# Need a flat outdoor surface 20 inch X 26 inch **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387 "2022-08-09T21:05:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/1 "2022-08-09T21:05:06Z")
I’m currently using a piece of plywood to cover a shallow trough and setting flower pots on it; like a small table top. The weather has taken a toll on this piece of wood so I’d like to replace it. Its 20 X 26inch rectangle though the corners are rounded to a more ‘oval’ shape. I can certainly cut out another piece of plywood, but I’m looking for options. Is there anything else that I can obtain that is fairly inexpensive? It does need to withstand weather conditions and not bow under the weight of the items I put on it. Plastic? Metal? do they make 'pressure treated plywood? Plywood coated with some protectant? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/2 "2022-08-09T21:07:40Z")
Could you plant the plants in the plant pots in the trough ? (ie, do away with the wood) ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/3 "2022-08-09T21:09:55Z")
Look at a piece of AdvanTech flooring. It comes in 4x8 sheets, and is very durable. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/4 "2022-08-09T21:10:14Z")
I’d use cement board. Any wood product, no matter how well treated, will eventually rot. Flat surfaces are by far the hardest to protect. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/5 "2022-08-09T21:10:47Z")
Yeah, they make green-treated plywood. I know that Menards has (so, I’m assuming whatever hardware / lawn and garden store you have by you should have) pavers 18" X 18"; I’m pretty sure they have 24"X24: - could you use two of those to cover the hole? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/6 "2022-08-09T21:11:52Z")
You can get a giant paver or two to span the 20" gap. I see some at Lowes that are 23" square and 1.5" thick. You could fill the trough with river rocks, that would let water flow, if that’s the concern. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/7 "2022-08-10T01:06:29Z")
ETA: never mind misread requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/8 "2022-08-11T06:43:25Z")
You might consider oriented strand board (OSB). It’s commonly used for roof sheathing, comes in 4X8 sheets, different thicknesses and water resistant, not waterproof but I’ve seen it last for several years outside, untreated. To extend moisture resistance, apply one coat of an oil based sealer and 2 coats of oil based paint to both sides and the edges. Or, if you really want protection, use an epoxy paint. If bowing from weight is a concern, reinforce the bottom side with 1x2’s, 2X4’s, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/9 "2022-08-11T07:32:37Z")
I think OSB is unlikely to last long when it is in a flat, level orientation. It can last a while when it’s standing vertically or even just with enough of a gradient to shed rain, but flat, it’s going to get a pool of water on it every time it rains and that will just soak in; the board will turn to muesli in a fairly short time. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/10 "2022-08-11T07:42:47Z")
How long does it need to last, and does it need to be a single piece? You can cut an eight foot pressure treated 2x8 into three pieces to cover the trough and they’ll hold up pretty much anything lighter than a car. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/11 "2022-08-11T08:24:02Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > using a piece of plywood to cover a shallow trough and setting flower pots on it; Is the trough, like, a ditch in the ground? Or is it an elevated object, like a cattle trough? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/12 "2022-08-11T09:31:43Z")
How about buying a cheap plastic patio table and unscrewing the legs? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/13 "2022-08-11T13:17:40Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > You could fill the trough with river rocks, that would let water flow, if that’s the concern. Similar - thinking outside the box - could you find some kind of a metal grate to put over the trough to hold up the flowerpots? ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/14 "2022-08-11T14:17:19Z")
Its elevated about 4 ft off the ground. Its the bottom half of an old grill on its old stand. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/15 "2022-08-11T14:39:46Z")
PT Plywood is readily available. > **[3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Ground Contact Pressure Treated Pine Performance...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Ground-Contact-Pressure-Treated-Pine-Performance-Rated-Sheathing-106128/206971071)** > > Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine meets the highest grading standards for strength and appearance. Treated for protection against fungal decay, rot and termites, it is ideal for ground contact and Should last a good long time and avoid the warping and cupping regular plywood experiences outdoors. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/16 "2022-08-11T15:35:03Z")
If you can do basic woodworking, you could make something yourself. For example, with a pressure treated 2x4 and a cedar fence plank, you could make a cover that’s like a little deck. Cut the 2x4 into 2 or 3 26" sections and put them across the trough. Screw the planks to the 2x4 sections. It should be plenty strong. The cedar is weather resistant and the pressure treated 2x4’s will be okay on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/17 "2022-08-11T15:54:59Z")
For a cheap method I would use plywood and and a good exterior paint. House paint is the cheapest (lots of it free on Craigslist in my area), you might even find the wood free on CL too. It would look nicer than pressure treated too. Another option I used on an outdoor shelf my wife uses for plants are ceramic tiles. I found some 24X30 tiles at a garage sale for $2 each and cut them to fit using my [Dremel Saw Max](https://www.dremel.com/us/en/p/sm20-f013sm2000). Another option I have would have at this time is some Trex decking, I have about 500 feet of it. I would give you some if you lived nearby. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/18 "2022-08-11T16:00:58Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > How about buying a cheap plastic patio table and unscrewing the legs? This will be the simplest, best look, longest lasting, and probably cheapest way to do it. Only requires not screwing in the legs in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-flat-outdoor-surface-20-inch-x-26-inch/969387/19 "2022-08-11T16:16:29Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > You can get a giant paver or two to span the 20" gap. I see some at Lowes that are 23" square and 1.5" thick. Yes, pavers/patio blocks are the solution. It looks like you would need a couple of them unless 24" X 24" will work. See: > **[Pavers - Hardscapes - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Hardscapes-Pavers/N-5yc1vZbx4b)** > > Get free shipping on qualified Pavers products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Outdoors Department. > **[Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls at Lowes.com](https://www.lowes.com/c/Pavers-retaining-walls-Lawn-garden)** > > Find the perfect pavers and retaining walls with brands like Belgard and Oldcastle. Shop by material or shape to fit your needs. > **[Search Results at Menards®](https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/landscaping-materials/pavers-patio-blocks/c-5786.htm)** > > Accent your landscape with our selection of decorative pavers, available in a variety of styles.