Build Deck Bench Seating
Deck bench seating like this is not hard to build. The shelf above needs to be covered, but that’s child’s play. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
"Benches are just very wide chairs in my opinion. I don’t like hoping something is going to work so I always look at existing benches and take measurements."
Build Deck Bench Seating Checklist
- A bench is just a series of small walls
- Copy dimensions from favorite chairs in your home
- WATCH cheeky building video below
- Use straight treated lumber and coated screws
- CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!
DEAR TIM: This past weekend I was at a party and sat on a bench that was built into the deck. It was such a clever idea and it had handy armrests that were perfect to set food plates or drinks on.
I want to build bench seating on my deck. What are the most important things to consider?
Although I’m not a great do-it-yourselfer, I can follow directions. I want it to be strong and durable. Aimee P., Carbondale, IL
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DEAR AIMEE: I’m a big fan of deck bench seating.
What is Comfortable Deck Bench Seating?
A few years ago my wife purchased a free-standing teak bench that was seven feet long and about 24 inches wide. It came with a cushion. I loved laying down on that bench in the warm sun like a lizard would on a rock.
Last year I completely remodeled two decks on my home and I constructed a new deck that attached to the posts that support my upper deck. I knew when I was planning this new deck that I wanted to put in a new built-in bench as the teak bench had seen better days.
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What's the Best Plan for Deck Benches?
The best plan for deck benches is to go sit on a few existing benches until you discover one that's comfortable. Take photos and measurements so you can copy the design.
I used the teak bench dimensions as a basis for my plan, but I ended up altering it to a degree to fit bench cushions we could find online that were a standard size. You don’t have to have cushions to sit on, but I recommend it.
Find the cushions you like at an affordable price and then size the bench seat to fit the cushions. If you order custom-sized cushions made to fit a bench you make, the price might take your breath away.
What Are Deck Benches?
Benches are just very wide chairs in my opinion. I don’t like hoping something is going to work so I always look at existing benches and take measurements.
I’m sure you have a favorite chair in your home that’s extremely comfortable. Measure how high off the floor the top of the seat is and how deep the seat is from front to back.
What are Common Chair Dimensions?
My guess is you’ll discover the seat is usually about 19 inches up off the floor. The front to back measurement will be about 22 inches. If you build a bench too high your legs dangle. If it’s too low, you end up squatting uncomfortably. The front to back dimension is also critical so you don’t end up leaning back too far.
I built my bench with a 90-degree orientation to the seat and the back. The reason is the back of my bench does double duty as it’s a wall that supports a long shelf my wife wanted me to make for potted plants.
Build A Bench Video
This Australian has got the right idea about a few things. I think his video should help you.
What is an Adirondack Deck Bench?
An Adirondack deck bench is one that has a sloped seat and sloped back at the same angles as those on an Adirondack chair.
If you’ve ever sat in an Adirondack chair you may want to mimic this design for your bench. It’s more work to create the angled back and seat, but the long-term comfort of sitting on the bench may be worth it. The only disadvantage to this design is you can’t lay horizontally on the bench without getting jammed into the corner where the seat meets the back of the bench.
The other issue with the Adirondack style is the armrests on the typical chair help you get up out of the low chair. People sitting on a bench would not have these and it could be problematic for older folks to get up. Just keep that in mind as you plan.
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How Long Does It Take To Build a Bench Frame?
I built the framework for my deck bench in less than an hour. If you looked at the different components after they were built, I just had four small rectangles that were various lengths and widths.
Here's the framework for the back wall of the bench. The top of it will become a platform for flowers. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
Here's the top of the platform going in. Rather than build a giant 16-foot long wall for the top, I did it in two sections I could handle without help. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
One of the rectangles formed the seat and I screwed the long edge into the tall vertical wall that formed the back of the bench. You might end up screwing your seat to your deck railing posts or to the wall of your home.
You can clearly see the seat coming into form. It's just a rectangle wall built with treated 2x4s. I have a block supporting it until I finish the tiny wall under it that will support the seat and any people. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
I'm using my handy Bosch impact driver to drive the coated timber screws. It's a bad idea to use nails. They'll loosen over time. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have the Bosch impact driver delivered to your home.
I built a tiny long wall that was the same length as the seat. This wall was inset from the front of the bench about 5 inches. This wall provided plenty of support so the seat would never collapse. The inset is easier on your legs as some people tend to tuck their legs back a bit when sitting in a chair or on a bench.
Here's the tiny wall under the seat. You can see how it will make the bench as strong as the Rock of Gibraltar. Note the coated timber screws driven by the amazing Bosch impact driver. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
What Supports the Ends of the Deck Bench?
At each end of the bench, I had small walls that were the same height off the deck as the arms on several chairs I measured around my house. Once again, don’t guess. Find chairs that have arms on them and decide which height is the most comfortable and make your end walls that high.
You can see the two end walls. I ripped down the 2x4s to a specific width so when I cut my Trex Transcend decking to cover it, I'd be able to do it with one piece of decking. Look at the next photo and it will make perfect sense. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
I capped my end walls with 1 x 6 material so it would serve as a great place to put smaller dessert plates and glasses or mugs. So far it’s been perfect.
Look closely at the mitered piece of Trex Transcend. I cut the maximum width of a piece of decking on my table saw. The smaller back dimension of the decking is what the treated wall thickness had to be. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
I’d avoid using any nails when assembling all the components for this bench. You can purchase wonderful coated timber screws that take the place of regular 16d nails. All the framing lumber should be treated to resist rot. CLICK HERE to see an assortment of the timber screws.
The other two pieces of Trex Transcend decking have been ripped with a miter joint and applied. All this work produces a look that the end of the bench is made from a solid piece of wood instead of just overlapping the pieces at the corner. It's more work to do it this way, but I feel it looks better. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
Be sure to purchase treated lumber that’s nice and straight. Store it inside in the shade if you can’t use it right away. You need all the pieces to be nice and straight as you go to assemble all the parts.
Here's the flowers on top of the platform above the bench. How would you like to be sipping a drink sitting on the bench looking at sailboats? Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
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