How Do I Build Built-In Bench Seats for a Deck?
Adding a bench to an existing deck makes it more user friendly and is an open invitation for guests to come out and relax on the deck. This makes neighborhood barbecues and birthday parties something to remember. Building a bench also adds to the deck's attractiveness, thereby adding to the value of the property. Building and installing the bench seat so the deck handrails are the back to the bench gives it a built-in look and ties it directly to the deck structure itself. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Two pieces of 2-by-4-by-15-inch lumber
- Two pieces of 2-by-4-by-48-inch lumber
- Variable speed drill
- Philips head screw tip
- 3-inch deck screws
- 1 piece of 2-by-4-by-9-inch lumber
- 4 pieces of 4-by-4-by-18-inch lumber
- 3 pieces of 2-by-4-by-54-inch lumber
Instructions
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1
Place the two 15-inch 2x4s on a worktable on their 3 1/2-inch side. Measuring from one end, make a mark at 12 inches. Place the 48-inch 2x4s on a worktable parallel to each other and on their 1 1/2-inch edge.
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2
Place the 15-inch 2x4s on the ends of the 48-inch 2x4s, and secure them with the deck screws---one on the 12-inch mark and the other on the ends. This will result in a rectangular-shaped box with 3 inches of the 15-inch sides sticking out of what will be the back of the bench.
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3
Mark the center of the 48-inch pieces, and secure the 9-inch 2x4 in the center of the rectangle box with the deck screws. Set the 18-inch 4x4s in the four corners of the ends of the rectangle, and secure them to the box with the deck screws. These are the legs of the bench.
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4
Place this frame against the deck handrails so that the 3 inches sticking out of the back are placed against two of the vertical pieces of the handrail. Secure the frame to the handrail with the deck screws.
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5
Install the 54-inch 2x4s to the top of the frame, spacing them out to cover the frame. Be sure to let them hang over the sides of the frame evenly.
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Tips & Warnings
To make the bench seat wider, use 18-inch 2x4s for the sides, and mark them at 15 inches instead of 12 inches.
Drill pilot holes for the deck screws with a 1/16-inch drill bit if the lumber splits while installing the screws.
Do not leave power tools unattended in the presence of children.
Do not apply waterproof to the lumber without gloves and safety goggles.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cabin 2 image by Colin Buckland from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Ok I undesraqtnd these directions as an expereinced deck andsuch builder, But you have no pictures or drawings so most will just 'clcik on immediattelty'. Thus you deny them your good, non-mtaerial wasteful design. Please correct this and thus making a more hormonius world.
