Buying the treated wood and not painting is the easier route in my opinion. Just curious what the OB experiences are on how treated blinds hold up versus painted pine?

I originally thought about throwing a coat of paint over the treated lumber, but I'm building it this weekend and want to get it in the woods asap. I think in order to paint treated lumber it needs to dry out pretty good (and I don't have much time), although I don't have any experience with painting treated lumber.

Paint on treated lumber really doesn't do anything. It will peel off. I've had a blind in East TX for 7 years, and it's still going strong. Treated 2x6, 1x4, and 2x4. If you want some good sides, instead of plywood, get some super siding from Home Depot. Stuff is like Hardie siding, but lighter. It's primed, and you really don't even have to paint it. Tough stuff.

There are standard wood blinds that have outlasted the treated wood ones....just saying. Not sure treated is worth the extra $$$

I think I'd go with paint, or as mentioned above, the siding.

I appreciate the responses. Paint isn't the answer I was hoping to get (I hate painting), but I was afraid that would be the consensus of the OB. The blind I'm replacing has been in the woods year round for over 15 years. It's painted and honestly should have been replaced a few years ago, but it has remained in good enough condition that I've still been able to use it.

On a slightly different note, I searched "deer blind designs" the other day and a thread from the TexAgs OB made the first page of google results!!!

Build it out of FinForm and put it in your will.

Depends some on where you are at and how much humidity there is.
A blind will last longer in the drier hill country than in the wetter east Texas regions

Just built 2 blinds for the back of hunting trucks this weekend. Metal frame, 3/4" treated for the bottom, 11/32" non-treated for top and sides, Duro-last roof, prime/paint sides.

[This message has been edited by txaggie02 (edited 8/22/2012 7:45a).]

If it is going to be a ground stand, go with treated around the base (use some cinder blocks to lift it up a little bit), but if it's going to be raised, I would go with regular 2x6's on the base and 2x2's to frame it out. Do you have blueprints already?

Everyone on here probably gets sick of me re-posting this, but I enjoy building a good deer stand. In my opinion, if your hunting experience in your deer stand is enjoyable, you're more likely going to want to sit in it more and for longer periods on time!

Here is a link from my build awhile back-- http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=34&topic_id=1694834&page=1&nomobile=1

That siding mentioned above is some good stuff! I'll probably make my next one with it. Just make sure you use primer AND paint (inside and out. I did 2 coats of each)so you don't have any wood rotting. Also, the more wood glue you use, the less "squeaking" noise you will hear on windy days in November!

Other helpful tips:
-go to Home Depot or Lowes and find their "Opp's paint (stuff returned) and get your outdoor primer there.
-use galvanized screw AND wood glue
-check into renting a airless painter. For a guy that hates painting, it might be worth the $40-60 for a days use!
-slope your roof so water never sits on it. And slope it away from your entry door. (a buddy of mine slopped his roof on his stand, but it was slopping towards the ladder he used to get in it...so if it was raining pretty good, water was coming down right on him! haha)
-use the metal/tin material on the roof (use the special tin screw and screw it to the 2x2 that is cut out like a "wave"
-find a local carpet store and go over there one evening and find some old carpet in the dumpster. Make sure it's not stuff removed from a murder scene, though!
-look on craigslist for used reclining office chairs.