If you want to learn more about how to build a garden bench, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. Select the right garden bench plans for your needs before starting the actual construction project. There are so many designs and plans to choose from, that we really recommend you to browse through the related plans before buying the materials and starting the assembly. Work with attention and invest in high quality materials.
If you want to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to plan everything with attention, as to prevent costly mistakes and to build a professional bench. Invest in high quality materials, such as cedar, pine or redwood, as the bench will be exposed to all kinds of weather. Apply a few coats of paint over the components, to enhance their appearance and to protect them from bad weather.
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How to Build a Garden Bench
Building a garden bench
Materials
- 1 – 2 pieces of 1×12 lumber – 26”, 2 pieces – 36″ LEGS
- 2 – 2 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 48″, 3 pieces – 18 1/2″ FRAME
- 3 – 2 pieces of 1×12 lumber – 48″ SEAT
- 4 – 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 20″, 4 pieces – 21 3/4″” BACK SUPPORT
- 5 – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 21″x48″ BACKREST
- 3 pieces of 1×12 lumber – 8 ft
- 2 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 8 ft
- 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
- 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 2’x4′
- wood stain
- wood glue
Tools
- Hammer, Tape measure, Carpentry square
- Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Router
- Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses, Respiratory Mask
Time
- One day
Building a garden bench
Building the sides of the bench
The first step of the woodworking project is to build the legs of the wooden bench. Therefore, we recommend you to mark the cut lines on the slats and to make the cuts using a nice jigsaw. Smooth the cut edges with sandpaper and remove the residues with a cleaner. Drill pocket holes on both slats, before locking them together with galvanized screws. Add waterproof glue to the joints in order to create a rigid structure.
Building the seat frame
The next step of the garden project is to build the frame of the seat. Cut the components out of 2×3 lumber and lock them together tightly. Drill pilot holes through the long components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the corners are right-angled and add glue to the joints.
Attaching the seat slats
Next, attach the 1×12 slats to the seat frame. Align the slats at both ends, leave no gaps between them, drill pilot holes and insert the screws into the frame of the seat. Add glue to enhance the rigidity of the structure.
Building the back supports
Building the supports for the backrest is a straight-forward process, as you just need to build the back supports using the pattern described in the plans. Mark the cut line on the slats and make the cuts with a circular saw.
Fitting the supports
Fit the supports into place, using the information described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the supports and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ galvanized screws. Make sure you place the vertical supports equally spaced and create a rigid joint. In addition, drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal supports and secure them to the vertical components with 2 1/2″ screws.
Attach the backrest
Cut the backrest out of 3/4″ plywood and secure it to the frame, by using 1 1/4″ screws. Add waterproof glue to the joints in order to enhance the rigidity of the structure. Cut the ends of the plywood piece at 80 degrees, in order to get a professional result.
How to build a garden bench
Last but not least, you should take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, we recommend you to check if the components are locked into place properly and structure is rigid enough for your garden. Make sure there are no protruding screws or sharp edges.
PRO TIP: Fill the holes with a good wood filler and smooth the surface with medium-grit sandpaper. Apply several coats of paint or stain over the components, in order to protect them from decay. Check out the rest of the project to learn more about building garden projects.
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