Table of Contents
Making the seat frame
Step three
Making the seat frame
The seat frame structure is similar to that of a ladder, with the cross members being the ‘ladder rungs’ and the seat frame sides being the ‘ladder sides’.
The over all frame width (in this case) is 470mm (18 1/2″). That measurement is worked out by the number of decking boards to go on the seat top and the gaps between the boards.
Make the seat frame (ladder) up on the ground. The cross members should be approx 400mm (16″} apart, but when spacing them out, ensure there will be a cross memberPiece of lumber that is part of a frame or structure. in line with each postsee PILE.
Make the seat frame longer than needed. It can be trimmed after being fixed in place.
Corner fitting: Sit the (over length) seat frames on top of the posts, temporary in position. The frames will overlap one another at the corners. It will then become obvious where to mark and cut where the seat frames overlap.
FixTo secure with nails or screws. the seat frame in place by nailing the cross members to the posts and then securing with two metal galvanizedCovered with a protective coating of zinc. straps (see picture next page). This will stopThe part of the plywood wall panels that overlaps the door and window frame, and protrudes into the door or window area and covers any gaps between the door/window and the surrounding frame. It acts as a stop for the door and also stops the rain getting in. any tilting movement. (Note: Some type of stainless steel straps or fittings should replace the galvanized straps, if the seat is close to salt water, i.e. the sea).
TrimThe finish materials in a building, such as narrow boards applied around openings (window trim, door trim) and vertical corner battens. the ends of the seat frames to the required length ensuring there is a cross member or end frame piece at each end of the frame.
Thanks for your excellent Deck Bench Idea. I built mine in a jiffy. Thanks again for a great website for us DIYers … More projects lined up. Gopi
Hi!
I wanted to submit some of my bench project photos.
I was helped out a great deal by the other submissions and this may help someone else.
I did things just a bit differently.
You can see from the photos that I put a trim piece, “smart-board” we call it here, around the outside of the bench.
Then the topping pieces, 2X4 in this case, hang out over the edge of the trim by about 1/1 inch (could be more if you want).
This way it is not so critical how the top boards are placed. Gives you a bit of room to play with.
In fact, although you would never know it, the front hangs over 1/2 inch but the back is closer to 3/4 inch and it varies all around the bench. Notice also that the first part of the bench frame was just built as a box, and then the second “arm” as added as a second step.
One last thing, the bench frame had to be build not connected to the 4X4 supports because I did not have room to put on the trim pieces because the bench was so close to the house and the fence.
I pre-cut the supports, removing just 1/2 inch from each side, and then glued and bolted the frame to the supports.
All in all turned out well. The bench needs to be painted and stained before it is complete.
Thanks
A while back (about April, 2010) I inquired about the measurements of the lumber you used in your deck plan. You explained that these were measurements from Australia and/or New Zealand. I have incorporated the plans to work in my situation in the USA and attached are the photos of my work and finished product.
Thanks for those plans you provided. I have never built a deck before, let alone a custom bench, and your photos and plans were a motivator to see this through to the finish. My wife and I love the finished project. It is nice and sturdy and adds a nice contemporary element to the deck, with the look and feel of a custom deck plan.
Thanks again.
Jeff Schulze – New Bern, NC, USA
Hi
John Leary is my name. I have been endeavoring to submit a photo of a DIY thru your website but could not access an email connection.
I love the site and it inspired me to undertake a deck project.
Attached is a photo of the almost finished project.
Regards
John W Leary
would love to see the posted pictures…. all blank
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS if you have a deck that is greater than 30″ above grade.
Bench seats bring your railing height down to ~16″ of protection, and children have accidentally fallen over and have been seriously injured or killed.
I’m very surprised this is not mentioned in the first sentence or heading of this post.
What if I do not have access to the joists/blocking? What would be your recommendation to secure to deck? U-brackets?