About The Project
This is the first of several very large outdoor trestle based dining tables I built in this style. The table measures 43” X 120” and can easily seat twelve people. The top and trestles are made from ipe wood. Ipe is an ultra-dense, durable South American hardwood known as "Brazilian Walnut.” It is ideal for high-end decking, siding, and furniture due to its 75+ year lifespan. It is extremely hard, dense, fire-resistant and insect-resistant, which makes it ideal for outdoor use in harsh climates. Ipe requires minimal maintenance, and turns a silvery-grey if not oiled, which is what the client chose for this table.
The top is made from seven planks. Narrow spacing between the planks allows for seasonal wood movement. Sets of decorative splines join the planks.
The four legs are made of anodized aluminum. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal's surface into a durable, corrosion-resistant, and decorative oxide layer, making it harder and longer-lasting. Unlike paint, which sits on the surface, anodizing works by growing a uniform oxide layer integrated with the metal, preventing chipping and peeling.
Four Ipe trestles connect the legs. The resulting mass of the base provides visual as well as physical support for the large top. The top and trestles also have a hole for holding a table umbrella.
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