggestions :
What would be the best? Should I consider Cedar instead of Maple?
Caulk or a paintable frame sealant would work.
We've used the latter on our Victorian doors to fill gaps between mouldings the body of the door where the wood has shrunk over the years.
Make sure you don't overdo it and smooth down the sealant with a damp cloth or finger straight away. This will push the sealant all the way into the gap.
If you like the current look of the wood, then you should not stain it, as any stain will alter the color. 2 or 3 coats of clear polyurethane will highlight the look of the wood without altering the color.
I suggest a clear, satin finish, as glossy would make your table look shiny.
Such as:
Best Answer
I have made a few exterior window boxes and none lasted long with the wood in contact with the soil. I would make the boxes of whatever wood and finish matches yor kitchen. I would seal the inside with an exterior grade urethane. The idea is to protect the wood from the dampness and occasional water spill. I have had the best long term results by using a plastic container to hold the soil. The box is just a decorative holder for the plastic containers