DIY a PVC Chair

by Murray Anderson

With a little creativity and very little money you can build attractive, comfortable chairs for your patio or deck that will last for years, can hold even the heaviest person, yet are light enough a child can easily move them. The trick is using PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) pipe, the rigid, white plastic pipe commonly used for drain lines in the home. Since most PVC is white in color it will provide a bright, clean appearance on your deck. However, if you don't want white, it's also available in beige or gray and can even be painted, so PVC can tie in with virtually any color scheme. As well, since PVC is plastic, it won't weather and since it's made to be buried it won't crack or lose strength over time, making it an ideal material for long lasting chairs.

A quick primer on PVC pipe

The trick to making a solid chair with PVC (as with any chair) is ensuring the joints are strong. PVC pipes are joined together by a process called 'chemical welding' that uses solvent cements (not glues) to bond the pieces together. Solvent cements actually dissolve the surfaces of the pipes being joined so when the cement dries (usually in less than a minute) the surfaces are permanently joined together, creating a joint that literally can't be pulled apart - guaranteeing a chair with joints that won't dry out and come apart over time.

Making your PVC chair

Things you need
5 – 1 ½” PVC sections 30” long
12 - 1 1/2” pieces 12” long
8 – 1 1/2” pieces 8” long
2 – 1 1/2” pieces 6” long
8 – elbow connectors
4 – 4 way connectors
PVC pipe cement (primer and sealer)
canvas 28” wide by 50” long
hack saw or fine tooth saw
rubber mallet
sandpaper or sharp knife