What Does "Custom" Actually Mean?
When Auscraft describes a picnic table as custom, it means the table is built to your specified dimensions, in your chosen timber species, with your preferred finish and hardware. Nothing is pulled from a warehouse shelf. Every piece of timber is selected, cut, machined and assembled at our West Gosford NSW workshop after your order is confirmed.
Custom does not mean complicated. Most buyers simply specify a length, a width and a timber species. From there, Auscraft handles the engineering: the correct section sizes for your span, the appropriate joinery for the load, and the right fastener grade for outdoor exposure in your region of Australia. The result is a table built for your specific space, not for an average space that may or may not match yours.
The hardwoods Auscraft uses are native Australian species: Spotted Gum (11.0 kN Janka hardness), Ironbark (14.0 kN), Merbau (8.6 kN) and Queensland Red Gum (approximately 11 kN). All are Class 1 rated for in-ground or exposed outdoor contact, meaning they are among the most durable outdoor timbers available in Australia.
Ready to order? Request a free quote from our West Gosford NSW workshop. We respond within one business day.
Off-the-Shelf Picnic Tables: Pros and Cons
Off-the-shelf picnic tables, whether from a hardware chain, an outdoor furniture retailer or an online flat-pack supplier, have genuine advantages. The most significant is immediate availability: you can order today and receive the table within days rather than waiting for a custom build lead time. For a one-off event, a short-term installation or a situation where budget is the primary constraint, that speed and lower upfront price are real benefits.
The disadvantages become apparent over time. Off-the-shelf tables are built to standard dimensions that may not suit your space. A 1500 mm table may be too short for your courtyard; a 1800 mm table may be too long. The timber used in most imported off-the-shelf tables is pine, rubber wood or other plantation species that are not rated for sustained outdoor exposure in Australian conditions. Surface treatments such as paint or thin lacquer coatings provide short-term protection but degrade within a few seasons of UV and moisture cycling.
Custom Tables: What You Actually Get
A custom Auscraft picnic table starts with exact dimensions. If your courtyard needs a 2100 mm table with a 500 mm bench depth and a 740 mm seat height, that is what gets built. No compromises on length, no benches that end 200 mm short of where your guests need to sit.
Timber species selection lets you match the table to its environment and to your maintenance preferences. Ironbark is the hardest and most durable option, ideal for high-traffic commercial sites or coastal exposure. Spotted Gum balances hardness with a warm appearance suitable for residential and hospitality settings. Merbau is a popular choice for covered outdoor areas where a rich reddish-brown tone is preferred. Queensland Red Gum suits heritage or bush settings where a more rustic appearance is appropriate.
Every Auscraft table comes with a workshop guarantee covering structural integrity. Joinery is machined to fit, not forced together, and stainless steel or hot-dip galvanised fasteners are used throughout to prevent rust staining on the timber surface.
| Feature | Off-the-Shelf | Custom Auscraft |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan (outdoors) | 5 to 10 years | 25 to 40 years (Class 1 hardwood) |
| Timber Species | Pine or rubber wood (typical) | Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Merbau, QLD Red Gum |
| Size Options | Fixed standard sizes only | Any dimension to your specification |
| Australian Made | Usually imported | Yes, West Gosford NSW workshop |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty (often 12 months) | Workshop structural guarantee |
| Price Tier | Lower upfront | Higher upfront, lower lifetime cost |
The Price Gap: How Big Is It Really?
A custom hardwood picnic table typically costs 20 to 40 percent more upfront than a comparable off-the-shelf option. On a single purchase, that gap is noticeable. Over the lifetime of the installation, the calculation reverses.
An off-the-shelf pine table rated for 5 to 10 years outdoors may need replacement two or three times over the same period a custom hardwood table remains in service. Each replacement involves not just the purchase price but also delivery, installation labour, disposal of the old table and the downtime during replacement. For a school, council or hospitality venue running multiple tables, those hidden costs accumulate quickly.
If an off-the-shelf table costs $400 and lasts 8 years, and a custom hardwood table costs $650 and lasts 30 years, the total outlay over 30 years is approximately $1,600 for the off-the-shelf option versus $650 for the custom table. That is a 59 percent saving on total cost of ownership, before factoring in installation and removal costs.
Ready to order? Request a free quote from our West Gosford NSW workshop. We respond within one business day.
Our Classic Picnic Table is the most accessible entry point into custom hardwood, suitable for residential and light commercial use. For demanding commercial or council applications, the Premium Hardwood Picnic Table offers heavier section timbers and is available in Ironbark for maximum service life.
When Off-the-Shelf Makes Sense
There are situations where an off-the-shelf table is the right choice. If your budget is very tight and the table will only be used for one or two seasons, a lower-cost option may be appropriate. Temporary event furniture that will be stored indoors between uses and replaced after a few years does not necessarily justify the investment in custom hardwood.
Similarly, if you need a table within days and a custom build lead time does not fit your timeline, off-the-shelf availability is a genuine advantage. Auscraft will always be honest about lead times and will not promise delivery dates that cannot be met.
When Custom Is the Better Choice
Custom hardwood is the better choice for any installation intended to be permanent or semi-permanent. Schools, councils, hospitality venues, body corporates and residential properties with outdoor entertaining areas are all situations where the upfront investment in a custom table delivers a lower total cost over time.
If you have a non-standard space, custom is often the only option. A courtyard that is 1950 mm wide, a deck that is 2300 mm long, or a site where you need tables at a specific seat height for your user group, these situations cannot be solved by off-the-shelf standard sizes.
For procurement involving specific timber species requirements, school or council sustainability policies that favour Australian-made products, or commercial projects requiring documentation of timber sourcing, Auscraft can provide the information and paperwork that off-the-shelf importers typically cannot.
Explore the full range of custom hardwood options in our Australian picnic table collection and submit a quote request with your dimensions and preferred timber species.
Ready to order? Request a free quote from our West Gosford NSW workshop. We respond within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much more does a custom picnic table cost compared to off-the-shelf?
Custom hardwood picnic tables typically cost 20 to 40 percent more upfront than comparable off-the-shelf options. However, when you account for the significantly longer service life of Class 1 Australian hardwoods (25 to 40 years versus 5 to 10 years for imported softwood), the total cost of ownership over 20 to 30 years is usually lower for the custom hardwood table.
- What timber species does Auscraft use for custom picnic tables?
Auscraft builds custom picnic tables from four native Australian hardwood species: Spotted Gum (11.0 kN Janka hardness), Ironbark (14.0 kN), Merbau (8.6 kN) and Queensland Red Gum (approximately 11 kN). All species are Class 1 rated for outdoor exposure and sourced from certified Australian suppliers.
- How long does a custom Auscraft picnic table last?
Class 1 Australian hardwoods such as Ironbark and Spotted Gum have documented outdoor service lives of 25 to 40 years in above-ground applications with routine oiling every one to two years. With appropriate maintenance, some installations have exceeded 50 years of service.
- Can I get a custom size that off-the-shelf tables don't offer?
Yes. Auscraft builds to any dimensions you specify, including non-standard lengths, widths, seat heights and bench configurations. If you have a specific space or user group requirement that standard sizes cannot meet, a custom build is the practical solution. Contact us via the quote form with your target dimensions to confirm feasibility and lead time.
