Building a bench seat

Hi guys,

I'd like to build a corner bench seat in my outdoor area. I like the idea of it being out of some kind of board that I can feather finish to give a concrete look. Do you know if there is a timber sheet available that can be used outdoors without warping or rotting?

Here is an image showing the kind of look I'm going for but I wouldn't use the timber slats.

Any help would be appreciate!

Thanks

Gina

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Comments

ProjectPete

Looks like a cozy spot @Gina - will be great to see what you come up with.

If you're going for a concrete look, why don't you just make it a concrete bench? Brick it up and coat in concrete. Will be longer lasting.

Or am I misunderstanding your plans?

Gina

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3669#Comment_3669

Thanks Pete, I thought of that but my husband wants to be able to remove it easily if we decide to use the space differently down the track. I'm still considering this approach though!

Also, the design I want is pretty tricky with an in-built raised planter box behind so I thought using timber sheets would be easier to cut and install.

I've been told there is a timber or MDF product that doesn't rot or warp though... not sure if I was told a lie there 🙂

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64037#Comment_64037

Great project @Gina. I hope you get lots of helpful ideas and advice for this build as well as many others in future.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. You will soon find we have lots of helpful members like @ProjectPete who are only too happy to share their experience and knowledge.

Please let me know if you need a hand getting the most from the site.

Jason

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64037#Comment_64037

Blueboard (fibre cement sheets) would be a good option and may save you some dollars. Then coat in cement.

Otherwise marine grade ply should do well for you. You could either coat it in cement or just seal it and paint it with a cement texture - I'd suggest it's not as long lasting as the option above.

If you weren't going for the cement look you could just use merbau decking or something similar.

MartyH

You might like to investigate Ekodeck - https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/brands/e/ekodeck

Do a search here on Workshop and you'll see there's members who have used it and posted about their experiences.

Jason

Some of our keen woodworking folk might be able to offer assistance with this bench seat project, including @She_Skills, @Wayne, @darylhewston, @Brad, @Rusty-Saw, @gbaker1512, @Yorky88, @Johnnynl, @woodalwaysworks and @LePallet.

Jason

Yorky88

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3675#Comment_3675

Hi @Gina that bench seating looks fantastic. Can’t wait to see your finished product. I would have to second what @ProjectPete said with either fibro cement sheeting or marine grade plywood with a cement render would probably do the trick for what you are looking for.

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64040#Comment_64040

+1 to Blueboard and Ecodeck.

Gina

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94576#Comment_94576

Thanks so much everyone for all your suggestions. I think I'm going to use either the Blueboard or marine grade ply as most of you have suggested. I'm going to measure and draw up my design this week and hopefully build it on 4/5 Nov so I'll keep you posted on how I go 🙂

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113710#Comment_113710

Looking forward to seeing your design @Gina. Thanks for the update.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113710#Comment_113710

Hi @Gina,

Hope you are staying safe and well.

Just wondering if you ever made any progress on this project? It's been extremely popular with the community so it would be fantastic to see what you created if you proceeded with it.

Many thanks,

Jason

toni13

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124499#Comment_124499

@Gina

Keen to see if this project was done too 🙂

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132639#Comment_132639

Hi @toni13

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the conversation. It's an interesting project and the materials proposed to build it are all very sound. Getting that cement finished look is the key to this project. If you're using Fibre Cement as the outer covering for this project, I suggest using Dulux 4L Fine Texture Exterior Paint to get that cement-finished look without having to render it.

If you're planning on making one for yourself, we would be keen to see your ideas for your area. Any updates you can provide would be much appreciated. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to post them. Our members would be more than happy to provide advice and information should you need it.

We look forward to seeing your project.

Eric

Joshief

@Gina

Hi Gina, just checking to see how this project went. As I myself am doing the same type of seating and wanting to do timber frame for the same reasons. I am however struggling with the design of the construction, so I can workout materials. How did your design turn out and do you have photos of the progress?

Kind regards

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/24319#Comment_24319

Hello @Joshief

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

Let me tag @Gina to make them aware of your question. Just to add to the materials used in the construction. You can use either 90x45 or 70x45 H3 framing timber to create the frame of the seat. The panels used for the seat are the 90 x 19mm Merbau SpecRite Pre-Oiled KD Select Decking. It's also been used as a top cover for the seat at the back.

Was there a specific question you wanted to ask about the bench construction? Please don't hesitate to ask, our members will be more than happy to provide advice and information.

Here are some amazing bench projects our Workshop members have shared:

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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