All-Season Bench

Provide a seating solution for outdoor entertaining.

 

With this project, you'll have a place to relax and enjoy special occasions in your backyard sanctuary. Build this long-lasting accessory, and you and your guests can have ample seating for years to come.

General Instructions

Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List as a guide and adjusting for fit. Attach all parts using glue and 16d nails unless otherwise specified.

All-Season Bench

Step-by-Step
  1. Build the bench (see Figure 1).
    • Cut the bench slats to length.
    • Place the bench slats on a work surface adjacent to each other, and measure the width across the three boards to determine the short dimensions for the miter cuts of the two end pieces.
    • Cut the end pieces to length.
    • Cut the side pieces to match the length of the bench slats at the short points of the miter cuts.
    • Assemble the frame of the side and end pieces.
    • Install the bench slats.
    • Using glue and 8d nails, attach the three cross braces, placing one at the center and the other two equidistant from the center and the ends.
    • Using glue and wire brads, secure the ornamental mouldings along the centerline on the side pieces at 3 inches and 6 inches from each end of the bench assembly.
  2. Build the columns (see Figure 2).
    • If the columns will be built on an existing patio, footings will not be necessary. If the columns are located on dirt, footings should be poured using a concrete mix. Footings that measure 24 inches square and 6 inches deep should be sufficient, but check with your local building inspector to be sure, as soil conditions vary.
    • Using landscape block adhesive, arrange the wall block as shown in Figure 2.
    • Continue building courses of stone, being sure to alternate the wall block arrangement, overlapping each wall block.
    • After completing the fourth course of both columns, install the bench assembly.
    • Place the bench assembly on the two columns centered in each direction.
    • Place a wall block adjacent to the bench assembly at each end.
    • Measure the difference in height so that the top of the bench will be even with the top of the wall block on both sides. Cut and place two shims underneath each end of the bench to raise it.
    • Finish the course of stone by cutting the wall block to fit at the ends of the bench assembly.
    • If you are building two benches, add the second bench to the next course (on top of the first bench) as shown.
    • Continue construction of both columns until you have seven courses in each column.
    • Cap each column using seven pavers as shown in Figure 2.
    • Apply a finish to the bench assembly.
Illustration

Cut List

Part

Material

Size (in inches)

Quantity

bench slats 2 x 6 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 94 3
sides (10-foot-long) 2 x 4 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 96 3/4 2
ends (10-foot-long) 2 x 4 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 19 1/2 2
cross braces (8-foot-long) 2 x 4 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 16 1/2 3
shims 2 x 4 scrap cut to fit 4

Finished Dimensions (including columns):

Height: 32 inches
Depth: 19 1/2 inches
Width: 10 inches

All-Season Bench

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Project Details
Skillset: Intermediate
Rough Cost Estimate: $330*
Rough Time Estimate: 1 day
Tools
  • Miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
  • Masonry Blade
  • Power Sander with various grits of sandpaper
  • Pneumatic Nail Gun (or hammer)
  • Framing Square
  • Clamps
  • Tape Measure
  • Pencil
Lumber**
  • 2 (10-foot-long) 2 x 4s, Treated Southern Yellow Pine (TSYP)
  • 1 (8-foot-long) 2 x 4, TSYP
  • 3 (8-foot-long) 2 x 6s, TSYP
Materials and Hardware
  • 1 box 16d Galvanized Finishing Nails
  • Accent Tile (Emsir, black and copper, special order)
  • 1 Box 8d Galvanized Finishing Nails
  • 1 Box (#17 x 1-inch) Wire Brads
  • 2 Packages of Ornamental Mouldings
  • 2 Tubes of Landscape Block Adhesive
  • 62 Pieces of Wall Block
  • 14 Pieces of Pavers
  • Wood Glue rated for exterior use

*Availability varies by market.

**Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market, or the cost of tools.

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