Choosing the right size PVC pipe for DIY furniture projects can seem confusing, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the basics. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through how to select the optimal PVC pipe size for building sturdy, long-lasting furniture items like chairs, tables, benches, and more.
Page Contents
- 1 What is PVC Pipe?
- 2 PVC Pipe Sizes for Furniture
- 3 Factors to Consider
- 4 Recommended PVC Sizes for Common Furniture Projects
- 5 PVC Pipe Strength Properties
- 6 Sourcing PVC Pipe for DIY Projects
- 7 Cutting and Working with PVC Pipe
- 8 Joining PVC Pipe Furniture Frames
- 9 Creating Sturdy PVC Furniture
- 10 Decorative Options for PVC Furniture
- 11 Conclusion
What is PVC Pipe?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a strong, durable plastic material that is commonly used for plumbing, construction, and DIY projects. PVC pipe comes in a range of diameters, referred to as “schedules”, that determine the thickness of the pipe wall.
For furniture projects, most DIYers use Schedule 40 PVC. Schedule 40 has a medium wall thickness that provides an ideal balance of strength and weight. It is generally recommended for any application where sturdiness and structure are important.
PVC Pipe Sizes for Furniture
Schedule 40 PVC pipe is available in many standard sizes, ranging from 1/2″ all the way up to 24″ diameter. But for furniture, you’ll generally want to use the smaller diameter pipes:
- 1/2″ – Too thin for most furniture, best for decorative accents
- 3/4″ – Best for lightweight chairs or decorative elements
- 1″ – Versatile size, good for side tables, shelves, chairs
- 1 1/4″ – Provides more durability for larger furniture like benches, beds
- 1 1/2″ – Very strong, good for structural frames and weight bearing joints
While you can technically use any diameter, these smaller sizes provide the best combination of strength, workability, and appearance for furniture. Larger diameters get quite heavy and unwieldy for household DIY projects.
Factors to Consider
When selecting your PVC pipe size, keep the following factors in mind:
Furniture Type and Size
Consider both the style and dimensions of your DIY furniture project. A folding camping chair can likely use thinner 3/4″ PVC for the frame. But a sturdy workbench requires thicker piping like 1 1/4″ to prevent sagging.
PVC Joining Method
How you join the PVC pipes will impact the strength of the finished piece. For slip or friction fit connections, opt for larger diameters to maximize surface contact area. If you use PVC cement or heat welding, you can get away with slightly thinner sizes.
Wall Thickness
Along with pipe diameter, pay attention to the wall thickness when choosing your PVC schedule. Schedule 80 has thicker walls than Schedule 40, but is overkill for most basic furniture projects.
Weight Load
Consider both the empty weight of your furniture piece, as well as the maximum load you expect it to support. A lawn chair may only hold up to 250 lbs, while a PVC pipe bed frame may need to handle 500+ lbs without flexing.
Appearance
From a visual standpoint, larger diameter PVC pieces tend to look chunkier. So balance aesthetics and functionality when selecting your pipe size.
Recommended PVC Sizes for Common Furniture Projects
As a general guideline, here are the recommended PVC pipe diameters for some of the most popular DIY furniture applications:
PVC Pipe Chairs
For lightweight outdoor or folding chairs, 3/4″ or 1″ provide good support while keeping the frame slim and streamlined. Opt for 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ PVC if you need a sturdier chair for heavier adults or indoor use.
PVC Pipe Benches
Benches often have long unsupported spans which require thicker pipe – 1 1/4″ is a good minimum size, while 1 1/2″ will provide the most robustness for a long bench that sees frequent use.
PVC Pipe Bar Stools
Bar stools place more stress on the frame since they are weighted on one end by the seat. Use 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ PVC to make sure your bar stools can withstand people frequently sitting and moving around on them.
PVC Pipe Desks or Tables
For desktops or work surfaces, 1″ PVC should suffice to create the support base and legs. Opt for 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ on any cross beams spanning large distances underneath.
PVC Pipe Beds
Building a bed frame from PVC is very doable, but you’ll need thicker pipe sizes like 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ to support sleepers without any middle supports. For best results, mimic standard metal bed frame designs using cross-linked side and center rails.
PVC Pipe Shelves
For wall-mounted shelves up to 24″ deep, 1″ PVC will be strong enough when properly braced. For freestanding shelves or very long spans, move up to 1 1/4″ diameter pipes for the shelf supports.
PVC Pipe Outdoor Furniture
Any furniture that will live outdoors needs to stand up to the elements – sun, rain, temperature swings, etc. Use larger PVC diameters like 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ for better structural integrity.
