How Is Our DIY Outdoor Chalkboard Holding Up After 3 Years?
Find out how our DIY giant outdoor chalkboard is holding up after 3 years!
It’s the question I’ve been getting a ton lately and I thought, heck, since it’s been over 3 years since we DIYed our giant outdoor chalkboard (as my kiddo's 3rd birthday present) it was time to revisit the project and answer the burning question!
Want to get on the fast track to decorating your home without the overwhelm and indecision? Click here to learn more about my self-paced online course and coaching program, Style Your Way Home.
The short answer is, awesome!
It pretty much looks like the day we hung it up on the fence and has been outside year round with absolutely no maintenance what-so-ever. Well – besides replacing the plastic buckets and the sidewalk chalk supply.
Why did it hold up so well?
We used HardiBacker board which is cement board. The same stuff you would use when tiling a tub surround. Unlike drywall it doesn’t absorb moisture so it doesn’t expand and contract.
The chalkboard paint we used is just regular chalkboard paint, and we haven’t had to put a new coat of paint on either. When the kids leave their art and scribbles on it for a few days, it’s a little bit harder to erase, especially if it has rained or been damp. But the easy fix is to rub the side of a piece of chalk all over the chalkboard surface and then wipe it off in a circular motion to “reseason” the chalkboard
You can see in the image below that there hasn’t been any weather damage.
Has it been up year round?
Sure has! Granted we live in Southern California so we don't have snow, but it does rain. We have some pretty humid months and it hasn't been a problem.
How much did the project cost?
I have links to all of the exact materials we used for our outdoor chalkboard in the tutorial post (which by the way was my second ever blog post and first ever tutorial post), and it will run you about 110-150 bucks for an 8 foot chalkboard.
Of course you could make it half the size, but 8 feet easily fits about four kids standing and drawing away, which is nice for when we have friends over. (And the very subtle seam down the middle acts as a referee for my kids to stay on their side so a fist fight doesn’t ensue.)
This has been a great addition to our backyard. It’s a fun spot for the kids to hang out and for us to sit back and sip an adult beverage while they play a fierce game of tic-tac-toe or practice their writing.
You May Also Like
If you want to build your own outdoor chalkboard, I’ve got the step-by-step tutorial and materials list in this post right here.
Have a fantastic day!
Frequently Asked Questions - Chalkboard Holding Up
Did you need a special drill/screws to drill into a Hardieboard?
Since Hardie is cement based, you’ll want to make sure you’re using screws/ drill bits that are suitable for that material.
How many coats of chalkboard paint did you use?
I used two coats of Rustoleum chalkboard paint (see supplies list). The paint is labelled for interior use but it's held up just fine.
Can I use an existing chalkboard?
It depends on what it’s made out of. If it’s particle board it won’t last outside. The cement board I used doesn’t absorb water which is why it lasts so long.
How heavy is this chalkboard?
It is heavy so you will need your fence to be sturdy. We did not attach ours to the actual wood fence, but to the fence posts.
Ready to create a home that feels like you without the overwhelm?
Inside my course, Style Your Way Home, I'll teach you my step-by-step approach to discovering your unique design style and how to incorporate all the styles you love into your own home design plan. Plus, you'll learn my simple 4 step process to to apply your decor plan to any room in your home so you can make quick and confident decisions and create a home that feels like YOU.
