Table of Contents
Making the post holes in the deck
Use the same decking materials to construct a fixed deck seat, as used on the deck itself.
In this example, 90mm x 18mm (3/4″ x 3 1/2″) hardwood is used. If your deck is constructed out of some other material, make any necessary measurement adjustments to compensate for any material size differences exampled in the following plans.
Step one
Marking the post holes in the deck
It will be necessary to cut square holes in the deck for the seat posts to slot into.
The distances between seat posts will vary depending on the existing deck’s joist spacings, but should never be more than 1500mm (5ft) apart.
Position the holes next to the joists (see drawing), or in the case where that is not possible or where there are no joists, blocking needs to be fitted.
Cutting the post holes in the deck
Mark the holes central to the width of the seat, and ensure the holes do not span more than 1500mm (5ft). Use the end of a post as a marking template. Cut the holes out using a jig saw, drilling a 10mm (3/8″) hole in one corner first, to enable the jigsaw to get started.
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?