How to Build a Outdoor Bench

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The construction of this outdoor bench is quite simple.

It has a style that suits your farmhouse or the village you live in.

In terms of durability, the screws we will use will overcome this. 

Building a sitting bench can be both fun and budget-friendly.

Read on for the plans and steps for how to make a sitting bench. 

You will sitting bench Plans, dimensions, details and instructions here.

Review them carefully so you will be ready when it’s time to cut and organize the pieces. 

Sitting bench building process starts with legs and side supports.

Hardwood or pressure-treated boards are a popular choice, as are cedar and cypress.

Pressure-treated timber is easy to stain, durable and budget-friendly. 

1) Starts by checking the list of tools to use for your DIY sitting bench. After collecting the missing tools, focus on purchasing materials. 

2) Measure and cut all the pieces and prepare them. Measure the length twice before doing your cuts. Make sure to label each one. 

Tips: Drill pilot holes in wood pieces using a power drill for easy connections. 

3) Follow the Project details for assembling the wood pieces. 

4) We will use 2 1/2" and 5" Screws. 

5) You will secure use wood glue to the contact surface. 

6) Fill any gaps and frame nail holes with wood putty. 

7) Sand the entire Project with 150-220 grit or more sandpaper and dust pf before painting or staining your finished Project.

Cut List: 

E1 - 4 – 2 x 4 x 17″ legs 5'8'' 

F1 - 4 – 2 x 4 x 15 1/4″ right and left middle supports 5'1'' 

G1 - 2 – 2 x 4 x 79 1/2″ front and rear supports 13'3'' 

H1 - 4 – 2 x 4 x 86 1/2″ top boards 28'10'' Total: 2x4x52'10'' 

List of tools: 

Stain/preferred paint coating:

  1. Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner 
  2. Water-Based Wood Stain mixed: Desert Sand and Pure White
  3. Water-Based polyacrylic

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Notes:

It will be easier to stain the 2 x 4 boards before you finish assembling the outdoor bench, especially if you use two different stain colors.

First, sand the wood with 150 grit or higher sandpaper to achieve a smooth, even surface before staining.

Thoroughly remove all dust from the wood by using a vacuum with a hose attachment, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Then wiping clean with a damp cloth. First, apply Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to the 2 x 4 boards.

Apply the Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and allow it to penetrate the wood for just 1-5 minutes, then remove excess conditioner that has not soaked into the wood with a clean rag Apply Water Based Wood Stain to all of the wood.

You can the color Desert Sand mixed for 2 x 4 top boards and the color Pure White mixed for the legs. What I love about the water-based stain is:

1) how easy clean-up is… 

2) how little odor the stain has… 

3) the colors. 

You can get everything from bold, colorful shades to neutral wood tones to light, creamy cottage and ocean-inspired stains.

Apply the stain using a foam brush, and allow it to penetrate the wood no longer than 3 minutes.

It is very fast-drying, so work in small sections! Wipe the wood with a clean cloth to remove any stain that has not soaked into the wood. 

Allow the stain to dry 24 hours before applying a protective finish.

Tip: It will be easier to wear a pair of gloves while wiping the excess stain to keep our hands clean than to wash our hands.

After the stain has dried 24 hours, apply a thin coat of Water Based Polycrylic (I used the clear matte finish) using a brush.

Allow to dry at least 2 hours, then sand with a very fine 220 grit sandpaper and remove all dust.

Apply a second and third coat, drying and sanding in between each layer. 

The wood will need 3 hours to dry before handling and 24 hours before it will be fully cured.

If you've ever used polyurethane on top of white paint and seen the yellow stains that appeared once the poly dried, you know how important it is to make sure you're using the right topcoat.

* If you wish, you can create different beautiful results with your own color choices.

I prefer to use these colors mostly for coffee table. But beautiful colors will look good anywhere.

General Dimensions 

Side View:
Front View:
Top View:
Bottom View:

Assembly Process: 

Step 1: 

First of all, I should point out that since our sitting bench will be two pieces, you can either repeat all the pieces in two pieces while starting the first, or you can start the second one after you finish the first seating bench.

First, we measure and mark a distance of 1 1/2'2 downwards from the top inner part of the E1 legs, as on our bench.

Then we glue the F1 middle support pieces just below the marked place and on the lower inner part of the E1 foot.

After it dries, we screw it from the outside with 2 1/2'' screws

Step 2: 

Now, since we will use it on the opposite side of the bench, we repeat these operations once again and make it ready.

Step 3: 

Now, we glue the G1 parts to the right and left inner sides of the E1 legs as in the picture and screw them from the outside after drying.

We use 5'' screws here and we have to be careful not to overlap the screws with the other screws.

Step 4: 

Now, we stick the top boards (H1) of our bench on the F1 pieces with 1/4'' space between them and screw them from the tops after they dry. Here too, using 2 1/2'' or 2'' screws will suffice.

Thus, we have completed our outdoor bench project!

If you wish, you can adjust the length of this entryway sitting bench according to your own measurements when cutting or purchasing the lumbers.

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