PVC Pipe Strength Properties
To help decide on sizes for your specific project, here are some technical load capacity figures for different pipe diameters using standard schedule 40 PVC:
| PVC Pipe Size | Bending Strength (PSI) | Tensile Strength (PSI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ | 3,200 | 5,100 |
| 3/4″ | 5,500 | 5,500 |
| 1″ | 8,500 | 6,000 |
| 1 1/4″ | 9,000 | 6,500 |
| 1 1/2″ | 10,000 | 7,000 |
| 2″ | 11,000 | 7,500 |
In simple terms:
- Bending strength refers to the ability to resist deflection along the length of the pipe. This is important for supporting vertical loads.
- Tensile strength measures how much lengthwise pulling force a PVC pipe can withstand before breaking. This is crucial for structural integrity.
Both values go up as the pipe diameter increases, giving larger sizes much greater load capacities.
Sourcing PVC Pipe for DIY Projects
Once you’ve decided on the optimal PVC pipe sizes, it’s time to purchase your supplies. Here are some of the best places to buy:
- Home Improvement Stores – Big retailers like Home Depot and Lowes carry a variety of PVC pipe diameters and related accessories like joints and connectors.
- Plumbing Supply Stores – For wider commercial size selections, check plumbing and industrial supply outlets in your area.
- Online – Websites like PVCfittingsonline.com allow you to order any PVC pipe size and have it shipped directly to your door.
- Scrap Yards – You may be able to find used PVC pipes for cheap or even free at some construction salvage yards.
Make sure to only purchase schedule 40 or schedule 80 rated PVC. Other schedules like 20 or 120 are not approved for structural usage.
Cutting and Working with PVC Pipe
Once you have your PVC pipes, you’ll need to cut them to length for assembling your furniture. This can be done easily with just a few basic tools:
- Hacksaw – A fine-toothed hacksaw will cut through PVC quickly and cleanly.
- Power Miter Saw – For longer cuts along pipes, a miter saw with a sharp blade makes the job easy.
- Pipe Cutter – An adjustable PVC cutter tool makes straight cuts through all diameters of pipe.
- Sandpaper – Lightly sand cut edges smooth to prep for joining.
When working with PVC pipes, be sure to take safety precautions – wear eye protection, work in a ventilated area, and follow any power tool safety guidelines.
Joining PVC Pipe Furniture Frames
PVC pipes can be connected together in various ways to assemble your furniture frames:
PVC Cement
PVC cement chemically fuses pipes together for an extremely strong, permanent bond. Use a properly formulated cement like Oatey Regular Clear PVC Cement.
PVC Primer and Cement
Combining both primer and cement creates the most solid connection. PVC primer preps the surface, while the cement welds the joint.
Slip Joints
Friction fitting pipes without cement allows you to later disassemble furniture for storage or transport. Be sure to fully insert both pipes into any connectors.
Threaded Connectors
PVC fittings like tees, elbows, and couplings can be threaded to allow you to screw pipes together. Useful for more complex joints.
Heat Welding
You can locally melt and fuse PVC pieces using a heating tool like a soldering iron. Takes practice but creates a neat custom look.
Each PVC joining method has advantages and disadvantages to consider for your specific project. Do some experimenting to see what works best for your application.
Creating Sturdy PVC Furniture
Properly sized and joined PVC pipes can make incredibly strong and stable furniture frames. But here are some extra tips for adding durability:
- Reinforce joints with angled gussets for multidirectional strength.
- Use U-bolts or other fasteners to firmly secure all interconnected parts.
- Brace long spans prone to sagging or lean with additional perpendicular supports.
- Cross-link side rails and stretchers to distribute weight evenly.
- Attach broad plywood panels to the base for freestanding stability.
And don’t forget – always test your finished furniture thoroughly before allowing anyone to use it!
Decorative Options for PVC Furniture
Plain white PVC has a very utilitarian look. To make your pieces more stylish and decorative, try these options:
- Spray paint pipes in any color using Krylon Fusion spray paint formulated for plastics.
- Use radiator epoxy paint for a durable, glossy colored finish.
- Wrap pipes in colorful electrical tape, duct tape, or masking tape.
- Glue on acrylic craft gems, beads, or other embellishments using plastic-bonding cement.
- Stick on printable vinyl decals to add any pattern or imagery you desire.
Get creative mixing and matching to give your PVC furniture your unique DIY flair!
Conclusion
Choosing the right PVC pipe size for furniture builds largely comes down to finding the optimal balance of strength, weight, and appearance for your particular project.
For many common applications, 1″ to 1 1/2″ schedule 40 PVC has the ideal structural properties. Connect smaller sizes like 3/4″ PVC for decorative accents or lightweight chairs. Use larger diameters if you need to construct heavy-duty or overbuilt items.
Keep all the factors we covered here in mind, and test your PVC furniture thoroughly before putting it to use. With smart design and PVC pipes of the appropriate size, you can build durable, long-lasting furniture items to be proud of!