What timber panel for Gabion seat outdoors?

[kelbie]

what timber panel from bunnings would work on top of a gabion seat outdoors please

[AlanM52]

Hi @kelbie,

Have a look at this posted by one of our very active members 🙂

Cheers

[MitchellMc]

Hi @kelbie,

Most sheet products you’ll see at Bunnings, such as MDF or standard interior plywood, aren’t suitable for use outdoors, especially in a spot like a gabion seat where they’ll be exposed to weather from all sides. Even exterior or marine-grade plywood can struggle long-term unless it is completely sealed on every face and edge with a high-quality exterior or marine varnish, and any failure in that coating will let moisture into the timber fibres and lead to deterioration over time.

A more durable and lower-risk option would be to build up a simple timber frame that sits on top of the gabion and then use solid timber boards rather than a panel. Hardwood decking boards, such as merbau or similar hardwood decking available at Bunnings, work very well for this application. They are designed for full exterior exposure, provide good strength for seating, and look great on a gabion base. As long as the boards are fixed properly and kept oiled periodically, they’ll handle the elements far better than any sheet material.

If you like, you can also leave small gaps between boards for drainage, which helps prevent water pooling and further extends the life of the seat top.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell