How to Build an Adirondack Chair

These instructions walk you through cutting the chair parts to size, assembling the components and finishing your chair with a stain or paint of your choice.

We’ve also got some ideas for decorating your outdoor space once you’ve built a chair or two.

Make the Chair Sides

Cut the legs (A), stretchers (B) and angled braces (C) to length (Project Diagram, Cut List and Diagram) from 1-by-6 cedar boards.

Tip

Cedar boards often come with one smooth and one rough face. Sand all surfaces of each board with 100-grit sandpaper as you assemble the chair — sand the rough face just enough to remove any splinters. Turn the rough surface toward the inside of the chair so the side of the boards you touch will be smooth.

Complete the Chair Frame

Cut the two seat rails (D), back rail (E) and back cleat (F) to length from 1-by-6 boards (Project Diagram, Cut List and Diagram).

Tip

How thick is a board? A typical 1-by-6 cedar board is usually thicker than the pine or pressure-treated pine boards you find at the store. The cedar can run up to 7/8-inch thick, while the others are typically very close to 3/4 inch. This 1/8-inch difference can add up quickly and throw your dimensions off.

If building the chair with cedar for the frame and pine for the slats, as we did, you’ve got no worries. However, if you choose to build the frame out of pine — or pressure-treated pine — you’ll need to make a few small changes.

For the seat rails (D), back rail (E) and back cleat (F), cut the parts 1/4 inch longer than called for in the materials list. This is due to the variation in the thickness of the angle brace and the offset on both sides of the chair. Add the 1/8-inch dimension shown on each end of the rails to account for the changes (Project Diagram, Drawing 2, Drawing 3 and Drawing 5).

Add the Slats

Cut the remaining parts to length — use whitewood (pine) for the back slats (I) and seat slats (J); use cedar for the side slats (K) (Project Diagram, Cut List).

Good to Know

We made the seat and back parts from whitewood and painted them. This saved money on materials and added a splash of color. You could also use cedar and a semitransparent or solid-color deck stain. If you use cedar, place the rough face down or to the back. The entire chair could also be built with pressure-treated pine.

Place the four back slats in position and secure to the chair using screws (Project Diagram, Drawing 6). The bottom of the back slats should align with the bottom face of the back cleat (F). Space the slats equally across the backrest, leaving about 5/16 inch between the parts.

Good to Know

When driving the screws for the back slats, be sure to adjust the position of the screws so they go through the sides of the slat and into the rails — each screw position will need to be adjusted slightly to make sure you get a firm bite into the back rail.

Finish the Adirondack Chair

Reinstall the seat and back slats and paint the screw heads to help them blend into the chair.

Good to Know

When selecting screws for outdoor projects, consider the material you’re using. Today’s fasteners are designed and coated to be compatible with a variety of materials.

• Stainless-steel fasteners offer the ultimate in corrosion resistance and are great for all materials. Drilling countersunk pilot holes should be standard practice with stainless steel screws.

• Coated deck fasteners, designed for compatibility with the chemicals found in wood, last the life of your material and come in a variety of colors. Choose a coating based on your material, such as cedar, treated pine or composite decking. Many of these screws will drive without a pilot hole, but drilling a pilot hole when working near the edge of a board is always recommended to avoid splits.

Adirondack Chair DIY FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about building your own Adirondack chairs.

How much does it cost to build an Adirondack chair?

The cost of DIYing an Adirondack chair depends on what lumber you decide to use and if the cost of that lumber has flucuated. Typically, the materials will cost over $100. However, when you build a piece of furniture yourself with a quality material, it’s built to last and becomes a heirloom piece. Isn’t that priceless?

Do you need to paint or stain an Adirondack chair?

Paint or stain can help protect your Adirondack chair from the elements, which is why it’s always a great idea to add a coat or two. Not only that, it allows you to customize the color to fit in with your décor. Also, if you want to use a lower-cost lumber that isn’t as naturally pretty as cedar, it’s an easy way to disguise it.

What type of wood should you use to DIY Adirondack chairs?

Cedar is a great choice for building your own Adirondack chairs. Cedar has a natural resistance to moisture, rot and insects, making it a perfect low-maintenance option for many outdoor projects. Plus, it has a natural warmth and beauty that’s perfect for Adirondack chairs.

Our project below uses cedar wood for the frame and the more economical pine for the slats, but we’ve also got tips for using pine or treated pine for the entire chair. These options can reduce the cost of materials and give you an opportunity to paint or stain the chairs to get the look of your choice.

Are Adirondack chairs hard to build?

It’s relatively easy to build do-it-yourself Adirondack chairs if you have some intermediate-level woodworking skills and the right tools. Our plans for an Adirondack chair give you step-by-step instructions, illustrations and even a video to show you how to make an upright version of this popular chair.

Once you’ve built a couple of chairs, you’ll be ready to take on more woodworking projects.

Why are Adirondack chairs slanted?

The characteristic slant of Adirondack chairs lets you sit comfortably on any terrain, including the sloped ground in the region of the Adirondack Mountains of New York state, where the original design for what we now call the Adirondack chair was created.

These plans for an Adirondack chair create a chair that’s more upright than the standard design, but it still has the slatted seat and back as well as the wide armrests that are characteristic of the traditional Adirondack chair design.

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Adirondack Chairs: Easy and Free DIY Plans

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

How to Build an Adirondack Chair

Make the Chair Sides

Complete the Chair Frame

Add the Slats

Finish the Adirondack Chair

Adirondack Chair DIY FAQs

How much does it cost to build an Adirondack chair?

Do you need to paint or stain an Adirondack chair?

What type of wood should you use to DIY Adirondack chairs?

Are Adirondack chairs hard to build?

Why are Adirondack chairs slanted?

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